The Maine Monitor’s rural newsletters — “The Downeast Monitor” and “The Western Maine Monitor” — were jointly presented with a third place accolade from the Local Media Association for excellence in local newsletter strategies.
Judges evaluated entries that showcased the creative and impactful ways newsletters can grow audiences, deepen reader relationships and drive revenue.
The judges praised The Monitor’s mission-driven impact that is exemplified through these newsletters: “The Maine Monitor’s newsletters prioritize impact over sheer numbers… By acting as a crucial information hub, The Maine Monitor ensures rural populations are informed about critical events and decisions.”
Focused on rural regions underserved by daily media, The Monitor’s rural newsletters achieve standout newsletter engagement rates well above industry averages. The newsletters combine original investigative reporting with curated links from other outlets, filling vital information gaps for local readers.
“The Downeast Monitor” provides readers with reporting on Washington County every Saturday morning, co-written by Washington County correspondents Jacqueline Weaver and Joyce Kryszak.
“The Western Maine Monitor,” published on Saturday mornings, covers Franklin, Oxford and Somerset counties and is written by Ben Hanstein, The Monitor’s Western Maine correspondent.
Sign up for The Monitor’s newsletters.
First place in The Monitor’s division was presented to Mirror Indy while Rough Draft Atlanta placed second. The Portland Press Herald earned second place in its division for its “Portland Weekly” newsletter.
