The New York Press Association, which represents local newspapers throughout the State, has hired Korey Kay & Partners of Manhattan to develop and implement an integrated marketing campaign emphasizing the importance and vitality of community newspapers.

“Forget about what the doomsayers are pronouncing, community newspapers are alive and well, growing and here to stay,” said Michelle Rea, Executive Director of the New York Press Association. In fact, New York’s community newspapers have experienced unprecedented growth during the past ten years. More than 750 community newspapers, including 129 ethnic newspapers, with a combined distribution of 12 million, are published in New York.

Community newspapers remain a vital force and maintain a strong business position, said Rea. They serve real, physical communities – actual places where people live, vote, pay taxes, cheer for the high school girl’s basketball team, are concerned about crime and safety issues, donate money to local hospitals, belong to local fitness centers, and shop for groceries, snow tires, jewelry, hardware, etc.

Community newspapers chronicle people’s lives, and alert citizens to the threats, opportunities, troubles, and joys in their community – providing the kind of news that has serious meaning in local households – the kind of news that can’t be found anywhere else. As long as physical communities exist, there will be a need for local newspapers to connect them.

“We selected Korey Kay because they hit the nail on the head with the insight, creative execution, and media selection that they delivered during our Agency review process,” Rea noted

“We are excited to be working with New York’s community newspapers on this effort," said Allen Kay, chairman of Korey Kay & Partners. "What makes it even more special to us is that we strongly believe in the role of the community newspaper, and its enduring roots, which is why you see many of our client’s ads appearing there."