Stephen C. Johnson Email & Phone Number

Lima, Oh, Us

New Bern, North Carolina, United States

Lima, Ohio Area

the419 reported stories and features that would not have been told or become a three minute sound burst on electronic media, seldom would find room in the local newspaper. It is often proven that its media becomes the lens of a community to people not living or working there. the419 focused on offering a different and more positive view of community events, activities with focus on its citizens and their accomplishments which other local media chose not cover. The community trusted that the419 would tell stories as it’s masthead stated it was ‘locally owned, locally operated and community focused’.the419 achieved +30,000 loyal readers in less then two years. the419 really became the true lens of what was positive about the community its accomplishments and its people. While achieving a very loyal readership audience, which, continued to grow it, choosing to transform the model from a print to a digital product still allowing readers to print on demand. While the419 quickly achieved a high readership market share, the traditional baby boomer managers were reticent to understand the new media measurements of impressions and the trend to mobile and tablet. Few understood the digital age was not in the future but now in the present. We chose to suspend publication but when asked about the experience I could easily respond: “We had a great team full of passion and talent, committed to a high level of business ethics and editorial excellence. And believed in Simon Sinek's book ‘Start with Why” -- its not what you do its why you do it.

New Bern, North Carolina, United States

International Newspaper Marketing Association (INMA) member. A marketing and consulting company serving major metro media companies primarily in the United States. Expertise in Marketing, Single Copy Sales, Leadership development, executive recruitment and home delivery retention and acquisition techniques.

California, United States

the419.com a start up print and online operation

Lima, Ohio Area

Group publisher for the daily Van Wert Times Bulletin, the weekly Ada Herald, The Putnam Sentinel and the Columbus Grove Vidette. Accepted position at Times Bulletin Media to facilitate the transition of the company after its purchase by Delphos Herald, Inc. Position required the ability to implement succession planning and niche products development.

Irvine, California

Conducted industry “best practices” for all Freedom properties focused on aggressive marketing, customer acquisition and retention tactics. Introduced self developeed ' 7 Touches of a Customer' & 'Brown Paper' your internal audit system both to enhance revenue while reducing costs per aqusition. Served as resource to all publishers, General Managers & circulation executives. Identified, developed and assisted next generation of Freedom Community Newspaper circulation executives for internal development and success.

Lima, Ohio Area

Johnson says his greatest accomplishment while serving as Publisher of The Lima News is changing the community perception and priorities of the paper. Within his first two years, The Lima News earned the highest percentage of positive responses in Freedom Communications and the highest increase in positive responses in the country when an outside national survey asked residents "Does your newspaper care about the community?" To quote Johnson he volunteers "Truly a time where many of skill sets were tested and applied to assist a community with its image and ability to attract new business leaders".

Savannah, Georgia Area

Served as consultant for PC&A, a media consulting firm with expertise in print newspapers, digital media and the radio industries. This was a valuable learning time on how to focus on a properties strengths and weaknesses while developing new strategies and tactics for individual and group parties success.

San Francisco Bay Area

Promoted to Vice President Circulation. The San Francisco Chronicle (700 union employees & $120M revenue operation) in Post Joint Operating Agreement for Hearst Newspapers. Recruited to rebuild and turn around the organization operationally and replace obsolete marketing model. Accomplished both goals, completed transition of the operation through the JOA end of agreement and concurrently moved the newspaper from 15th to 10th largest circulation metro daily in the United States. Recruited and developed one of the most recognized innovative circulation marketing teams in the country along with new models and focus on retention and initial acquisition channels to include direct mail, credit card and customer service initiatives.

Hartford, Connecticut Area

Thomson Newspapers was a new marketing model concept publishing six daily and weekly newspapers, a niche product division and centralized corporate offices (600 employees and $65M revenue operation). Initially recruited as Vice President Circulation, North America with responsibility for marketing, executive recruiting and circulation strategic planning for the then 143 newspaper properties in the US and Canada. Used extensively for due diligence in identifying and reviewing potential acquisitions.

Hartford, Connecticut Area

Originally recruited as VP of Circulation for North America before being promoted to President & CEO of the Penn-Ohio Strategic Marketing Group. Required extensive due diligence for acquisition and product development planning.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Served as Assistant Circulation Director, Marketing with responsibility for marketing, customer service and single copy operations (3,000 employees and $150M revenue). Credited with major role in the attainment of becoming the largest metro newspaper in the country in 1994 and restructuring the department operation. Creator of several now industry copied marketing programs. Initiated and developed innovative direct mail and single copy sales programs.

San Bernardino, California

Following extensive travel and six years being on the road with USA Today, requested and received assignment on the West Coast serving as Circulation Director for the San Bernardino Sun, Gannett. A turnaround and rebuilding situation which was accomplished in eighteen months.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Named as Director of National Sales for the launch of USA Today in 1982 with responsibilities for the first twenty launch markets. Created the highly successful Blue Chip newspaper program along with personally handling national key accounts. Promoted to Director of New Market Development serving in that role until being promoted to Gannett Corporate staff as Circulation Director for the Eastern States. Responsibilities for the next several years were often split between USA Today and other Gannett newspapers to include its Central and Southern Divisions.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Promoted to Corporate Field Operations Staff as Central & Eastern Circulation Operations Director (Gannett/USA Today with six General Manager direct reports and collateral support to 18 Gannett newspapers).

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Became national expert in single copy sales and earned promotion as Senior Distribution Executive, Gannett Satellite Information Network completing initial planning and operations for the launch of USA Today.

Received rapid promotions achieving Majority in 8 years. Honorably discharged Major, Infantry 1980 from selective service group.Selected and served on assignment in the Pentagon as a 1st Lieutenant and received a commendation for exceptional service from the Chief of the Army Reserves. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal in recognition of having demonstrated outstanding leadership and performance of his duties.Served as Commanding Officer, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 363rd Regiment, 4th Brigade (CST) 91st Division (Tng) Awarded a Unit citation from the City of San Jose, California for Community Action Work.Awarded Certificate of Achievement during Annual Training 1971 for the Commanding Generals Sunrise Breakfast, Laguna Seca, California, Fort Ord. Excellence Performance, Superb Support and Logistical Accomplishment.Created and lead "Operation Baked Alaska" which provided emergency equipment in a coordinated effort involving the Army Reserves, US Air Force Reserves and the US Navy SeeBees to remote communities in Alaska as a community out reach initiative.Prepared written answers from constituents for the executive branch US Senators and Congressmen and the President. Researched rules and rewrote the Junior Officers Council for Army Reserve wide implementation.Chosen as attendee to the US Army War College National Security Seminar, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania June 1981