MarketInk: Activist Shane Harris adds publisher title with newspaper purchase

Rev Shane Harris speaks at a press conference File photo from livestream Civil and human rights activist and area organizer Shane Harris reported he has purchased the San Diego Monitor Newspaper and Business Journal a publication founded in by the late Willie Morrow a widely-known San Diego civic leader entrepreneur owner of a barber shop creator of the Afro pick and founder of radio station XHRM-FM now known as Magic Harris declared he will have the title of publisher Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed A announcement declared Harris purchased the newspaper from Cheryl Morrow Monitor publisher and daughter of Willie Morrow Cheryl Morrow assumed operations of the Monitor prior to her father s passing in A spokesperson advised Times of San Diego there are no paid subscribers of the tabloid paper About copies are printed each week and digital readers total A print edition of the paper can be mailed for when a reader clicks I want a print edition The paper s first issue under Harris ownership is scheduled for Sunday Dec The spokesperson also explained plans include a weekly publishing schedule as well as a daily email newsletter published Monday through Friday for online subscribers featuring the day s hottest topics along with local weather politics sports and current events The paper under Harris s leadership will focus on expanding readership across the city including increasing the paper s physical presence at locations across the city the spokesperson commented The Monitor s website says it has served as the voice of Black San Diego for nearly four decades A comment announcing the acquisition noted the Monitor has served as a trusted source of information inspiration and empowerment for underrepresented communities My father built the San Diego Monitor to be more than a newspaper he built it to be a voice for our public when limited others were listening stated Cheryl Morrow I am deeply proud to see Shane Harris take up that mantle with integrity vision and heart His leadership represents a continuation of my father s legacy one rooted in truth empowerment and system to the people The Monitor s future is in strong capable hands Harris is an ordained minister liberal political analyst and the founder of a San Diego-based civil rights nonprofit organization called the People s Association of Justice Advocates In October Harris opened S Harris Communications a for-profit community strategy and communications firm that blends storytelling strategy and social impact initiatives The firm s offices are now located in La Mesa In Harris ran as a Democrat for San Diego City Council District to replace Monica Montgomery Steppe now a San Diego County Supervisor But he withdrew from the race to focus on approach and charity work A comment about the Monitor s acquisition declared Harris represents a new kind of publisher one who fuses business acumen civil leadership and social consciousness into a media movement His vision extends beyond publishing it is about shaping a media heritage that serves truth and elevates society perspectives I m not just stepping into a publisher s role I m stepping into a movement Harris declared in the declaration This movement calls for honest fair and balanced journalism beholden to no special interests This moment calls for honest fair and balanced journalism journalism that reflects the whole truth and empowers the people it serves The Monitor will stand as a beacon for credible storytelling accountability and civic unity in a time when it s needed largest part The announcement mentioned Harris will lead a strategic transformation for the Monitor expanding its digital presence enhancing investigative reporting and strengthening its role as a trusted voice for San Diego and beyond Harris plans to expand the paper from being a Black paper to a publication with a citywide presence The publication will feature expanded coverage of business civic affairs schooling and social impact while embracing modern multimedia storytelling to engage a new generation of readers the announcement revealed San Diego AMA to host Art of Marketing conference Oct The American Marketing Association San Diego chapter will present the Art of Marketing a day-long conference from a m to p m Friday Oct at the Knauss Center of Business Tuition at the University of San Diego The event is open to the citizens AMA administrators stated the conference will offer a blend of creativity strategic insight and forward-thinking innovation Attendees will explore the future of marketing through immersive sessions thought-provoking panels and hands-on networking opportunities From tourism and sports marketing to artificial intelligence and new media the conference will cover the full spectrum of modern marketing About marketers and business owners are expected to attend AMA explained Speakers will include representatives from PlayStation San Diego FC Sports San Diego Compass Real Estate Q Insights SeaWorld San Diego KPBS SDG E and Gaylord Resorts Four campaign tracks offering the following The Storyteller Explore the power of authentic brand narratives and emotional engagement The Specialist Delve into strategies for reaching niche audiences and enhancing customer experience The Strategist Gain insights into staying competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape The Trend-setter Examine the convergence of creativity and emerging technologies such as AI and Web The morning will include a session designed specifically for business leaders In the afternoon the theme is sports marketing The conference will culminate in a fireside discussion led by renowned brand strategist Matt Prince formerly with Taco Bell and The Walt Disney Company and at the moment head of earned media and brand social at KFC The Art of Marketing Conference reminds us why marketing is not just a discipline it s a dynamic force for change mentioned Nick Hofer chief strategy officer at SolarTech and AMA San Diego board of directors president We re thrilled to convene the brightest minds and boldest ideas empowering professionals to lead with creativity strategy and purpose This event is more than a gathering it s a catalyst for the future of our industry in not only San Diego but nationally Admission tickets are priced at for students for AMA members and for nonmembers For registration information visit www artofmarketingsd org Majority Americans use AI but that doesn t mean they trust it More Americans are using artificial intelligence as part of their daily lives but they don t want it near their media and entertainment A new survey on consumer behavior from iHeartMedia identified that of respondents use AI calling it helpful and time saving but distrust the apparatus when it comes to media and entertainment preferring human-driven content As broadcasted by the Hollywood Reporter two-thirds of those surveyed feared job loss related to AI with Gen Z and lower-income consumers among the the bulk worried while the same number feared AI could go to war with humans Also iHeartMedia discovered that more than half of consumers were not aware of AI as late as two or three years ago While usage and knowledge is now up the survey also discovered distrust among even those who incorporate AI into daily living A lot of people say that I m using AI but there s still this desire and this need for AI to be a tool for humans rather than a replacement Lainie Fertick president of Insights for iHeartMedia reported the Hollywood Reporter iHeartMedia s survey conducted by Critical Mass Media included a sample of about U S adults The results were presented to marketers at the company s AudioCon event in New York earlier this month Also the survey identified consumers are deeply divided on a multitude of hot-button issues ranging from the cabinet s COVID- response to the MeToo movement to the death of Charlie Kirk What was fascinating about this is that a consumer s political affiliation or what party they identified with was not the greatest predictor of how they answered these questions Instead what media they were fed algorithmically is the best predictor Fertick explained The survey also exposed the only major news story that the majority Americans agreed upon is believing the Epstein files are a cover-up with agreeing and who believe no new revelations are in the files Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based constituents relations and marketing consultant His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego