Florida is a huge state with a population of 21.3 million – bigger than the populations of many countries! For this reason, any public relations campaigns must be sensitive to the different cultures that exist within the state. Broadly speaking, the culture of Florida is similar to the rest of American Southern culture, but as a coastal state, Florida’s urban culture has also been influenced by immigrant populations, especially those from Europe and Latin America. Cities such as Miami are now defined as a melting pot of different cultures.
A study in 2019 by CherryDigital.co, based on 4 years of data found that the optimum day and time to send a public relations campaigns and press release in Florida is 10.12am or 2.14pm on a Wednesday.
Below is a list of the most influential publications in Florida:
1: Tampa Bay Times
The Tampa Bay Times, previously named the St. Petersburg Times has won twelve Pulitzer Prizes since 1964, and in 2009, won two in a single year for the first time in its history, one of which was for its PolitiFact project.
2. Sun Sentinel
The Sun Sentinel is the main daily newspaper of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as surrounding Broward County and southern Palm Beach County. Owned by Tribune Publishing, it circulates all throughout the three counties that comprise South Florida. It is the largest-circulation newspaper in the area.
3. Orlando Sentinel
Founded in 1876, The Orlando Sentinel is the main daily newspaper circulation in Orlando, Florida. Part of the Tribune Publishing Company, the publication has also been awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its journalism.
4. Miami Herald
Since its inception in 1903, the Miami Herald has won 22 Pulitzer Prizes. It is part of the Miami Herald Media Company (MHMC) and serves news, information and advertising solutions to the diverse South Florida region – the 15th largest market in the US with 4.8 million residents and counting.
5. Palm Beach Post
The Palm Beach Post was founded in 1916 and serves Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast in South Florida. As of 2019, the circulation of the newspaper is 45,478. The publication is currently owned by mass media holding company, Gannett – the largest US newspaper publisher measured by total circulation.
6. The News-Journal (Daytona Beach)
Started back in 1883, The Daytona Beach News-Journal is currently owned by Gannett and has a daily circulation of 61,000. It serves Volusia and Flagler counties on the east coast of Florida.
7. The Villages Daily Sun
The Villages Daily Sun focuses on coverage of local interest to Sumter, Lake and Marion counties in central Florida, and has a circulation of over 55,700. It is one of only two family-owned newspapers in Florida (owned by Villages media Management).
8. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune was founded more than 90 years ago in 1925. The publication – which has transformed into a larger media company called the Herald-Tribune Media Group – covers the Southwest Florida region. It has also won numerous Pulitzer prizes and other recognitions.
9. Florida Times-Union
Known as the oldest newspaper in the state, the Florida Times-Union began in 1864. It is currently owned by Gannett and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.
10. Collier Citizen
The Collier Citizen originates from Naples Daily News and covers the regions of Naples, Collier County and Southwest Florida. This publication is part of the USA Today network.
