ADVERTISING GUIDELINES |
ABOUT US
On Top of the World News is a monthly, community newspaper for the 9,000-10,000 residents of On Top of the World, a 55-and-over condominium community in Clearwater, Fla. The newspaper is delivered to all 91 condominiums the first day of each month* and residents walk to their respective cores to pick up a copy. The newspaper has two seasons. From November-April there are roughly 5,500 copies printed and about 80 pages in each edition. From May-October there are roughly 5,500 copies of the newspaper and about 68 pages in each edition. The newspaper is also online, so residents who are out-of-town may keep up with their community news. On average, 300 people will view the newspaper online. If a building runs out of newspapers, there are bins in the East and West Activity Centers for extra copies. |
LOCATION
On Top of the World News is located at 2069 World Parkway Blvd. E., Clearwater, Fl., 33763. Our phone number is 727-799-3216. Our email address is not public. If you would like our email address, please call ahead and request why you need it. The newsroom is open 9:30-6, Monday-Thursday, and 9-2 on Fridays. If you are driving to the newsroom office, please enter via Sunset Point Road between US19 and Belcher Road. When you enter the community, you will be on World Parkway Boulevard and pass a giant globe. Proceed for about 1/2 mile. You will see a recreation complex on the right side. Park in the main lot, climb the stairs and enter our auditorium. Directly in front of you is an exit. Our office is on the right as you exit the auditorium. The newspaper publisher is Kenneth Colen. The editor is Doug Kates. The assistant editior is Dave Hart. On Top of the World News currently has about 50 building writers, 20 club writers and 10 sportswriters - all volunteers. |
WHAT'S IN THE NEWSPAPER
On Top of the World News has three sections. The first section primarily contains important information from On Top of the World management, plus columnists from within management and the Press Association. The second section contains news from dozens of community clubs and organizations. The third section contains news written by building writers. There is so much information, and a variety of schedules inside each edition of the newspaper, that residents hold onto their newspapers for the full month. |
PRIMARY RULES
Since first going to press in the 1970s, On Top of the World News has only published good news. Writers are instructed to submit only positive, informative stories. Only our community writers can submit stories. OTOW News does not accept stories written by non-residents or about news taking place outside the community. |
WHO CAN ADVERTISE?
Although On Top of the World News is a community newspaper, management allows local businesses to place ads. There are many restrictions. Businesses must be located in Pinellas, Pasco or Hillsborough counties only. Sometimes exceptions are made. Businesses must have a local, physical address - not just an Internet address. Businesses must list a local address or local phone number on each ad. Businesses requiring a license must print that license number on their ads. On Top of the World reserves the right to turn down any advertiser. Any individual in business for themselves, who plans on entering someone's condo, will be required to complete a background check. This includes home nurses, cleaners, cooks, massage therapists, errand runners, in-home businesses and condo inspectors. The background check is $40 and usually takes up to two weeks for results. If approved, the client then can purchase a $50 ad to run on a specific page - a maximum of 12 ads will run on this page and sales will be on a first come, first serve basis. Anyone wanting to place an ad for transportation services must have a taxi license registered through the city of Clearwater. Background check forms can be picked up in the newsroom office. |
WHO CANNOT ADVERTISE?
The following businesses are not permitted to advertise in On Top of the World News: Politicians, funeral homes, cremetories, cemeteries (pet cemeteries accepted), lawyers, attorneys, adult arcade games, estate brokers, dance studios, investment firms, stockbrokers and pest control companies. Liquor stores are limited to half-page ads or less. Awning and air conditioner companies must be pre-approved by On Top of the World management. Home and auto insurance ads are accepted, but not health or life insurance. We are not accepting any ads related to medical marijuana at this time. If the newsroom receives several complaints about an advertiser, that company could be banned from future advertising. |
NO BUSINESSES IN CONDOS
On Top of the World residents are not allowed to do business out of their condos, but can operate a business as long as customers do not have to come to the condo. Delivering a business product is acceptable. Residents can do arts and crafts and sell products at shows, but are not permitted to sell arts & crafts out of their condos. No one is allowed a household sale, yard sale or garage sale at their condo, so please don't ask for such an ad. |
TV CHANNEL 732
On Top of the World has its own closed circuit TV station available to residents with Spectrum TV. Any qualified business is allowed to advertise on TV. All ads are in in slide form, in color and are horizontal. No video ads. Current newspaper ads can be converted into TV ads at no extra charge. TV ads run about five times an hour for 15 seconds. Cost is $150 a month or $5 a day. Unlike newspaper ads, TV ads can be purchased during any work day. The ad can go on the air the following business day. |
Actual Ads/Payments/Deadlines
Once approved for advertising, a company may submit their own ad via email or have one built by the newsroom for no extra charge. Payment must be received by the 15th of each month to reserve a space in the newspaper, but color ad space usually sells out before the 15th. We take checks or credit cards. No space in the newspaper can be reserved without payment. Ads must fit our specific dimensions. We offer veritcal and horizontal ads (see rate sheet for details). Businesses may pay in advance, but we are not allowed to offers discounts. OTOW News also does not have a finance office, so please do not ask for advanced invoices. We will invoice your first ad, but will not automatically send out a due bill. It is your responsibility to keep track of payment dates. |
CLASSIFIEDS
On Top of the World residents are allowed to place classified ads free of charge. Ads cannot be more than 20 words and asking prices cannot be more than $500. Classified ads cannot sell or rent condos, or promote yard sales. Someone placing a classified ad must show proof of residency. |
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