Innovating hyperlocal: how Current Publishing redefines suburban news
Episode 287 of “E&P Reports” — A Vodcast series hosted by Mike Blinder
When Ben Weir entered the newspaper business nearly five years ago, he didn’t come from a newsroom or a journalism degree. Instead, he brought a background in sales and marketing — and a fresh perspective that has helped Current Publishing evolve from a traditional print publication into a multi-platform, tech-savvy media operation.
“I felt a passion for the community,” said Weir, who now serves as president and publisher. “I’ve always enjoyed networking, shopping local, buying local — everything related to community itself. That’s what was so attractive about becoming a partner in this company.” In fact, Weir was first a client of the paper before joining the leadership team. “They were already doing a great job,” he said, “but I saw a lot of things I thought we could take into the next century.”
Serving seven affluent northside communities in suburban Indianapolis — Carmel, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, North Indy, Westville, and Zionsville, Current mails its print editions weekly to over 130,000 households. And while print is still the foundation, Weir has led the company to invest in digital platforms that dramatically extend reach and relevance.
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