Great Journalists, Producing Great Results
We recognized a decade ago that high school sports were successful subscription drivers. My team was among the first in the nation to put prep sports behind a paywall at the News-Journal in Wilmington, DE. We leveraged that success through sports video, podcasts, and ESPN-like show called The Red Zone Road Show. Each drove revenue, subscription-growth, and strong community engagement. We pioneered lists that featured GOATs, best-of’s, and features of student-athlete profiles.
SUBSCRIPTION DRIVERS
Recognizing that high schools sports was a “thing,” in 2016 APP created the Jersey Shore Sports Award to drive awareness and revenue around content that resonated with readers. The regional, all-star High School Sports Awards program (featuring Eli Manning in June 2016) was a hit with student-athletes, coaches, proud parents, and communities. It also drove new subscriptions and sponsorships.
The Red Zone Road Show
and the Battle Room
The APP launched the Red Zone Road Show with sports experts, bringing fans, players and coaches together for a high-energy, pre-game show, just days before the high school game of the week. This traveling road show was a favorite among students, athletes, parents and communities. The Battle Room, a weekly video series, captured the essence of what happens behind the closed doors of the football locker room: Pure magic. In these segements during high school football season, the APP took viewers inside the locker room to hear coaches’ fiery pre-game speeches.
Saving Barnegat Bay
The Jersey Shore is known for more than beaches and boardwalk antics. The state's coastline is a rich, environmental resource often threatened by man-made problems. This deep dive, which won an EPA Award, served as the basis for Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to protect the ecosystem that makes it home along the Jersey Shore.
