Archived PNA Foundation Training

Good Grief: Access to Coroner Records – July 19, 2023 (E0719)

As a reporter or editor, are you finding access to your county coroner records closed as tightly as a casket? Is it difficult to get the cause and manner of suspicious deaths in your community? During this session, media lawyers Melissa Melewsky and Paula Knudsen Burke will explain what information you are entitled to and what to do when the public’s right to know is endangered. Open records access to coroner reports as well as recent challenges will be reviewed. Presented in conjunction with Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Ethics for Today’s Journalist – Feb. 17, 2023 (E0217)

Ethical challenges abound in today’s media world. What should you do?

Newsroom veterans as well as inexperienced journalists can face many moral dilemmas. From gun violence to war to political divisions to social media posts and more, violent, unsettling and unprecedented news seems almost constant. How can you make better decisions about what you publish or don’t publish while serving the public good and informing your communities?

Keystone Winners Series: How Best to Tell Your Stories – Aug. 22, 2023 (E0822)

Dive into visual storytelling tools. This session will demonstrate how photos, graphics and sidebars add to your “complete” storytelling as well as what roles each individual in the newsroom plays in the process. Reporters will receive tips on how to incorporate visuals that enhance the readership of their stories (through design) in print and online. This session is in conjunction with the PA News Leaders Association. 

Covering Mental Health Issues – Mar. 23, 2023 (E0323)

Recently, Senator John Fetterman made headlines for seeking treatment for clinical depression. Every day, across the state and country, individuals, families and communities are grappling with the impact of mental health illnesses. Through this webinar you will learn from award-winning journalist Brett Sholtis how to report on this important and powerful topic, covering people as people.

Become an All-Star through Your Social Media Profile – Jan. 16, 2024 (E0116)

Learn social media etiquette, original content generation tips and the essentials to build a professional LinkedIn profile. Gabby Pogel, founder of Crescent Moon Media and social media manager with PNA and MANSI Media, will help you discover the tools needed to optimize your LinkedIn profile. You can increase engagements, leads and connections. Presenter: Gabby Pogel, founder of Crescent Moon Media and social media manager with PNA and MANSI Media

Get the Scoop on the SpotlightNews App – Mar. 29, 2023 (E0329)

Looking to reach more readers, especially younger and possible lifelong news consumers? Register for this informational session to learn more about how you can easily draw students and young readers to your news site.

SpotlightNews is a next-generation news application built to engage college students while helping digitally transform local papers. Spotlight will help drive incremental revenue and provide you with a young audience at no cost. With over 250 partners, including the Centre Daily Times, Bloomberg News, Reuters, Miami Herald and The Daily Collegian, Spotlight supports publishers of all sizes by offering them national reach on a digital platform. We invite you to learn more and to consider this opportunity. Presented by: Tamer Morsy, CEO and Founder, SpotlightNews

The Sunshine Act: Pennsylvania’s Open Meetings Law – Mar. 17, 2023 (E0317)

This session reviews PA’s Sunshine Act with a focus on recent changes and frequently asked questions. Melissa Melewsky, PNA’s Media Law Counsel, explains Pennsylvania’s Open Meetings Law, including reporters’ most common concerns such as remote meetings, agenda requirements, misuse of executive sessions, public comment restrictions, deliberations via email/texts and pursuing penalties for alleged violations. Presented by: Melissa Melewsky, Media Law Counsel, PA NewsMedia Association

Revenue Webinar: The Future of Obituaries – Feb. 6, 2024 (E0206)

Discover new insights into this vital obit category. From building better relationships with funeral homes to setting up self-serve platforms, you’ll learn how to navigate the changing landscape. Hosted by veteran media expert Ron Speechley, this 30-minute educational session will use insights from more than 1,500+ newspapers to: explain the obituary’s historical roots as vital community news; address how generational shifts are impacting end-of-life traditions including obit placement and provide practical ideas on how to be the main destination for anyone looking to place or read obituaries. Presenter: Ron Speechley, VP Sales, Legacy.com

Building Revenue: Finding that needle in the billion dollar political golden haystack – Jan. 9, 2024 (E0109)

Every two years it seems that the money spent by candidates and advocacy groups just keeps growing – regardless of what else may be happening. This election will be no exception – in fact, it will set records… again! This webinar will take a look at what’s happening in Pennsylvania, what races are in play, how to take advantage of a database of candidates, issue groups and their buying agencies, why you should call on your state political party chairs, and a couple of ideas from other newspapers across the country that have proved successful in generating new revenue from this multi-billion dollar category. Presenter: John Kimball, Managing General Partner, Founder and CEO of The John Kimball Group

Revenue Webinar: Prospect, Excite & Sell Using Data Customers Want – Feb. 21, 2024 (E0221)

This webinar, featuring renowned Sammy Papert, will introduce you to the power of Pulse Research. Even if you’re familiar with Pulse, take some time to learn more about how its data can be used. Through this session, all PNA members receive one complimentary QR teaser using any category and any geography desired. Presenter: S. W. (Sammy) Papert, III, president and founder, Wormhole

8 Tips for Prospecting in Ad Sales – July 25, 2023 (E0725)

Prospecting is a vital tool for any sales consultant or ad manager who wants to expand their client base and drive revenue growth. Prospecting involves identifying and nurturing potential customers as you move to establishing valuable connections, building lasting relationships, and closing deals. With seasoned veteran sales leaders as presenters, this session will provide strategies, tips, and best practices to help you succeed.

Advertising Sales Webinar: Using Video to Generate Revenue – Aug. 29, 2023 (E0829)

In today’s challenging sales environment, a variety of revenue streams are needed. From simple, small efforts to large campaigns, learn how you can build revenue through video. With a team of award-winning videographers working closely with their sales department, PA Media Group has successfully generated revenue through video. Production and design are matched with marketing, digital advertising and distribution services to deliver advertisers’ messages to the right audiences on the right devices. Presenter: Salim Michel Makhlouf, Creative Director, Penn Studios, Harrisburg

The Nuts & Bolts of Exceptional Dispatch – Aug. 31, 2023 (E0831)

More and more newspapers are being delivered to subscribers through the USPS. Converting to postal distribution can be challenging as can maintaining timely mail deliveries in your community. Learn best practices for working with your local post office, with insights from Bob Brown of the USPS. Also hear from Holly Lubart of the News/Media Alliances, who will share a national perspective on postal reform, its effect on local mail and what your advocates in D.C. are doing to help.

Multi-Channel Digital Marketing: How to Develop a Cohesive Strategy for Subscription Growth – Feb. 1, 2024 (E0201)

Explore the critical elements in developing, implementing, and monitoring a successful multi-channel campaign, enabling customers to interact seamlessly across their chosen platforms. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn best practices for digital subscription sales. Brought to you in collaboration with the Inter-State Circulation Managers’ Association. Presenter: Sylvia Rodriguez, senior director of digital sales and marketing, Advance Local

Lost in the Weeds: An Employer’s Guide to Navigating Medical Marijuana in the Workplace – May 25, 2023 (E0523)

The legalization of medical marijuana has left many employers uncertain about their legal rights and duties regarding on- and off-site use of marijuana. In Pennsylvania particularly, the case law is still developing, and it can be unclear how the medical marijuana laws interact with other employment law requirements in the state. This webinar will explore the current legal landscape for medical marijuana use in the workplace and provide practical advice for areas including workers’ compensation, drug testing, employment discrimination, and best practices for creating a safe work environment.

The Associated Press offers a variety of helpful sessions. Check out their available archived webinars and other training resources at AP Academy.

The Online Media Campus has been providing high-quality webinars for many years, all of which have been recorded and are available for purchase. Visit their website for more information.