School is in full swing and everyone is settling into fall. The change in seasons brings out the hustle and bustle in all our markets. This year, it also brings election season. Whether we’re mostly print, mostly digital or a combination of both, our communities will turn to us for credible and timely news and information leading to the November election.
By Bill Patterson, TPA President 2024-25
By BILL PATTERSON, TPA President 2024-25
Thanks to everyone who attended the Texas Press Association convention for your interest in finding the model that's right for your market as the world around us keeps changing.
As I mentioned at the closing luncheon, I'm a big believer in change. As I sit here today and as we approach Back To School time, I can’t help but think about how it has changed.
By Bill Patterson, TPA President 2024-2025
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as president of the Texas Press Association for 2024-25. What a great organization with great energy, passion and enthusiasm for the work we all do every day!
While our business is filled with daily challenges, for me it’s also filled with excitement about what the future holds — especially the possibilities of a digital future. If you haven’t begun serious discussions about disrupting your traditional business model and building a digital future, I strongly suggest you do so.
By Ken Esten Cooke, TPA President 2023-2024
“Why would you want to sit still in a world that’s forever moving?”
— Philosopher Luc Jogart
And just like that, my year as Texas Press Association president comes to an end. I have been so proud to serve great people, both TPA members and staff, some of whom I’ve known and looked up to since I was a child.
A trip to Galveston Island was the Cooke family vacation most every year growing up, so I love that place. My father, Bill Cooke, would rent a cabin on the west end of the island to get away from the grind of publishing The Rockdale Reporter. We’d spend a week or more hunting sharks’ teeth, listening to Willie Nelson, sunning and reading paperbacks. Having followed him in the publishing ranks, I realize the value of doing a whole lot of nothing while on vacation. The downtime and the waves restored our souls.
Just two days into the change of seasons as I write this, I am on a spring-cleaning mission. Sure, we’re addressing the dust bunnies under our bed and the mess left by our college sons’ Christmas and spring break visits. But mostly, for me, it’s about cleaning up my email inbox, which has become a constant distraction.
By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President, 2023-24
The world seems to be moving at light speed. The somewhat slower pace we used to have at a weekly publication has ramped up exponentially since the dawn of the internet. In addition to our print products, we now publish websites, email newsletters, social media posts, videos, podcasts and more.
By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President 2023-24
We crawl into a booth or sit ourselves at a table. It can be during cold times of the year, where we can’t wait for the hot coffee to be poured, or a sweltering summer day, when we reflexively chug the complimentary water. But no matter the time of year, I value these breakfasts or lunches with Terry Collier, the retired publisher of the Fredericksburg Standard.
By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President 2023-24
As this is written, the holiday period brings both gratitude and gifts. As we turn the calendar page on another year, it’s time to add a third “G” — grit — to face a still-challenging publishing environment.
A new year brings a chance to hit the refresh button. We’ve all done our 2024 budgets and we now set out with energy and optimism for a fresh start. We do so knowing our industry will continue to be challenged, but with a determination to do our best and serve our communities.
By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA president 2023-24
Hiring, firing and personnel issues are my least favorite parts of being a publisher. Most of us have had to deal with a bad hire – a surly receptionist, perhaps, or a reporter who shoots his mouth off on social media.
We’ve got to work constantly on good hires to build strong teams.