Minnesota Public Radio solved its need for state-wide but very local arts coverage by founding Art Hounds,a crowd-sourced group of local arts experts who provide opinions for the onair/online audio show. The concept led to 1,000 sign-ups, higher community engagement, and better arts coverage. The program could be used by any local media - large or small - to build the local arts franchise. Here's how the program works. more

Audience extension is rapidly becoming a core product for local media because it allows fulfillment of very targeted buys, especially in the mobile geo-targeted space. With thousands of options, here are key criteria to consider when selecting one or more networks. more

Audience extension means selling advertising on other properties not owned by the media site. Usually these buys add audiences targeted by behavioral interest, channel or location. Today, geo-fencing around merchant locations is in high demand, and requires adding audiences from additional media properties and apps to get to any kind of significant buy. This report gives ten best practices media with successful programs do right. more

Dallas Morning News' latest foray into digital agency services, DMNmedia Connect, relies on a partnership with AdTaxi for audience extension, email, and other services. So far the results have been outstanding, tracking annual revenues somewhere above $500,000 according to LMI estimates, while still in its first year. This report shows how the partnership works, including go to market strategies,revenue results and lessons learned. more

This report looks at how SFGate.com content marketing division, run by magazine editor turned native ad guru John Miller, is landing major accounts like Big Five sporting goods and Macy's. Here how the program works including three kinds of content marketing, pricing for the different packages, staffing organization and results. more

The Republican-American in Waterbury, Connecticut upsells most recruitment ads by placing them in niche networks supplied via a partnership with AfterCollege. Here's how the initiative works, including how pricing was set, revenue share for the program, impact on sales team, and results. more

The Minneapolis Star Tribune has published a series of popular e-books, including reporter Curt Brown's true life history about the U.S./Dakota War, In the Footsteps of Little Crow, and a cook book, The Cookie Book: 10 Years of Winning Recipes from our Holiday Baking Contest. The latest book, Giving Up the Ghost, by a local novelist was first serialized in the paper. Here is their step-by-step strategy to publishing a serialized novel and ebook, from selecting the right author to promotion and distribution channels. more

Flash deal stores are adding $50,000 to $112,0000 from short-term promotions. Here is a list of 10 takeaways from top-selling deal stores around the U.S., including the winning formula, as well as tricks to increased revenues culled from dozens of examples in SecondStreet Media's Promotions Lab. more

Video contests are often difficult to do because they require editing and extra technology. But this high school lip dub contest has the right formula to attract major sponsors, school support—and participants. Here's a step-by-step how-to, with the FAQ sheet and recommendations. more