Without public notices, the Mercury, a 138-year-old newspaper in Manhattan, Kan., would have lost money in 2021. Instead, it eked out a tiny profit. The state-mandated publication of zoning changes, foreclosures, government bidding processes, and the like by newspapers has become crucial for the industry amid falling circulation and ad sales moving elsewhere. But that lifeline is under threat, and the Mercury is playing an important role in the fight to hold on to the business.
The paper is testing Column, a service that helps publications digitize notices to run them on their websites as well as in print, so they can head off political efforts to move the disclosures to government sites. The Mercury is also funding the startup, which was founded by Jake Seaton, 27, whose great-great-grandfather bought the paper in 1915 and whose father, Ned Seaton, is now publisher.
This story is from the May 09, 2022 edition of Bloomberg Businessweek.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 09, 2022 edition of Bloomberg Businessweek.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App
The rise of AI and the fall of Twitter could create opportunities for upstarts
Running in Circles
A subscription running shoe program aims to fight footwear waste
What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort
Nine wild secrets from the staff at Turtle Bay, who have to manage everyone from haughty honeymooners to go-go-dancing golfers.
How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto
The best restaurant in the world just began its second pop-up in Japan. Here's what's cooking
The Last-Mover Problem
A startup called Sennder is trying to bring an extremely tech-resistant industry into the age of apps
Tick Tock, TikTok
The US thinks the Chinese-owned social media app is a major national security risk. TikTok is running out of ways to avoid a ban
Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria
A UK company produces colors with less water than conventional methods and no toxic chemicals
Pumping Heat in Hamburg
The German port city plans to store hot water underground and bring it up to heat homes in the winter
Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge
Squid's ability to flourish in warmer waters makes it fitting for a diet for the changing environment
New Money, New Problems
In Naples, an influx of wealthy is displacing out-of-towners lower-income workers
