{"id":243609,"date":"2024-10-29T14:34:28","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T14:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orourkemediagroup.com\/?p=243609"},"modified":"2024-12-13T18:42:14","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T18:42:14","slug":"2024-ytd-performance-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/2024\/10\/29\/2024-ytd-performance-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 YTD Performance Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As we reflect on the year so far, it&#8217;s been an incredible journey of growth, internal promotions, and continued momentum at O&#8217;Rourke Media Group. Here are some of the key milestones we&#8217;ve achieved so far:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Business Growth &amp; Performance:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Revenue Growth:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Total revenue has increased by 8% YOY, which is much lower YTD than expected but still respectable.\u00a0 Cash flow is strong and will finish 2024 up substantially from 2023.\u00a0 We\u2019re seriously and realistically expecting to grow revenue by 20-25% in 2025 excluding the impact of future acquisitions.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expansion Through Acquisitions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Since December 2018, we have successfully completed 13 acquisitions, expanding our footprint and increasing our presence across multiple states. Earlier in the year, we welcomed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Times Publishing Newspapers<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into\u00a0 O&#8217;Rourke Media Group, which added 10 publications with a reach of over 120,000 households every month.\u00a0 Since the acquisition, we\u2019ve already expanded into a new market with the launch of the Huntingdon Valley View, a new monthly in a contiguous market.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Digital Transformation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We continue to make significant investments in our digital operations, which positions us as a leader in omnichannel advertising and digital fulfillment in the markets we serve and well beyond.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Team Leadership:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Our strong leadership team has played a pivotal role in driving these results, with numerous key promotions in 2024 helping to increase sales, editorial, and operational capabilities. Being in a position to promote internally has been very inspiring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Team Promotions:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In January, <strong>Shari Pierce<\/strong> was promoted to Publisher of the Pagosa Springs Sun in Pagosa, CO.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stephanie Wagner<\/strong> was promoted to Publisher of the Herald Democrat in Leadville, CO, back in March.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In June, <strong>Nikki Lee<\/strong> took on the role of Sales Manager for our Minnesota market, which includes the Hudson Star Observer, Republican Eagle, Cannon Falls Beacon, River Falls Journal, and Hastings Star Gazette.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chris Knott<\/strong> was promoted in June to Controller for the company.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Leota Harriman<\/strong> was appointed Publisher of the Las Vegas Optic in New Mexico, also in June.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Bridget Higdon<\/strong> was promoted in July to Publisher of our Vermont market, overseeing the Saint Albans Messenger, Essex Reporter, Colchester Sun, and Milton Independent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Jade Lewandowski<\/strong> took on the role of Vice President of Sales, also in July.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most recently, in October, <strong>Lauren Wong<\/strong> was promoted to Digital Editor for the City Sun Times in Arizona.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>On a Personal Note: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It would impossible for me to highlight all of the incredible people I interact with each day but I wanted to draw special attention to the following 5 people as I work most closely with them:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Joe Paul, VP of Digital<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Joe and I have worked together for the past six years, navigating the transition from our previous company into O&#8217;Rourke Media Group.\u00a0 He has grown tremendously over the years and has established himself as one of the best digital sellers in the industry.\u00a0 His knowledge on digital marketing far exceeds most in this space.\u00a0 You will not find someone more internally motivated and destined to \u201cwin\u201d than Joe. If he is not locked in on ways to improve himself professionally, he is usually found at the gym, reading a book or at home cooking a \u201chealthy\u201d meal.\u00a0 It has been my absolute pleasure to watch him grow over the years and I know this is just the beginning. I have learned a lot from Joe both personally and professionally but I could never tell him that. \ud83d\ude09<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Megan Ivey, Director of Fulfillment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Megan and I go back nearly as far, working together previously before joining O\u2019Rourke Media Group.\u00a0 Currently leading our digital fulfillment team, Megan has played a pivotal role in expanding our agency and improving our capabilities.\u00a0 She\u2019s one of the kindest, most genuine people I\u2019ve ever met, always showing care for her team, the company, and especially her clients. Her thoughtful, people-first approach is evident in everything she does. I can\u2019t think of anyone more suited to lead the fulfillment engine of our digital agency, and I\u2019m confident we\u2019ve only just begun to tap into the potential of what she, and our agency, will achieve in 2025!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Jade Lewandowski, VP of Sales <\/b>&#8211; Jade joined our team in 2023 with years of experience in sales but no experience in the media industry, yet she jumped in headfirst and quickly made her mark. She\u2019s one of the most driven individuals I\u2019ve had the pleasure of working with, continuously pushing both sales and operational processes to improve across the board. Over the past 18 months, Jade has taken on every challenge and consistently exceeded expectations. When I think of the phrase <i>\u201cTough times never last, but tough people do,\u201d<\/i> Jade comes to mind. She\u2019s weathered the ups and downs of the media landscape with resilience and determination, and I\u2019m excited to see her continue to rise to new challenges.\u00a0 I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges 2025 will throw at us and I couldn\u2019t imagine a better person to take on those than Jade.<\/li>\n<li><b>Joe Mathes, VP of Digital Strategy<\/b> &#8211; When I first joined the company, Joe was my go-to resource for anything related to the digital agency.\u00a0 He shared a bold vision for our agency&#8217;s future, and since then, he\u2019s been an integral part of our growth.\u00a0 Joe continually finds innovative ways to improve processes and expand our product mix. Beyond that, he has sold and continues to manage the company\u2019s largest book of business and has been our top digital seller over the past 4 years. Working alongside Joe has been invaluable; he plays a key role in sales training and serves as a trusted sounding board for new ideas. I can\u2019t wait to see what\u2019s in store for the agency in 2025 but I know Joe will be right there running the fast break with us and leading the charge!<\/li>\n<li><b>Jim O\u2019Rourke, CEO <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Where to begin?\u00a0 Jim and I first connected back in 2020, a year before I officially joined the company.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to believe it\u2019s been nearly 4 years, Jim!\u00a0 I once heard someone describe working with Jim as \u201cgoing from JV to Varsity\u201d in the business world, and that couldn\u2019t be more accurate.\u00a0 Over the years, I\u2019ve had many leaders who\u2019ve helped guide and develop me, but none quite like Jim.\u00a0 The knowledge I\u2019ve gained from him spans everything from leadership and acquisitions to employee development and coaching\u2014enough to fill a book! It has been a pleasure getting to know Jim and his family: Denise, Camryn, Gavin and Jamie\u2014and of course, Tag &amp; Mozzy \ud83e\uddae\ud83e\uddae. Some of my favorite moments are conversations we\u2019ve shared at his home, discussing the future of the business.\u00a0 Here\u2019s to many more! If there\u2019s one thing I hope I can teach him, though, it\u2019s sales. Jim might just pick up a tip or two from me\u2014though he may never admit it.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>About O&#8217;Rourke Media Group:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">O\u2019Rourke Media Group is a family-owned, diversified media company that was formed in 2018. Originally just a holding company that owned a few newspapers, O\u2019Rourke Media Group (OMG) has established itself as an industry-leading, digital media company comprising a cutting edge digital agency and an impressive group of award-winning, hyper-local print newspapers and niche magazines.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since our beginning days, our primary focus has been publishing hyper-local, engaging news and information and providing omni-channel, targeted advertising and marketing solutions to local businesses.\u00a0 Our strategy is to stay in these lanes while always exploring new opportunities that can add value to what we provide local businesses and the communities we serve.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We currently do business with over 15,000 small, medium and large advertisers a year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">O\u2019Rourke Media Group now operates in eight states and 37 markets with 50 publications and hyper-local websites. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re far from finished. Our goal is to expand into 100+ markets over the next few years, with no geographic boundaries, growing alongside trusted brands, established relationships, and loyal audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re an owner in the media space and interested in exploring partnership opportunities or transitioning your publication (s), don\u2019t hesitate to reach out. We\u2019re always looking for new ways to grow, both creatively and strategically, and are open to traditional and non-traditional deal structures. At OMG, we prioritize smooth transitions while keeping a strong local presence in each of our markets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re in a transition or thinking of one and are interested in joining this amazing team, please reach out to me when ready.\u00a0 We are always looking to add talent to our team to help grow our business.\u00a0 The opportunities to pave your own way and grow your career are available in our company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are looking forward to a bright and fun 2025, and I hope you will consider joining the best local community newspaper group and digital marketing agency in our space! (I might be slightly biased \ud83d\ude09)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Caleb Anderson<br \/>\nCOO<br \/>\nO&#8217;Rourke Media Group<br \/>\ncanderson@orourkemediagroup.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we reflect on the year so far, it&#8217;s been an incredible journey of growth, internal promotions, and continued momentum at O&#8217;Rourke Media Group. Here are some of the key milestones we&#8217;ve achieved so far: Business Growth &amp; Performance: Revenue Growth: Total revenue has increased by 8% YOY, which is much lower YTD than expected [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":243114,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-243609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-company-updates"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/243609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=243609"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/243609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":324398,"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/243609\/revisions\/324398"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/243114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=243609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=243609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devsiteomg.com\/omgsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=243609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}