22nd Century Media

22nd Century Media

Industry	Publishing, Media, Internet
Founded	2005
Number of locations	11516 West 183rd Street • Unit SW Office Condo#3 • Orland Park, IL 60467 60 Revere Drive • Suite 888 • Northbrook, IL 60062 28990 Pacific Coast Highway •Suite 108 • Malibu, CA 90265
Products	Newspapers, Websites, Hometown Advantage, The Plus Program
Website	www.22ndcenturymedia.com

22nd Century Media is a media company based in the southwest and northshore suburbs of Chicago. 22nd Century Media, founded in 2005, publishes 14 hyper-local weekly community newspapers. 22nd Century Media publications are delivered free to about 160,000 homes and business across the South West and North Shore Suburbs of Chicago and in Malibu, California and are supported completely by advertising revenues. In March 2005, Jack Ryan launched 22nd Century Media, a news media company dedicated to providing hyper-local news in both print and digital media formats.

Editorial policy

22nd Century Media's papers are focused solely on the coverage of their local news. Each is part of a new series of weekly hyperlocal newspapers that focus on micro-stories within a single community. They are composed of four main sections: News, Sports, Local Living, and Life & Arts. 22nd Century Media publications believe in maintaining objectivity and neutrality in their news, life and arts, and sport sections. The company's papers do not typically endorse candidates nor ballot items.

Online

In addition to the print content, each paper posts interactive videos, photo galleries, and a calendar online. Users can create an account, build a personal profile, post comments, upload original content, and interact with other users all at the click of a mouse. 22nd Century Media sends out to e-mail subscribers weekly topical e-newsletters, breaking news alerts, and a weekend guide called Weekly Scoop. As of July 2009, more than 3,500 people subscribe to Weekly Scoop.

List of Newspapers under 22nd Century Media Publications

The Orland Park Prairie

The Orland Park Prairie is a weekly hyper-local community newspaper based in the Village of Orland Park, Illinois dedicated to the coverage of local news. The Prairie is delivered free every Thursday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Orland Park, IL. As of June 30, 2012 CAC Audit, circulation of The Orland Park Prairie is estimated at 23,208 homes and businesses.

The third newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Orland Park Prairie was founded in 2006. The first issue was May 25, 2006. The Orland Park Prairie can also be found online at [1]. The Orland Park Prairie was the first of the 22nd Century Media publications to go digital, hitting the web in the summer of 2007. A readership survey conducted in 2008 by Robert Olinto and Associates revealed that 87 percent of residents read the paper and 72 percent of readers read every single issue of the publication.

The Prairie specifically covers the village government of Orland Park, as well as Consolidated High School District 230 (Carl Sandburg High School), Orland School District 135 and St. Michael School. The Editor & Managing Editor is Bill Jones. Heather Warthen was the first employee for 22nd Century Media and served as editor of The Homerian (now known as The Homer Horizon) in 2005 before starting The Orland Park Prairie in 2006. Michael Gilbert recently ascended to the position of assistant editor replacing former assistant editor Jamie Lynn Ferguson. She is currently the editor of The Frankfort Station. The Orland Park Prairie won three awards at the Illinois Press Association's 2008 awards. Warthen received first place for Best Sports Photo. She also won two second place prizes for Best Web Photo and Photo Series.

The Frankfort Station

The Frankfort Stationis a weekly hyperlocal community newspaper based in the Village of Frankfort, Illinois dedicated to the coverage of local news. The Station is delivered free every Thursday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Frankfort, IL. As of June 30, 2012 CAC Audit, circulation of The Frankfort Station is estimated at 10,282 homes and businesses.

The second newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Frankfort Station was founded in 2005. The first issue was June 22, 2005. The Frankfort Station can also be found online. A readership survey conducted in 2008 by Robert Olinto and Associates revealed that 91% of residents read the paper and 66% of readers read every single issue. The Station specifically covers the village government of Frankfort, as well as Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 (Lincoln-Way North, Lincoln-Way East) and elementary school districts 157-C and Summit Hill 161.

The Homer Horizon

The Homer Horizon (formerly The Homerian) is a weekly hyperlocal community newspaper based in the Village of Homer Glen, Illinois dedicated to the coverage of local news. The Horizon is delivered free every Thursday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Homer Glen, Illinois and parts of Lockport, Illinois in Homer Township. As of June 30, 2012 CAC Audit, circulation of The Homer Horizon is estimated at 8,356 homes and businesses.

The first newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Homer Horizon was founded in 2005. The first issue was February 2, 2005. In 2005, the Village of Homer Glen was only recently incorporated and 22nd Century Media decided to launch its first new newspaper in this new town. The online edition of The Homer Horizon was launched mid-2007 and can be found at www.homerhorizon.com. 89% of residents read the paper and 64% of readers read every single issue according to a recent independent reader survey conducted in 2008 by Robert Olinto and Associates.

On July 4, 2009, The Homer Horizon had exclusive coverage of the Homer-Lockport Tea Party protests held in Homer Glen, IL. The event was attended to by more than 500 in protest of government corruption and overtaxing at the local, state and federal levels of government.The Homer Horizon covers among other areas of interest the village government of Homer Glen, Homer Township, and Lockport Township High School District 205.

The Homer Horizon is recipient of four awards in the past two years from the Illinois Press Association including:

1st Place, 2008 - Informational Graphic, Division C

2nd Place, 2008 - Feature Writing, Division C

3rd Place, 2008 - Feature Photo, Division C

3rd Place, 2007 - Feature Writing, Division C

The Mokena Messenger

The Mokena Messenger is a weekly hyper-local community newspaper based in the Village of Mokena, Illinois dedicated to the coverage of local news. The Mokena Messenger is published by parent company, The Messenger is delivered free every Thursday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Mokena, Illinois. As of June 30, 2012 CAC Audit, circulation of The Mokena Messenger is estimated at 7,712 homes and businesses.

The fifth newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Mokena Messenger was founded in 2007. The first issue was August 16, 2007. The online edition of The Mokena Messenger was launched in 2007 and can be found online. On July 10, 2008, The Mokena Messenger was the first area paper to carry the story of a resident seeking to change the Village’s form of government from one in which trustees are elected at-large to a system where they are elected from districts. The issue became a hot-button one in the November 2008 election and many town hall meetings were held on the issue after The Messenger first reported it.The Messenger also covers Mokena School District 159, Lincoln-Way School District 210, Frankfort Township and a small portion of Summit Hill School District 161.

To date, the paper has received one award, 2nd Place 2009 - Best Feature Story, from the Suburban Newspapers of America.

The New Lenox Patriot

The New Lenox Patriot is a weekly hyperlocal community newspaper based in the Village of New Lenox, Illinois dedicated to the coverage of local news. The Patriot is delivered free every Thursday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in New Lenox, IL. As of June 30, 2012 CAC Audit, circulation of The New Lenox Patriot is estimated at 11,156 homes and businesses.

The fourth newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The New Lenox Patriot was founded in 2007. The first issue was in 2007. The New Lenox Patriot can also be found online. 86% of village residents read the paper and 65% of readers read every single issue according to a recent independent reader survey conducted in 2008 by Robert Olinto and Associates. The Patriot specifically covers the New Lenox village government, New Lenox Township, and Lincoln-Way High School District 210. The Patriot provides exclusive coverage of New lenox, including the community's three high schools (Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way West, Providence Catholic) and twelve grade schools and middle schools in District 122. The Patriot was the first to report a tragic incident in February 2009 when an 17-year-old resident accidentally shot and killed his 15-year-old brother. The family spoke exclusively to The Patriot for a follow-up story.

The New Lenox Patriot is recipient of five awards from the Illinois Press Association since it became eligible in 2008:
--1st Place, 2008 - Sports News, Division C
--1st Place, 2008, Single Page Design, Division C
--2nd Place, 2008 - Single Page Design, Division C
--2nd Place, 2008 - Sports Section, Division C
--Honorable Mention, 2008 - Sports Feature, Division C Editor Laura Michaels also received a second-place awards for News Reporting-Single Story, for a story she had written as an assistant editor the previous year for The Frankfort Station.

The Tinley Junction

The Tinley Junction is a weekly hyperlocal community newspaper based in the Village of Tinley Park, Illinois dedicated to the coverage of local news. The Junction is delivered free every Thursday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Tinley Park, IL. As of June 30, 2012 CAC Audit, circulation of The Tinley Junction is estimated at 21,311 homes and businesses.

The sixth and most recent newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Tinley Junction was founded in 2008. The first issue was March 13, 2008. The Tinley Junction can also be found online. The Junction has become a popular pick among local area advertisers because of the publication's coverage of the area and sterling reputation. The Junction specifically covers Tinley area Consolidated High School District 230 (Victor J. Andrew High School) and Bremen Community High School District 228 (Tinley Park High School) and elementary school districts 140 and 146.

The Tinley Junction is in first year contention for recognition for several journalistic awards with the Illinois Press Association (IPA) and Suburban Newspapers of America (SNA).

The Lockport Legend

The Lockport Legend is a weekly hyper-local community newspaper based in the Village of Lockport, Illinois dedicated to the coverage of local news. The Legend is delivered free every Thursday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Lockport, IL. As of June 30, 2012 CAC Audit, circulation of The Lockport Legend is estimated at 12,614 homes and businesses.

The ninth newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Lockport Legend was founded in 2011. The first issue was March 3, 2011.

The Wilmette Beacon

The Wilmette Beacon is a weekly, hyper-local community newspaper dedicated to the coverage of local news in Wilmette and Kenilworth, Ill. The Beacon is delivered free every Wednesday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Wilmette and Kenilworth, IL. As of June 2012, circulation of The Wilmette Beacon is 11,417 copies delivered to homes and businesses (CAC Audit June 30, 2012).[1]

The seventh newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Wilmette Beacon’s first issue was Sept. 8, 2010, the same release date as The Winnetka Current.

The Winnetka Current

The Winnetka Current is a weekly, hyper-local community newspaper dedicated to the coverage of local news in Winnetka and Northfield, Ill. The Current is delivered free every Wednesday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Winnetka and Northfield, IL. As of June 2012, circulation of The Wilmette Beacon is 8,098 copies delivered to homes and businesses (CAC Audit June 30, 2012).[1]

The eighth newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Winnetka Current’s first issue was Sept. 8, 2010, the same release date as The Wilmette Beacon.

The Glenview Lantern

The Glenview Lantern is a weekly, hyper-local community newspaper dedicated to the coverage of local news in Glenview, Ill. The Lantern is delivered free every Wednesday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Glenview, IL. As of June 2012, circulation of The Wilmette Beacon is 20,601 copies delivered to homes and businesses (CAC Audit June 30, 2012).[1]

The tenth newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Glenview Lantern’s first issue was Sept. 21, 2011.

The Northbrook Tower

The Northbrook Tower is a weekly, hyper-local community newspaper dedicated to the coverage of local news in Northbrook, Ill. The Tower is delivered free every Wednesday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Northbrook, IL. As of June 2012, circulation of The Northbrook Tower is 16,918 copies delivered to homes and businesses (CAC Audit June 30, 2012).

The 11th newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Northbrook Tower’s first issue was March 7, 2012.

Malibu Surfside News

Malibu Surfside News is a weekly, hyper-local community newspaper dedicated to the coverage of local news in Malibu, CA . Malibu Surfside News is delivered free every Wednesday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Malibu, CA.

Malibu Surfside News is the 12th newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, Malibu Surfside News’s first issue was October 23, 2013.

The Highland Park Landmark

The Highland Park Landmark is a weekly, hyper-local community newspaper dedicated to the coverage of local news in Highland Park, Ill. The Landmark is delivered free every Wednesday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Highland Park, IL.

The 13th newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Highland Park Landmark’s first issue was Feb. 26, 2014.

The Glencoe Anchor

The Glencoe Anchor is a weekly, hyper-local community newspaper dedicated to the coverage of local news in Glencoe, Ill. The Anchor is delivered free every Wednesday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Glencoe, IL.

The 14th newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Glencoe Anchor’s first issue was September 11, 2014.

The Lake Forest Leader

The Lake Forest Leader is a weekly, hyper-local community newspaper dedicated to the coverage of local news in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, Ill. The Leader is delivered free every Wednesday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, IL.

The 15th newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Lake Forest Leader’s first issue was February 18, 2015.

External links

• Official website