Township News Network Officially Launches

The first official press release for the Township News Network went out this morning. Now we have to call and fax townships directly to let them know about the services. The official press release is below.

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The Township News Network officially presents itself to the American public on December 10, 2002. Responding to the need for fostering public relations between local government and their residents, the Township News Network (TNN) was created to provide an integrated, high-tech and user-friendly media solution for township news.

TNN offers various services to townships across the country. Any township can become a free member of the TNN directory service. The TNN directory lists all townships that have signed into the service in a searchable database from where website viewers can find township information including addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.

For an annual service fee starting at $200, townships can also partake in the high-tech news service. The TNN news service is a professional, cost-effective and simple alternative to townships hosting websites on their own. Even townships that already have their own website will find the TNN news service an invaluable communication tool.

News service members can post news and press release information to the TNN database. The site allows townships to post forms and photographs as well. Townships can also post upcoming events on visual calendars and submit email newsletters for their residents. Moreover, townships have the option of automatically submitting their news to their local media in press release format.

“This is a key benefit of the site,” said creator and co-owner Shawn Olson. “Since townships often feel neglected in the media, this will help them more effectively promote media communication. This service offers two important weapons for townships feeling ignored in the media. The first is the fact that this site makes submitting news to news agencies simple and professional. The second is the fact that, even if local news agencies continue to ignore township news, all news remains on the Township News Network site for readers to find.”

Olson originally launched the site in February 2002 for the townships in Central Ohio. He covered township news for 2.5 years for the Westside Messenger, and he wanted to promote his graphics business by providing a free directory service to the townships. He felt that townships have not harnessed the full potential of the Internet.

That’s when Olson consulted with web developer Andrew Penry. Penry had spent years as the web developer of Onlineethics.org at Case Western Reserve University. Penry created the groundwork for TNN programming.

Olson then partnered with Jeremy Gilbey, an up-and-coming programmer in central Ohio. Gilbey devoted months to the programming behind TNN, and is now co-owner of the Township News Network.

Gilbey said, “This is an exciting opportunity. The chance to create a website that has the potential to make a nation-wide name is rare these days. I really feel that this site will be one of those rare websites that will actually service many communities in a useful and interactive way.”

Since news service members fund the Township News Network, there is no need for extensive advertising on the site. With the exception of paid political advertising during October 1-November 5, the Township News Network will use very little advertising on its pages. Even then, the advertising comes in the form of search results, and paid political pages are easily identifiable on search results.

“That’s something else unique about our site,” said Olson. “Many sites that provide informational search engines waste a lot of your time on advertising that you don’t care about. That’s not an issue on our site.”

On the township side, the TNN directory and news service allows townships to have a website without the need for extensive web design skills. In order to post a story into the TNN database, a township need only have a person who knows how to copy and paste an article into a blank field. The site does all the rest.

Olson said, “As this site grows, it will create the most extensive network of townships and local governments that exists in the country. It will become a great resource for township residents, township administrators and businesses that work with townships. I’m excited about the whole thing.”

For more information about the Township News Network, go to www.townshipnews.net.