News with a Purpose: How HD Media Fuels Community Connection

Fostering an educational environment where all can grow remains at the heart of the newspaper industry, one HD Media leader said.

Doug Skaff Jr., President of HD Media, the parent company of The Herald Dispatch, Charleston Gazette Mail and 13 additional newspapers across West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“The newspaper industry has been alive and well for many years,” Skaff said. “It’s all about keeping local community interest, whether it’s politics, business related, education, or sports, we thrive on educating the local community.”

In terms of HD media’s relationship with the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Skaff said the Chamber works hand in hand with the organization to tell the stories of the local business community.

“If they’re local businesses–both nonprofit and for profit–we want to tell the whole story so the community gets connected to local business groups,” Skaff said. “It’s a fantastic way to tell their story and bring a business to life.”

Skaff went on to say the news industry is ever changing, something that HD Media continues to tackle daily.

“As a newspaper company, we have to adapt and constantly change to tell that story of the local business community,” Skaff said. “We may do that through video, websites, apps or a print product.”

Meanwhile, Skaff said the Chamber provides not just HD Media, but every member with connections outside of their industry.

“You are going to meet people and build relationships that you may not need right now,” Skaff said. “But one day your roof will get beat up and you might call someone you met at a Business After Hours for a roof repair.”

Meanwhile, Skaff said the Chamber is an organization that not only benefits HD Media, but benefits the community through giving back.

“They foster the growth of the community and they want to promote all that’s good,” Skaff said. “It aligns with our mission statement at The Herald Dispatch, we want to promote the local economy, businesses and people in this community.”

As for chamber benefits, Skaff said himself and HD Media have benefited the most from establishing interpersonal relationships at events hosted by the Chamber.

“It’s an investment to your success in a close-knit community,” Skaff said. “Build a network, meet new people and build friendships that are going to last forever, while having a little fun along the way.”

To learn more about how you can support HD Media and The Herald-Dispatch in Huntington, please visit https://www.herald-dispatch.com/subscriptions/.