Community newspaper Coffee News is returning to Scottsdale on Sept. 15 after a six-month hiatus.
Mark Blum and Aaron Peters are re-launching the newspaper after the previous owners let the publication lapse for more than six months.
“We are a niche weekly publication, delivered free to coffee shops, medical offices, restaurants and other places where people are waiting or relaxing,” said Blum, who also owns and operates the Coffee News Phoenix franchises.
As part of the relaunch, Blum and Peters are changing their business name to Coffee News Arizona to incorporate the multiple franchise locations. Coffee News Arizona has hired three new staff, and are recruiting three additional employees to help with the expanded business.
The team also works closely with the franchise publications in Glendale, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, and Avondale.
Coffee News Scottsdale has published continually for the past 12 years, barring the recent gap. The newspapers are light reading with new stories, jokes, quirky facts and trivia – perfect for a 10-minute read guaranteed to make you smile. They also are chockful of local small business advertising.
“Small businesses need affordable advertising platforms to reach their core local customers,” Blum said. “That’s what we can give them.”
Blum and Peters describe the Coffee News as a one-stop shop for local businesses. They offer a full-range of advertising services for small business owners, including digital marketing, SEO, social media management, reputation management, YELP advertising, public relations, writing and more. With the Westside affiliation, Coffee News can offer advertising options and services Valleywide.
“My background is in graphic design,” Peters said. “Mark’s is in digital marketing. Between us we can provide all the support business owners will need for them to grow.”
Blum said a major component of the new Coffee News Scottsdale will be partnerships with local nonprofit organizations. He said his business model for the Phoenix franchises includes a significant commitment to helping such agencies. They have worked with nonprofits including The Giving Group AZ, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, The March of Dimes, Civitan Foundation, and the Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation.
“As a community publication it is our corporate responsibility to support those in the community who most need it,” Blum said.
Starting the week of Sept. 15, the Phoenix and Scottsdale editions also will be available in several additional locations, including Circle K’s, some Walgreens and Basha’s.
