Articles

’80s anti-takeover law helped sow Emmis win

The Indiana Business Corporation Law—enacted to help Hoosier companies fight off a wave of attacks by corporate raiders—gives boards of directors unusually broad authority to exercise judgment as they see fit.

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‘Knock on Wood’ campaign boosts Farm Bureau brand

The torrent of competitors’ humorous TV commercials forced Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to roll out its own campaign. So far, its “Knock on Wood” shtick is said to have boosted brand awareness in urban markets by 12 percent, as measured by social media chatter.

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Carmel ad shop FatAtom prospers by defying norms

In a time when many local, regional and national ad firms have been forced to downsize, FatAtom Marketing has seen its revenue increase from $180,000 in 2008 to a projected $1.25 million this year, CEO Todd Muffley said.

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Illinois lottery superintendent says Indiana taking flawed path

The Illinois Lottery is not a model Indiana should follow in seeking a private manager to boost revenue, according to Illinois’ own lottery chief. Hoosier Lottery officials say they’ve taken steps to avoid the problems Illinois had with its privatization contract, but several key elements of the process mirror Illinois’.

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Emmis agrees to sell two magazines for $9M

The publications, Country Sampler and Smart Retailer, together generated $1 million in operating income during the 12-month period ended May 31, according to a public filing. The transaction is expected to close by Sept. 30.

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Meteorologist Buchman leaves WISH-TV, as expected

Popular meteorologist Angela Buchman has left WISH-TV Channel 8 as expected and is likely to be off the air for a year until she joins competitor WTHR-TV Channel 13, according to several local broadcast television sources.

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Star‘s labyrinth of aging buildings complicates sale, reuse

Local real estate pros say finding a reuse for the Indianapolis Star's HQ will be tricky. The newspaper is selling its labyrinth of buildings at 307 N. Pennsylvania St., which have multiple floor levels, narrow hallways and a basement built to house printing presses.

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Chicago tourism push increases pressure on Indianapolis

Chicago tourism officials earlier this year unleashed a major advertising campaign that threatens to encroach on one of Indianapolis’ primary leisure travel segments. The Second City for the first time ever is marketing itself to other cities in the Midwest, such as St. Louis and Cincinnati, that are key targets for Indianapolis.

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Emmis shareholders fight bylaw changes on dividends

Investors asked U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker in Indianapolis for an order blocking a special meeting at which Emmis shareholders will be asked to approve bylaw changes wiping out more than $34 million in accrued and unpaid preferred stock dividends.

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Angie’s List shares plunge after wider quarterly loss

Angie's List Inc. saw revenue jump 74 percent in the second quarter, but the Indianapolis-based contractor-ratings service continued to see growing losses as the result of higher marketing expenses. The company’s stock fell more than 10 percent Thursday.

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Indianapolis Star to introduce online pay model

After more than 10 years of providing free online content, the Indianapolis Star is laying the foundation for a pay-per-view system that would cost online-only readers about $13 a month, industry sources said.

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