Don’t Like the News? Go Out and Make Your Own!

Indie Telco Local Content Workshop Information

Don’t Like the News? Go Out and Make Your Own!

by Ken Pyle ([email protected]), Viodi, LLC

November 3, 2004 Issue

One of my favorite activities is to sit down with someone from an independent telco and learn about their community. I guess the reason they are called independent is, despite the many things they have in common, each IOC is different. This uniqueness is really a reflection of the communities they serve and the individuals that make these companies successful. It is refreshing to see uniqueness in a country that has become homogenous where the big box retailers, fast-food restaurants and national media are the same or close facsimiles of each other, regardless of geography.

So, I was thrilled to invite Larry Taylor of Moundville Telephone to sit with me for a food court dinner at the Crab Tree mall last week (kind of ironic that we ate there, given what I just wrote). Larry had attended the Local Content Workshop earlier that day, so this was a great chance for me to learn a little bit more about their operation. Larry had decided to stick around an extra day, so he could visit Apex, North Carolina, recipient of a “Best Small Town in America” award. Larry is intimately involved in the revitalization of Moundville’s downtown, so Apex’s secrets were of interest to him.

Moundville is working with the other businesses in town, such as the bank and newspaper to rejuvenate their town. They are working with both the big players, like the Post Office, as well as individuals, such as artisans as they work through a plan to help their community survive and thrive against the growth of housing tracts and suburban strip malls. One of their tools for keeping the community together is their newspaper, as it provides a voice to reach members of a community that would most likely be largely ignored by the newspaper 15 miles away in the big city.

The thing that is unique about this newspaper is that its owners also own the telephone company. This is the first I have heard about a telephone company being this closely involved with their local newspaper. This is brilliant. What a great way to increase and strengthen the connections with a community.

Larry explained that they have a full-time editor, who also does the layout. The electronic version of the paper is transferred electronically to their printer and mailed to the subscribers. There are four reporters from the community who write the occasional article. A newspaper like this could provide a great foundation for the creation of local video content.

The epiphany from my conversation with Larry is that starting and publishing a newspaper is something that telcos whose areas are underserved with local news should consider. It may sound daunting at first, but, with the proper organization, it could break-even or even make a bit of a profit. Obviously, there would have to be an independent editor, but the telco would have an opportunity to “advertise” for free.

The sources of content are plentiful as the churches, schools, local government and clubs all have messages they want to convey. Local merchants would see it as a viable way to reach the community and would gladly pay for sponsorship or advertisements. A corresponding email/web site would be relatively easy. Even the distribution could involve the community, as it would be pretty easy to imagine kids distributing with old fashioned paper routes.

I am excited about this idea, as it dovetails nicely with what we have been discussing in the Local Content Workshops by providing a foundation for the day when the telco moves into creating its own video content. Further, it is another way a telco can unite with other local businesses and civic organizations to fight the complete homogenization of America.

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