Daily Cardinal business update

Negotiations between the Cardinal and the student government resulted in a plan which will allow us to repay in cash about $3,000 of the $12,900 still owed by August of this coming summer. The rest will be made up in discounted ads run for the student government until the remainder is paid. All in all, the majority of the Cardinal staff agrees that this arrangement will serve us best and thanks all involved for their hard work in making it happen.

Last spring, the Cardinal ad staff set record sales amounts and column inches and dollars sold. Unfortunately, we had an almost complete turnover in advertising representatives at the semester break and with that change, we've experienced a slump in ad sales so far this year. However, ad manager Sara Baumgart arranged a seminar with Mr. David Tomasini of Add Inc., an advertising firm in Waupaca, Wis. that gave our ad reps information and skills to form solid relationship with clients. Sales have begun to climb since, and we hope for continued success.

The Art and Promotions Departments have expanded as well. We have almost 10 artists contributing regularly to ad production and design and there's 5 people who set about actively promoting the Cardinal to the Madison community.

The Billings and Collections Department has begun a more regular process of contacting advertisers with outstanding debts, and thus far in the semester, outstanding collections have been cut in half! Now that less time is spent chasing down outstanding debts, more energy is devoted to keeping up with our current customers.

We believe we've got a pretty solid foundation at this point, but we're always learning ... just as you did. We're seeking ways to secure a nest egg and keep the Cardinal thriving as we turn the century.

We'd love to hear any advice, ideas or business contacts you may have for your favorite student daily! Give us a call: (608) 262-5854.

Finally, the Business side of the Cardinal would like to extend thanks and a fond farewell to outgoing Business Manager Brad Jorgensen, who has guided the Cardinal's business operations for the past year. We've seen some great success in his tenure, and we wish him the best as he sets off into the "real world."

Kate Kail joined The Daily Cardinal business staff in 1999 after a term as campus editor.