As a regular feature of the Print Observer, we will be posting MediaBytes - brief Q&A's with some of the publications and advertisers that work with MediaBids. For this first post, Brian Gay, Executive Director of the MFCP (Midwest Free Community Papers), answers a few brief questions about his publications, the print industry and the web.

Q: (MB) How did your association get started? Who are the member publication's typical readers?
A: (MFCP) Midwest Free Community Papers and Midwest AdNet (MFCP and MAN) is an association of free local papers serving areas in 10 states in the Midwest. MFCP was formed 53 years ago when publisher came together to discuss common concerns and to share advice and experiences about this new industry. In the early days, theses papers were owned and operated as small family businesses. Often the only vacation the family got was attending the association meetings. Being from the Midwest our member publications reach many C & D markets. In some communities, our papers are the only widely distributed source of local news. As an industry we view advertising as news that people want to read. Almost all of our member papers have circulation audits. The numbers are extremely good for MFCP.

Q: (MB) How has the web impacted your sales and circulation?
A: (MFCP) Our papers have not seen a drop in circulation like the paid papers have because as the population grows we add new circulation area. The goal is to cover 100% of the market served. The web has had an impact on the papers. The publishers see some erosion of ads going to the web. Many of them have web sites and promote that to their readers.

Q: (MB) Without using a specific advertisers name, give us an advertiser’s success story that they had as a result of advertising in your group of publications.
A: (MFCP) We have many success stories. However the one that stands out in my mind is a small company that buys furs from trappers. For the last 9 years we have been running ads in 20 to 25 papers letting the trappers know when the buyer will be in their town. This small business has experience substancial growth because of these ads.

Q: (MB) What is the greatest challenge faced by your publications?
A: (MFCP) Like many companies, finding quality employees is a constant challenge. This is especially true when hiring sales people.

Q: (MB) Are your publications making any notable changes in 2008?
A: (MFCP) We continue to be extremely flexible and are constantly searching for new opportunities. In 2008, MFCP will be developing several new programs to help our members utilize the web more.  

To view print advertising opportunities with the MFCP, please Click Here.