LACROSSE, Wis. – The Lee Enterprises subsidiary that publishes the Winona Daily News announced that matching advertising credits of $250 to $15,000 will be offered to local merchants. Under the program, advertisers receive a 50% discount on purchases of space. Sean Burke, publisher of the Daily News and other papers in Lee’s River Valley group, announced the program in his subsidiary papers in LaCrosse, Winona and Chippewa Falls. Burke didn’t specify the total available for each paper, although he did say the program succeeds a similar earlier project that offered $200,0o0 total in credits. Whatever the total now, the money will be divvied among all three River Valley dailies. Whether the money will be further divided among the company’s weeklies and shoppers was unstated. The new program runs through December. It is part of a $5 million chain-wide credit initiative announced from Lee’s corporate headquarters in Davenport, Iowa.
Earlier: Newspaper chain offers ad discount grants
Almanac: Lee Enterprises
Burke: Ads discounted 50%
In his own words:
“This program offers matching marketing credits to local businesses to help them navigate the ongoing changes brought about by the COVID-19 virus.”
“We can put together the right programs to help local businesses not only adapt to change, but to thrive in it.”