NEWS / EVENTS
Paper Clips newsletter is sent out monthly to anyone employed by a MFCP member publication or associate member. If you would like to receive it, email us.
Whether in a classroom setting at a conference or via a Zoom call each month, we take learning and growing seriously! Members tell us over and over that the fresh ideas they garner via networking more than pay for their membership.
Each year we host our ad awards competition. Publishers throughout the Midwest submit their best work from the prior year. Divided into two divisions, graphic design and editorial, the contest has more than 60 classes to enter.
From the Office
MEETING OF THE MINDS- OCTOBER MEMBER MEETUPS!
Lee has 2 great sessions on deck for October. Working with Advertising Agencies (requires pre-registration) and Digital Ad Sales Users Group.
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Lee has 2 great sessions on deck for October. Working with Advertising Agencies (requires pre-registration) and Digital Ad Sales Users Group.
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President’s Corner
CONGRATULATIONS GREG BIRKETT AND SHANE GOODMAN
Greg and Shane were honored with some of the highest distinctions in our industry at the ACP National Conference in Mobile. AL. Lisa tells us all about it.
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Greg and Shane were honored with some of the highest distinctions in our industry at the ACP National Conference in Mobile. AL. Lisa tells us all about it.
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Words of Wisdom
ADVICE FROM OUR MEMBERS...
Last month we asked for the best advice you've ever received to share with our MVP's. Each month we will be sharing advice from 2 members. Let's see what lessons have shaped our members' careers- one story at a time.
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Last month we asked for the best advice you've ever received to share with our MVP's. Each month we will be sharing advice from 2 members. Let's see what lessons have shaped our members' careers- one story at a time.
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MVPs at Work
LESSONS LEARNED
Ashley shares 3 lessons she has learned that have been instrumental in making her job more effective. Check out her common sense, easy-to-follow lessons in the link below.
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Ashley shares 3 lessons she has learned that have been instrumental in making her job more effective. Check out her common sense, easy-to-follow lessons in the link below.
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Members Helping Members
GOOD NEWS FROM USPS
SMC Executive Director, Donna Hanbery, is excited to share this news: NO Price Increase in January 2026! Read more in the link below.
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SMC Executive Director, Donna Hanbery, is excited to share this news: NO Price Increase in January 2026! Read more in the link below.
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Ad-Libs
THE PERSUASIVE POWER OF PROOF
John's acronym, PROOF" is a sure way to help advertising folks remember five types of evidence. You will want to check this out!
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John's acronym, PROOF" is a sure way to help advertising folks remember five types of evidence. You will want to check this out!
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Members Helping Members
EXCEL TRAINING RESOURCE
NEW!! You asked, we delivered. Lee found a free 10-module YouTube excel course that is both practical and easy to follow. Brush up your skills or dive deeper into Excel. Either way, you will want to check this out!
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NEW!! You asked, we delivered. Lee found a free 10-module YouTube excel course that is both practical and easy to follow. Brush up your skills or dive deeper into Excel. Either way, you will want to check this out!
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RYAN DOHRN
WHY SALES TEAMS MISS GOALS AND HOW TO FIX IT
This month Ryan delves into the problem of why sales teams miss goals. His 4-step process helps identify the "why" and helps with the "how".
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This month Ryan delves into the problem of why sales teams miss goals. His 4-step process helps identify the "why" and helps with the "how".
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Kevin Slimp
WHERE DID THE TIME GO?
Kevin's article is one on how to manage time. He shares tips to get through your day, get your work done, and not stress. It is a winning combination!
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Kevin's article is one on how to manage time. He shares tips to get through your day, get your work done, and not stress. It is a winning combination!
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From the Office
ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES:
REAL ESTATE SESSION ON SEPT 17 AT 10AM
David Tomasini will help you make sense of today's real estate market, give you smart strategies for growing lineage, and show you how to build stronger relationships with local realtors! Mark your calendar!
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REAL ESTATE SESSION ON SEPT 17 AT 10AM
David Tomasini will help you make sense of today's real estate market, give you smart strategies for growing lineage, and show you how to build stronger relationships with local realtors! Mark your calendar!
Read More »
President’s Corner
BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS TIME TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS
Lisa reminds us that going back to the basics can sometimes supply a positive impact on every part of ourselves and our publications. Check out her simple 3-step suggestion plan.
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Lisa reminds us that going back to the basics can sometimes supply a positive impact on every part of ourselves and our publications. Check out her simple 3-step suggestion plan.
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Ad-Libs
A LESSON FROM LOCKWOOD'S FOLLY
John shares a story with a simple, but powerful message- do your research first when preparing spec ads as sales tools. A little homework to make a spec ad that really reflects your client's business can make all the difference.
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John shares a story with a simple, but powerful message- do your research first when preparing spec ads as sales tools. A little homework to make a spec ad that really reflects your client's business can make all the difference.
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MVP AT WORK
DO THE "BEST" THING
Aaron Burns wants everyone to know how adding a live event to an already successful operation, took their CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines awards campaign to a whole new level. It's all here... step-by-step how to create your own "Best of" sales campaign.
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Aaron Burns wants everyone to know how adding a live event to an already successful operation, took their CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines awards campaign to a whole new level. It's all here... step-by-step how to create your own "Best of" sales campaign.
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Ryan Dohrn
GUIDE YOUR BUYER: MASTERING THE JOURNEY TO CLOSE MORE SALES
Take a road trip with Ryan to learn how to avoid the bumps, potholes, and detours and lead your buyer to an easy "yes".
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Take a road trip with Ryan to learn how to avoid the bumps, potholes, and detours and lead your buyer to an easy "yes".
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MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS
WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED? OUR MVP'S WANT TO KNOW!
Corey asked the MVP's this very question. Lee liked the assignment so well, she shared her own entertaining story in this article. Please take a moment and share your story.
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Corey asked the MVP's this very question. Lee liked the assignment so well, she shared her own entertaining story in this article. Please take a moment and share your story.
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Kevin Slimp
THERE'S A NEW PAPER IN TOWN
And 14,000 LinkedIn followers are all worked up about it
Kevin's article is about our own Joey and Lindsey Young from Kansas Publishing and Hillsboro Free Press. It is an absolutely must-read!
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And 14,000 LinkedIn followers are all worked up about it
Kevin's article is about our own Joey and Lindsey Young from Kansas Publishing and Hillsboro Free Press. It is an absolutely must-read!
Read More »
Upcoming Events
Special Sections Exchange
NEW MEMBER PERK
Click HERE to access a shared online drive where members can upload PDF's of their best work, browse through ideas from others, and discover ready-to-reuse or reimagine content!
2025 Ad Award
Contest Winners
1ST PLACE- AMANDA THOOFT
2ND PLACE- KATHY ARNDORFER
3RD PLACE- TATUM PHELPS
HM- HEATHER JOHNSON
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THESE WINNING ADS!
2ND PLACE- KATHY ARNDORFER
3RD PLACE- TATUM PHELPS
HM- HEATHER JOHNSON
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THESE WINNING ADS!
Spring Conference 2026
Hilton Garden Inn
Cedar Falls, IA
April 15th & 16th
2026
April 15th & 16th
2026
Save the date!
Conferences and Ad Award Contests
2024 AD AWARDS
Congratulations to all of our talented members.
Check out this year's winners!
You will be inspired! Click below:
Catergory 1 thru Cat 12/Div 2.
Category 12/Div 3 to end.
Check out this year's winners!
You will be inspired! Click below:
Catergory 1 thru Cat 12/Div 2.
Category 12/Div 3 to end.
2023 Ad Award Winners
2020 Spring Conference
