New California Media Launches Online News Portal

Posted on May 7, 1999

New California Media, a fast-growing coalition of more than 100 California ethnic media and civic education groups founded by Pacific News Service, today officially launched NCM Online, a multi-ethnic news portal.

This beta version will provide key news and views of California's multi-lingual ethnic media. It also will facilitate an inter-ethnic media exchange for NCM members and offer a growing database and a "Who's Who" of both print and electronic ethnic news outlets.

The announcement was made at a press conference today at the San Francisco Hilton that also named the "NCM Ten to Watch," and detailed the first-ever NCM EXPO of Ethnic Media and Marketing. NCM Online will be used to raise support and awareness for the EXPO, which will take place at Pier 35 in San Francisco on May 27, followed that night by the Second Annual NCM Awards Banquet, also at the Hilton, honoring excellence in multi-lingual ethnic print journalism.

"As more and more advertisers and ad agencies seek access to California's booming ethnic markets, NCM Online will help them navigate the diversity and fragmentation of the ethnic media," said Sandy Close, executive editor of Pacific News Service. Its key role, however, is editorial. It is all about showcasing the extraordinary diversity of stories, voices and perspectives of the ethnic news media, which Close calls "the real alternative media of the '90s."