During a fellowship, Missouri Press Service launched a suite of digital services designed to help community newspaper publishers boost their relationships with ad clients while generating additional revenue. Services range from creating websites and social media pages for newspapers’ ad clients to training newspaper staffs to sell targeted YouTube and display ads.

Since MPS, a Missouri Press Association affiliate, will serve as a “back office” for newspapers for this project, it will share in the net revenue from digital products sold, according to Mark Nienhueser, former advertising director of MPS and project leader. According to Nienhueser, not all state press associations have the manpower or resources to set up similar services and work with vendors. As a result, MPS is offering a white label version to other press associations.