Mike Shapiro is the founder and CEO of TAPinto, a network of more than 85 online local news sites in New Jersey, New York and Florida. Shapiro launched TAPInto in 2008. Back then it was called TheAlternativePress.com and the goal was to build a network of hyperlocal news sites covering New Jersey towns.
His core idea is relatively simple. Would-be editors and publishers are actually franchisees. They pay a fee to buy into a turnkey operation that gives them access to technology and marketing resources. Shapiro's team provides training and maintains the infrastructure, but these publishers are responsible for maintaining and growing their readership. Some have journalism backgrounds, but some join because they love their communities and want to become small business owners. There are now more than 90 franchises all over New Jersey, New York and Florida. The name was changed as the network grew: Shapiro no longer sees it as an alternative to just one newspaper, but as a way to TAPinto any community.
Dan has a Quick Take on a new survey by the Medill school of journalism at Northwestern University that finds that readers in Chicago aren't willing to pay for local news, and Ellen nerds out on a recent NiemanLab report on the importance of local coverage of science.