The Valley Reporter, serving the Mad River Valley and Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski communities since 1971. Local news and local views of Waitsfield, Warren, Fayston, Moretown and Duxbury.
By Matt Krauss
The largest nonprofit media organization in Vermont history will soon have 117 employees, annual budget of $18 million and $91 million in assets. Seven Days has around 43 employees and VTDigger around 22. How many at your local newspaper? Their budget? Local newspapers will soon face new competition for scarce ad revenue, talent acquisition/retention, fundraising/donations and future subscribers. The outcome? Put a large fish into your aquarium. What happens to the small fish?
The CEO vows increased news coverage (20 current news employees), integrated fundraising, new audiences, increased local content/programming, etc. They will create, market and display content on integrated audio, video, digital and new platforms. An ascendent multimedia giant covering all of Vermont and beyond as far as Montreal. Millions in cash reserves. Who competes with this?