Kathy Googe joins newspaper as advertising sales specialist

The newest member of The People-Sentinel’s team is no stranger to the newspaper.

Kathy Googe joined the newspaper in January as an advertising sales specialist to help businesses find the print and digital advertising options to meet their needs. However, she’s not new to the business or newspaper. She previously worked for The People-Sentinel for more than 12 years.

“I am excited to rejoin the team because I miss helping businesses with their advertising needs. It brought me joy to see the business grow knowing I helped. I made friends with my advertisers, and over the years I have kept in touch. I am happy that Jonathan wants me to be on the team part time. I look forward to helping more businesses grow,” said Googe.

The Barnwell native originally joined the newspaper while still in high school. She started by making phone calls to get new subscribers and later helped place inserts in the newspaper. From 1993 to 2005, she was an advertising sales representative.

“I have been a full-time mom and farm owner for the last 18 years since I worked for The People-Sentinel. I love every minute I get to spend with my family,” said Googe, who is a wife, mother, and grandmother.

With her youngest daughter set to graduate from high school this year, Googe is excited to return to the newspaper and come up with new sales strategies to once again help local businesses.

“I love helping people with their businesses. I know our newspaper is the way to do that. I used to tell my advertisers that they can hold a newspaper in their hand and look at it when they want to. When is the last time you remember something you heard or saw one time? Coming up with new campaigns and ideas for the advertisers has always been one of the most rewarding parts of the job,” she said.

The second sales position was added in order to help the newspaper grow its advertising side of the business. This includes adding more special sections that have not been done in many years due to cutbacks from previous owners.

“Since I purchased the newspaper in July 2021, I’ve worked to grow our team and content. We’ve worked really hard to add more news and features content, which has doubled the size of the weekly paper. We now look forward to growing advertising by resurrecting many special sections that haven’t been done in a while, such as the wedding guide and a fall football preview, in addition to some fun, new ideas,” said publisher Jonathan Vickery.

During her first day on the job, Googe joined Vickery and fellow advertising sales specialist Jana Darnell Schroeder to start planning ideas for 2024.

“I am excited to have Kathy rejoin our team. I have known Kathy for many years. Though I didn’t work with her previously, her record for repeat customers and long-lasting relationships with her clients is well known at the newspaper,” said Vickery.

Googe said she likes The People-Sentinel because it is a place to learn facts rather than rumors and gossip.

“We are blessed to get the real story with real facts and without biased opinions. I know I would be lost every Wednesday if I couldn't receive our community newspaper in the mail. I enjoy seeing the ads, pictures, and reading the news articles, birth and wedding announcements, sports, and all that make the paper a local asset to our community,” said Googe. “If you don't have your subscription, you are missing out. Call 803-259-3501 or stop by the office.”

When asked what she loves about her community, the lifelong resident of Barnwell County said, “I love the compassion that we have for one another in our towns. Over the years we have had countless stories of devastation, loss, and people in need in our communities in the paper. We always come together to help in some way. I think those are some of the things that bind us together as one. It is powerful to see a whole community supporting others.”

She and her husband Luther own and operate G-6 Farm where they grow and sell hay. They have four daughters and are also proud grandparents.

To learn more about advertising with The People-Sentinel, contact Googe at kathy@thepeoplesentinel.com or (803) 300-2399.