MANAGING EDITOR OF RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH TO SPEAK TO PRSA RICHMOND 

As the fall 2006 issue of The Strategist reported, “newspapers are under siege from a number of fronts, including industry consolidation, Wall Street’s demand for ever-higher profits, the explosion of blogs and other Web-based information channels and the rise of ethnic media in response to ever-changing population demographics that render the very concept of ‘mainstream journalism’ obsolete.” 

Bellows will discuss what newspapers are doing to stay afloat in this ever-changing news world, and what the Times-Dispatch is doing to increase readership at a time when many daily papers are losing readers.  She will also explain how recent leadership changes at the Times-Dispatch are positioning the daily paper for success. 

Having joined the Times-Dispatch in January, Bellows has worked at newspapers across the country for more than 27 years.  In addition to writing and editing features, sports, local news and a Sunday magazine, Bellows has overseen the front page and launched one newspaper onto the World Wide Web.  Most recently, Bellows worked as editor of The Forum in Fargo, N.D. She has a master’s degree in public communication from Syracuse University and a bachelor's degree in English from Bloomsburg State College in Pennsylvania.

PRSA Richmond (www.prsarichmond.org) is a professional association serving Central Virginia public relations practitioners. The chapter and the national organization share the vision to unify, strengthen and advance the profession of public relations. Monthly luncheons are held on the last Wednesday of the month. Registration is required and the luncheon begins at 11:45 at the Sheraton Richmond West Hotel. The cost is $30 for non-members.  To register for the lunch or for more information, contact prsarichmond@comcast.net.

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