The following statement was drafted by marketing/sales director Shaun O'L. Higgins for our CDA sales staff. Word had reached us that CDA staffers were told in a meeting that the SR had closed its CDA sales department. Not true.

We have no plans to reduce our advertising and circulation efforts in North Idaho, nor do we plan to close the office or cease covering news of significance to North Idaho. Period! (And, hopefully, end of topic!) This morning’s story states clearly that we are shifting to a regionally inclusive focus in our news distribution strategy. We will maintain editorial staff in both Idaho and Spokane that is devoted to coverage of Idaho state news (our Boise bureau) and in Coeur d’Alene. Also, the Handle Extra is being maintained. There are reductions in news staff that impact Idaho, of course, but a reduction is not equatable to “closure” or “abandonment.” North Idaho represents a significant contribution to our overall success as a regional publication. We have a major investment there in staff, past promotional and circulation efforts and in our splendid physical facility. The decision to continue to provide zoned advertising for Idaho underscores our commitment. A change in strategy and approach to coverage should not be interpreted by anyone, least of all folks at the Press, as an indication of withdrawal from the market. They would be clearly misreading the situation if they believe that.

Shaun O'L. Higgins
SR Director of Sales/Marketing

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