Oahu Publications, Inc./ The Honolulu Star-advertiser
Honolulu, HI
The story at Oahu Publications,
Inc. (OPI) is one of growth through innovation and savings. The company was founded in 2010 following a merger with and an acquisition of the Honolulu Advertiser from Gannett. OPI’S portfolio now includes its flagship national award-winning newspaper, the Honolulu Staradvertiser, and three other daily newspapers — The Garden Island on Kauai and two on the Big Island, West Hawaii Today in Kona and the Hawaii Tribune-herald in Hilo. In addition, the company publishes a collection of 14 visitor and island lifestyle magazines. OPI also owns and operates a full-service advertising agency, the Oahu Media Group (OMG).
Their most exciting initiative in
2021 was introducing an innovative credit card fee elimination system — The Cash Discount Program. OPI partnered with A Marketing Resource (AMR), a leading Twin Cities contact center and direct marketing provider for media marketplaces. The resulting program helped OPI eliminate all costs associated with accepting credit and debit cards and delivered $1.2 million in annualized, recurring savings to their bottom line. Subscribers and advertisers who pay with cash, check, money order or bank draft avoid processing fees, while others will see a fee line item on their receipt. A nominal charge is applied to all credit and debit card transactions, while a discount is automatically applied when customers pay with cash, check, money order or bank draft.
In cooperation with C&H Financial Services, AMR now offers this accredited, proprietary program to newspapers and publishing groups, providing them with the same significant recurring saving in merchant processing fees. More than 100 organizations have signed on with AMR to date. “This undertaking provides convenient and compliant payment methods, and we are excited to be first-to-market in the publishing space. Completely eliminating our exorbitant credit card fees allows
OPI to reinvest capital back into our core competency of gathering and producing comprehensive, differentiated and award-winning journalism. We were able to add several key reporter positions as a result,” said Dennis Francis, president and publisher of OPI.
The COVID pandemic hasn’t slowed down content or revenue innovation at OPI properties. With the four daily newspapers and an overhauled Hawaii.com website, OPI has created several new products and revenue streams, including ten new podcasts, three new live broadcast shows, and a newly-created Star-events division. In addition, a new magazine entitled “One-six” connects readers to the latest dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities while reflecting on the unique qualities of living in the 96816 zip code (Honolulu county). OPI also expanded their award-winning Digital Billboard Network program to include Cooler Screens at all 7-11’s statewide.
Through a partnership with Report for America, a Star-advertiser reporter works with a group of local high school students, mentoring them on writing, interviewing and storytelling. This group has worked together on a community service project dedicated to preserving the legacy of the famed 442nd Infantry — the Japanese American World War II combat regiment renowned for being the most decorated military unit in U.S. history. OPI’S partnership with Propublica has enhanced reporting on a troubled housing program for native Hawaiians, as well as award-winning coverage about sea-level rise and its devastating effects on Hawaii’s beaches. Innovation, technology and partnerships have allowed OPI to continue growth and focus on its core mission of providing the island communities with news, sports, commentary and entertainment while spurring public discussions on the critical issues affecting the lives of their readers across the state. We’re excited to see where their vision will take them next.