The Corridor Media Group, parent company of the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal, and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) are partnering to publish ABI’s monthly newsletters.
ABI, which has served as the Voice of Iowa Business since 1903, will publish its newsletter in both the QCBJ and its sister publication, the Corridor Business Journal (CBJ). The new partnership began with the CBJ’s Jan. 16 edition.
“We are excited about the new partnership with Corridor Media Group. ABI members appreciate the focus on regional business news and information to know what is going on statewide,” said Mike Ralston, president of ABI. “The partnership will increase the visibility of the Corridor and Quad Cities to companies outside the area, and increase the information that ABI shares with business leaders statewide. ABI is a 120-year-old business organization and we are excited to partner with one of Iowa’s premier business news sources.”
The first installment in the QCBJ appears in today’s edition, beginning on page 11. This month’s newsletter offers a 2023 Legislative preview as well as ABI’s own priorities this session. Other features include: a Q&A with Jack Whitver, Iowa Senate majority leader, and Pat Grassley, the Iowa House speaker, as well as guest columns from ABI Chair Kim Augspurger of Piggott, and a human resources column by Mary Ward of G&A Partners.
The partnership represents an opportunity for ABI to extend its reach and grow significantly outside of the metro Des Moines area particularly in eastern Iowa. Previously, the newsletter was published and inserted into the Des Moines Record.
All ABI members – along with CBJ and QCBJ subscribers – will receive the newsletter within the regular QCBJ and CBJ editions. The same newsletter will appear in the two publications each month. In addition, the Corridor Media Group is publishing ABI’s annual member directory.
“We have had a strong relationship with ABI for many years and this new partnership is a great opportunity for us to showcase our solid business news coverage and advocacy with ABI’s important membership across the state,” said John Lohman, CEO of the Corridor Media Group, based in North Liberty, Iowa. “It’s a partnership that will not only strengthen both organizations, but also advance business interests across the state.”
The new arrangement also comes on the heels of a rebranding effort by the Des Moines-based ABI in November. “With a vision of furthering ABI’s mission, and careful consideration, a new logo was developed that reflects our commitment to Iowa and reflects a modern logo,” Mr. Ralston said in a news release at the time.
ABI, the largest business network in the state, works to provide a unified voice to business and industry across Iowa. In addition to working to influence public policy, ABI helps engage corporate leaders and provide expertise on addressing the top challenges facing Iowa businesses. The association is made up of 1,500 member companies of all types and sizes which are located across Iowa’s 99 counties and collectively, employ more than 330,000.
