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Your connection to industry & member news | Sept. 4, 2025
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File your USPS postal statement by Oct. 1
- Oct. 10 for publications issued more frequently than weekly
- Oct. 31 for publications issued weekly or less frequently but more frequently than monthly
- First issue produced after Oct. 1 for monthly publications
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|  Only a few seats remain for our upcoming ad sales workshop featuring Ryan Dohrn! Ryan will join us Sept. 19 to cover how to sell value, book more advertiser meetings, utilize AI to elevate your sales and do more in less time. It's only $75 to attend, which includes lunch. Sign up today!
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Ann Blunt named publisher and advertising director for Summerville Communications
Summerville Communications Inc. has announced the hiring of Ann Blunt as publisher and advertising director, overseeing sales and daily operations for The Summerville Journal Scene and The Berkeley Independent.
Blunt brings nearly 30 years of experience in newspaper, digital media and advertising sales leadership to her new role. More recently, she served as regional publisher for Carpenter Media Group, overseeing multiple publications in Illinois and Missouri, including the Quincy Herald-Whig, the Hannibal Courier-Post and the Kirksville Daily Express. Her career has also included senior leadership posts with Adams Publishing Group, Hastings Tribune, The Grand Island Independent and The Times Reporter in Ohio.
In addition to her background in traditional print operations, Blunt has extensive experience in digital sales, omnichannel marketing and SaaS solutions for media organizations. She has a track record of growing advertising revenue, launching new products and leading cross-functional teams to improve audience development and community engagement.
“I’m excited to join Summerville Communications and collaborate with such a talented and dedicated team,” Blunt said. “Local journalism plays a vital role in building strong, informed communities, and I’m passionate about strengthening the connection between our publications and the readers and businesses we serve. I look forward to working closely with editor Brandon Roberts and the newsroom as we deepen community relationships and continue to deliver the kind of hyper-local coverage that truly reflects the heart of Dorchester and Berkeley counties. I’m also eager to partner with local businesses, helping them reach new customers through impactful multimedia marketing campaigns and tailored advertising solutions that support their growth.”
From Summerville Journal Scene | Read more
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Davis joins Summerville Communications as multimedia account executive
Summerville Communications Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of St. Stephen native, Timberland High School graduate and Moncks Corner resident Brian Davis as a multimedia account executive for The Berkeley Independent and The Journal Scene. Davis will primarily serve Berkeley County, working with businesses to provide advertising solutions across print, digital and specialty products.
Davis brings a diverse professional background that blends communications, operations and marketing expertise. Most recently, he served as a communications specialist and interim supervisor at MUSC Health in Charleston, where he developed internal communication strategies that improved employee engagement. Before that role, Davis worked at Volvo Cars Charleston, where he streamlined supply chain processes, developed risk reporting tools and frequently assumed supervisory responsibilities.
His earlier career experience includes work as an accounting assistant and mailroom/data analyst for the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he managed publications and supported financial operations. Davis has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Grand Canyon University and an AAS in Network Systems Administration from ITT Technical Institute.
From Summerville Journal Scene | Read more
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 | From left: Siblings Natalie Abraham-McKinnie, Nathaniel Abraham and Tenita Abraham have launched a podcast. Nate, publisher of Carolina Panorama, is immediate past president of SCPA.
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Abraham siblings announce preview of new podcast: The Abraham Legacy
The Abraham family, known for their longstanding contributions in publishing, education, ministry and business, are coming together to launch a new podcast.
Siblings, Natalie Abraham-McKinnie, Nathaniel Abraham and Tenita Abraham will host conversations that blend family heritage with timely discussions on faith, business, and current events.
To kick things off, the trio [hosted a live preview event on Aug. 29 to introduce the vision behind the podcast, share the family’s legacy in media and community work and provide a sneak peek of upcoming topics.
Nathaniel Abraham, Sr., founder of Carolina Panorama — the longest-running African American newspaper serving South Carolina — built more than a publication.
He built a legacy of voice, vision, and resilience that continues.
During this podcast, his heirs, reflect on their family's media legacy and unveil what’s next.]
“This podcast is our way of honoring where we’ve come from, while also speaking to the challenges and opportunities of today,” said Tenita Abraham, owner of Building Legacies and columnist for the Carolina Panorama and Lowcountry Panorama newspapers.. “It’s not just about remembering history—it’s about living legacy in real time.” Read more
Related Column: Passing the Torch (By Tenita Abraham, Carolina Panorama)
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|  | Last week, The Post and Courier Columbia and Free Times hosted a panel discussion about the impact of governmental pressure on the media and highlighting the vital role of local journalism in safeguarding democracy and informing communities. Presenters included (from left) Bernie Heller, publisher of The Post and Courier Columbia and Free Times; Jimmy Nesbitt, editor, The Post and Courier Columbia; Caleb Bozard, reporter, The Post and Courier Columbia; Veronica Hill, public affairs specialist, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Carolina; Tiffany Tan, senior reporter, The Post and Courier Columbia; Attorney Jay Bender; Ian Grenier, reporter, The Post and Courier; and Chloe Barlow, The Post and Courier Columbia.
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Charles Bierbauer, newsman who excelled at CNN and USC, dies at 83
Charles Bierbauer, a former CNN political and international reporter who later became dean of the University of South Carolina’s journalism school, has died at 83.
Bierbauer, who retired from USC in 2017, was known for his unruffled poise and clear, on-the-scene accounts of complex headline-grabbing events from Atlanta to Washington to Moscow and everywhere in between.
He died Sunday at his home in Spruce Pine, a quiet town of 2,200 in the western North Carolina mountains that was a sharp contrast from the bustling news-filled international capitals where he reported the doings of the world’s most powerful people, from presidents to dictators. His death was announced by his family, CNN reported.
No cause of death was given.
The family obituary said “his generous heart gave out after a good, long life.”
Tributes came from colleagues and former students.
“I am going to miss Charles Bierbauer,” wrote Josh Dawsey on Facebook. He is a former Bierbauer student who won Pulitzers at The Washington Post and is now with The Wall Street Journal.
“While I was an undergrad at the University of South Carolina, I spent hundreds of hours annoying (and hopefully sometimes entertaining) the esteemed Dean in his corner office in the dungeon-like Coliseum,” Dawsey wrote. “He always had a wry observation or piece of constructive criticism for me and my work. His door was always open. He encouraged a kid who grew up in rural SC to think more expansively about the world and what I could do with my life.”
By John Monk, The State | Read more
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By John Foust, Advertising Trainer
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| An important question: Does this make sense?
As I write this, I have on my desk one of the most confusing ads I’ve ever seen. I saved it, because it’s an example of what not to do in an ad. It’s an ad for a pizza restaurant, and is unfortunately a jumble of competing offers and special deals.
It’s divided into a series of ten boxes, which is in itself a bad idea, because boxes divide a larger space into a series of smaller ads on the page. Several of the boxes feature prices of different choices of pizzas. Others highlight percentage-discounts and a free offer. Still more feature the name of the restaurant, the address, the phone number and the web address. The headline, which reads, “Now open,” appears at the bottom of the ad, where it looks like an afterthought. Add a QR code to the mix and you have an unintelligible mess.
In addition to being a visual nightmare, the ad copy doesn’t make much sense at all. For example, the most prominent offer promotes “40% off all pizzas, sides and desserts. Not valid with other offers.” Well, why would you want to use it with other offers, when the box beside it offers a free pizza? Then there are boxes which offer discount prices on specific flavors and sizes of pizzas – one and two-topping pizzas, mix and match choices, extra large one-topping, and large specialty pizza (what makes it special is not explained). Read more
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