Staff writer Beth Reed this week was named The Sentinel-Record's first digital strategy manager, a newly created position to oversee all of the newspaper's digital strategies, as it continues to deliver the best print product possible to subscribers.
"I look forward to this new role as we start engaging our audiences with our various digital products. Print is still our priority, but by engaging more readers online, we continue to solidify that The Sentinel-Record is the No. 1 news source for Hot Springs and Garland County," Reed said.
"This is a position that will help us expand our reach in the community," General Manager Harry Porter said.
"We have 25,000 folks reading our print edition each day and we know that it is crucial that we continue to provide outstanding print coverage. But we realize that there is a whole lot of folks, especially younger people, who consume their news differently. Beth will help us reach these people with stories in a way that is convenient for them. However, let me make it plain that we are still strongly and passionately a print product."
The newspaper's editor, Mark Gregory, said the addition of the position is essential as The Sentinel-Record continues to grow its digital presence.
"Print, indeed, continues to be our priority, but our digital presence is growing on a daily basis. In addition to special digital-only special sections that are available only to subscribers -- and keep in mind, these services are free to our print subscribers -- we will also be leveraging our digital platforms to provide the latest sports information, videos and podcasts to our readers. We want our digital presence to enhance our print subscribers' experience," Gregory said.
Reed is a 2009 graduate of Lakeside High School and a December 2012 graduate of Arkansas State University with a degree in photojournalism.
She worked as interim marketing coordinator for National Park Medical Center in 2017 handling social media, event planning and online engagement, among other responsibilities, for the hospital.
Reed began work with The Sentinel-Record news staff in January 2013 and has continued in various capacities since then covering tourism, education and human interest pieces. She is best known for the newspaper's annual Oaklawn series and coverage of tourism events.
"Hot Springs is, and forever will be, my home. Because of that, I'm excited to work closely with our community in this new way," Reed said.
Local on 07/28/2019