Two newspaper groups to consolidate copy/pagination desks

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Two Georgia newspaper groups are consolidating their copy/pagination desks to become more efficient, streamline processes and improve their products.

Times-Journal, Inc., in Marietta and Southern Community Newspapers, Inc., in Lawrenceville earlier this month announced plans to consolidate their copy desk and pagination staffs.

The process began as each company transitions to the Town News Total CMS (Content Management System). The companies signed agreements with Town News in late 2018 and plan to produce their products on the new systems in early March. Once that's taken place, the consolidation of the pagination process will begin.

Each group currently operates consolidated desk operations within their own company. Times-Journal newspapers' pages are produced at the Marietta Daily Journal and SCNI centralized its copy desk in Lawrenceville at the Gwinnett Daily Post facility.

Once the two companies' staffs consolidate, they will operate from the Marietta location with SCNI employees shifting to Times-Journal employment.

"As our industry continues to evolve, it's mandatory that we find creative strategies to reorganize our enterprise for success in the future," said Michael J. Gebhart, executive vice president and chief operating officer of SCNI. "To that end, teaming up with Times-Journal, Inc. makes a lot of sense for both groups. The cultures of our organizations are very similar, which indicates this will be a natural fit."

Otis Brumby III, owner of Times-Journal, said, "Because our companies share common interests, are of comparable size ... we have been helping each other and working together for several years. It's a natural progression that we take this next step."

Times-Journal publications are the Marietta Daily Journal, Cherokee Tribune, Cherokee Ledger-News, Rome News-Tribune, Polk Standard Journal, Calhoun Times, Catoosa County News, Walker County Messenger and 14 Neighbor newspapers.

SCNI publishes the Albany Herald, Gwinnett Daily Post, Rockdale Citizen, Newton Citizen, Henry Herald, Clayton News and Jackson Progress-Argus.

The consolidated desk will build and process about 1,000 news pages each week.

SCNI's Gebhart said the companies will continue to look for ways to benefit each other. "I'm confident this initial step in our joint venture will serve as a foundation for other operational opportunities between our companies."

Times-Journal, Southern Community Newspapers, Gebhart, CNHI, Town News, Marietta, Brumby, SCNI
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