Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

Most folks paying any attention to the world of the printed word have probably heard nothing but bad news for some time, so it would seem to fly in the face of reason to start a new publication in these tough times.

But that’s exactly what Joey Warner has done in creating SportsReports, Mobile’s publication covering the local sports scene. While some of the country’s big dailies are bleeding red ink, smaller newspapers and “niche” publications supplying local news are holding their own and even thriving, and Warner hopes to take advantage of that trend.

SportsReports is a tabloid-sized publication (think the same size as Lagniappe) that publishes 5,000 copies once a month aimed at covering the local sports scene in a way that is decidedly different than that of the daily newspaper. Warner, 45, has worked as a sports “stringer” for the Press-Register for the past five years, but decided last year to give his own publication a shot. The first SportsReports hit the streets in November of last year with 1,000 copies.

“Working with the Press-Register gave me an idea of what the sports section can cover and what the Neighbors section can cover,” Warner explained. “I wanted to cover what they couldn’t cover. I wanted us to become a community-friendly sports publication and cover the sports not being covered. Our slogan is ‘Promoting spirit, enthusiasm and sportsmanship.’”

In addition to trying to thoroughly cover the local high school sports scene, Warner says SportsReports also features a section called “Then and Now,” looking back at the athletic endeavors of someone in years gone by, and catching up with what that person is doing now. The publication also features a spiritual section and regular features on running, hunting and outdoors activities. There is also a sports medicine column.

Warner says the publication is not a regurgitation of what’s in the daily, but an effort to blaze a new trail.

“What we’re trying to do is not do much repeat. We do not want to repeat what’s printed in the Press-Register,” he said. “We do more features and try to highlight the athletes. I try to mention the athletes’ names and promote their accomplishments and bring out the good things they’re doing. When I founded the paper, I wanted it to be sports reports for everything from 5-year-old T-ball to the professional who might have retired. We try to keep it clean and positive.”

Warner says SportsReports is light on stats and play-by-play, but attempts to provide the behind-the-scenes information that might not make it in the bigger publications.

Of course, as for any new publication, attracting advertising is the toughest part of the road for SportsReports. Warner says the feedback from readers has been amazingly positive, but that hasn’t yet translated into the kind of advertising revenue that can make the publication profitable. Still, he is growing SportsReports. The new issue will hit the streets June 5, he said, and will move up to 24 pages.

“We’re in the process of getting established. It’s been difficult with the lack of advertisement and the lack of support,” Warner said. “We’re going to just keep pecking away. I know this thing can succeed. It’s in real need of support – local support in advertising and local support in information.”

While Warner oversees much of the business side of the operation and works with a cadre of freelance writers, he says the publication is laid out by Matt Johnson, a graphic arts instructor at the University of South Alabama who has helped since the inception.

SportsReports is distributed at local businesses mostly in the midtown and downtown areas, Warner said. A list of distribution spots can be found at the Web site www.sportsreports.biz.

Warner says his goal for the first year is to see SportsReports putting out 15,000 copies an issue.

WKRG wins Murrows

The folks at WKRG TV-5 took home three regional Edward R. Murrow awards recently.

Reporter Tiffany Craig and photographer Arnell Hamilton were honored for “Best Spot News” for their coverage of a murder investigation in Citronelle. Craig and photographer Jud Hulon were also honored for “Best Continuing Coverage” for their piece “Mobile’s Makeover,” an hour-long documentary on the major new industries remaking the Mobile area.

In addition, wkrg.com was named “Best Broadcast-Affiliated Web site.”

All of the regional winners will now go on to the national Murrow contest.

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

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