Welcome back from the holidays. I hope that you enjoyed at least a few restful hours with family and friends. It’s that time of year, so I want to share a few things that brought the Source to where we are today, and what you should expect from us in 2019. 2018 – A critical […]
Jay Allred
Jay Allred is the CEO of Source Media Properties, which includes three local news sites, a full service digital marketing agency, and an artificial intelligence startup. The Source Brand Solutions marketing team creates compelling messaging for clients all over the United States.
The Source newsrooms have become known for their tightly focused local coverage, entrepreneurial culture, and national leadership in audience engagement and the practice of solutions journalism. Source reporters serve nearly a half million users a month across four counties in North Central Ohio.
He was a 2022 Sulzberger Fellow at the Columbia Journalism School, where his project focused the development of easy-to-use SAAS tools for local newsrooms around the globe.
Jay serves as a board member of LION Publishers and is deeply involved in the civic life of his adopted hometown of Mansfield, Ohio. He is married to a fantastic woman, has 2 grown daughters, and adopted a couple of mutt dogs.
Posted inBusiness
Mansfield hosts two major entrepreneurship events; Yes, you read that correctly
If the organizers of Startup Weekend Mansfield and the Richland Idea Audition have their way, this September and October will be busy with innovation and entrepreneurship in all forms, ultimately leading to nearly $10,000 in funding for the winners of an innovative pitch competition. The two events started out independently. But recently they collaborated with […]
Posted inColumns
Celebrate ‘Lovin’ It LOCAL’ month with Richland Source, McDonald’s, and Sun Graphics
MANSFIELD, Ohio – For the third time, Richland Source, your local McDonald’s, and Sun Graphics have partnered to make April “Lovin’ It LOCAL” month in Richland, Ashland, and Crawford Counties. We are celebrating how the word “local” can apply to a huge brand like McDonald’s, right alongside slightly smaller brands like Richland Source and Sun Graphics. […]
Posted inRising from Rust, SXSW
It’s time to re-imagine Mansfield from the inside out
On March 8, 41 local citizens — with visionary support from the Richland County Foundation — will take a big step forward in the re-imagination of Richland County’s greatest opportunity, Mansfield’s central business district. I’m privileged to be part of this effort and want to take this opportunity to tell you about it and what […]
Posted inOpinion
Richland Source to wind down mobile app on Feb. 5
Sometimes you do things and they work out great, and sometimes… well… not so much. Unfortunately, the latter has been the case with the Richland Source mobile app for some time now. On or about Feb. 5, the app will be removed from both the Apple and Android stores and will no longer be part of […]
Posted inOpinion
Less is more with new (and improved) e-mail newsletters
Quality typically beats quantity. We learned that during a review of our e-mail newsletters at the end of 2017. Bottom line, we were sending too many newsletters to readers, which was eroding the user experience. Users told us they would rather get one or two newsletters per day and breaking news as it happens. As […]
Posted inOpinion
If you rely on Facebook to deliver local news, you need to read this
Over the next few months, posts from brands of all kinds – including from local news sites like Richland Source – will appear significantly less often in your Facebook news feed, according to Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This is a big deal for readers of local news. Zuckerberg made the major announcement Thursday night, and it will almost […]
Posted inOpinion
Crow droppings temporary, Mansfield’s inaction seems permanent
In the past two days, on separate trips, I’ve driven past the city-owned campground on Clear Fork Reservoir and walked through Mansfield’s Central Park. Both spots have drawn controversy, either at city council recently or widely reported in local media. Both are important locations for recreation. Right now, both are terrible looks for Mansfield. Most critically, […]
Posted inNews
Escape Plan 3 has 1-day garage sale on Oct. 11 in Mansfield
MANSFIELD — The production team from the recently completed Hollywood production of Escape Plan 3 is holding a garage sale in Mansfield. Available for sale will be a large amount of nearly new office furniture, set dressing, office equipment, and miscellaneous items that were either used in the filming or production of the film. The […]
Posted inOpinion
Newspapers are eating themselves to stay alive – why you should care & what you can do
MANSFIELD — Though our news continues to be free to read, we are asking you to purchase a membership at the Source today and here’s why. It’s no secret the newspaper business is undergoing a huge transformation, and the uncertainties are endless. But two things are clear: national chains are growing larger in search of […]