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S T R A T E G I C G R O W T H P L A ND E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2C O N F I D E N T I A LP R E P A R E D B Y :A V E M A R I A P R E S S S T R A T E G I C P L A N N I N G T E A M

A B O U T :Even after more than 150 years, AveMaria Press remains committed to thecore mission set by Rev. Edward Sorin,C.S.C., in 1865 as he established theCongregation of Holy Cross in theUnited States.Ave was the third apostolate of HolyCross founded in the US by themissionary priest, following theUniversity of Notre Dame and St.Joseph’s Parish in South Bend, Indiana.Fr. Sorin started The Ave Mariamagazine to honor Mary, focus onCatholic families, and showcase thebest American Catholic writing. A V E ' S L E G A C YNow established as a major Catholic book publisher and still underthe ownership of the United States Province of the Congregation ofHoly Cross, Ave Maria Press is home to Sorin Books, Forest of Peace,and Christian Classics. It perpetuates Fr. Sorin's vision to honorMary and provides an important outlet for good Catholic writing andremains one of the oldest, continually operating Catholic publishinghouses in the country and a leader in publishing Catholic high schoolreligion textbooks, ministry resources, and books on prayer andspirituality.A Legacy ofBlessingFamilies

T H E F U T U R EO U R P O T E N T I A L I M P A C T O V E R T H E N E X T F I V E Y E A R SAs we see less faith community memberships and less young adultsbeing religiously affiliated than in the past, the traditions ofCatholism are challenged perhaps more than ever to be seen asrelevant to our socially diverse audiences around the world. We believe that Ave Maria Press move the needle in faith today bysharing the stories of Jesus and moving the Church to be a life-givingsource. Ave is a voice for the Holy Cross to show all people how to'abide with' and make God known, loved, and served... as the answerto hope in such polarized and uncertain times. After over a hundred years of inspiring Catholics through traditionalbook publishing sharing stories about the Word of God, Ave MariaPress faces the challenge to transcend its ability to repackage itsquality works and reach a broader audience with multimediaproducts. The foundation of its traditional and often categorized,centrist-based works, offers a solid foundation for inspiring aspiritual community with a spectrum of material to be broadcastedto the world of spiritual seekers and Catholic disciples.

W H A T I S A V EM A R I A ?A S E L F - S U S T A I N I N GC A T H O L I C P U B L I S H I N GM I N I S T R Y O F T H EC O N G R E G A T I O N O FH O L Y C R O S S .

W H A T D O E SA V E M A R I A D O ?W E E D U C A T E , I N S P I R E ,A N D E V A N G E L I Z E I NW A Y S T H A T B R I N GH O P E A N D D E E P E NF A I T H .

H O W D O E S A V EM A R I A D O I T SM I S S I O N ?B Y P U B L I S H I N G H I G H -Q U A L I T Y ,T R U S T W O R T H YC O N T E N T T H A T I N V I T E SY O U I N T O O U R F A M I L YO F F A I T H .

W H Y D O E S A V EM A R I A D O I T ?O U R M I S S I O N I S T OH E L P P E O P L E K N O W ,L O V E , A N D S E R V E G O D .

W H O I S T H EA V E M A R I AA U D I E N C E ?O U R A U D I E N C EI N C L U D E S C A T H O L I C S ,A N Y O N E S E E K I N G AR E L A T I O N S H I P W I T HT H E L O R D , A N D T H ES P I R I T U A L L Y C U R I O U S .

G R O W T HS T R A T E G I E SB R I N G I N G C A T H O L I C I S MT O N E W H E I G H T S O FA C C E S S A B I L I T Y

We have considered our competitive positioning among over adozen other Catholic publishers. To make an impact as a life-giving source of hope - for making God known, loved, andserved - we determined that we must develop ourcompetencies to embrace creating digital multimedia solutionsserving both seekers and disciples. C O M P E T I T I V E A D V A N T A G EH O W D O W E D I F F E R E N T I A T E O U R S E L V E S A N DB E C O M E T H E C A T H O L I C P U B L I S H E R O FC H O I C E ?" I N S P I R E A N D E N G A G ER E A D E R S I N N E W O N L I N E A N DO F F L I N E C O N V E R S A T I O N S . "

G O A L 1 :Objective 1: Develop multimedia programs andcontent for every book in curriculumand parish in the three years (newbooks) to increase revenue by XX%.Objective 2:Develop multimedia programs andcontent for 35% of trade bookswithin the next three years (newbooks) to increase revenue by XX%.Objective 3:Increase online and socialengagement by 300% within threeyears to increase revenue by XX%.D E V E L O P A N D M O N E T I Z EM U L T I M E D I A C O N T E N TI T ' S P O S S I B L E T O M O N E T I Z E Y O U R A R TA N D M E A N I N G W I T H O U TC O M P R O M I S I N G I N T E G R I T Y T O A S S U R EI T ' S R E A L I Z E D A N D A P P R E C I A T E D .C O R E S T R A T E G I E SDetermine multimedia platforms,portalsAcquire multimedia resourcesDevelop online subscription modelDevelop partnershipsDevelop enhanced contentAcquire multimedia resourcesDevelop author relations andengagement planAcquire star authors for videocontentComplete social media auditAcquire multimedia resourcesDevelop affiliate programDevelop strategic partnerships(WOF, Grotto Network)Grow social media following withnew content, video, Explores,Spotlights

G O A L 2 :Objective 1: Within the first six months, createand implement three-day order andshipping process.Objective 2:Design and implement programs toreduce production time to 30 dayswithin one year.Objective 3:Set acceptable parameters (GPM) tomeet or exceed traditional printedGPM.I M P R O V E P R O C E S S E S T OI N C R E A S E S P E E D T OM A R K E TS M A L L C O M P E T I T O R S C A N O U T P A C E T H EB I G . . . T H E F A S T E S T T O M A R K E T A L W A Y SW I N S . C O R E S T R A T E G I E SEvaluate shipping inefficiencesDevelop three-day order/shippingprocessImplement online order, shipping andcommunication technologiesAssess production scheduling processCreate cross-functional Fast Track "FT"team to determine FT approval andproduction process feasibilityDesign templating for production,design, editorialIdentify and engage contributorsDesign and implement evaluationprocess for contributorsEvaluate printing processSet parameters for contributor contentDetermine process for decidingprint/digital productionTemplating for design, editorial, sales,marketingRoyalties plan

G O A L 3 :Objective 1: Develop a more user-friendly onlinecommunity and increase customerengagement within the first 18months.Objective 2:Attract quality authors with solidplatforms and achieve XX%retention.Objective 3:Develop more personalizedrelationships with readers within 12months.B U I L D A N A V EC O M M U N I T Y A M O N GS T A F F , A U T H O R S A N DR E A D E R S T O C R E A T E AC O N N E C T E D W O WE X P E R I E N C EG E N U I N E C O N N E C T I O N C R E A T E S E N E R G YW H E N P E O P L E A R E S E E N W I T H O U TB E I N G J U D G E D .C O R E S T R A T E G I E SDevelop online community plan forall segmentsDevelop website functions,processes and plan needed (ordering,24/7 chat, payments)Select, design and implementwebsite portal and teamDetermine author segments and needsDesign programs for authors - training,dedicated pages, newsletters, resourcesImplement author care program - tosupport expectations, meetings,mentoring, handlingComplete reader surveys, focus groups Implement reader programs - bookclubs, idea board, social media,endorsements, online chatImplement segmented customer serviceprogramsIntegrate CRM, follow up systems

G O A L 4 :Objective 1: Increase staff retention andattraction to reach full employment and work/life balance and jobsatisfaction.Objective 2:Optimize and integrate IT systemsto increase targeted efficiency andanalysis.Objective 3:Expand operations to increasetargeted productivity and analysis.B U I L D I N T E R N A LC A P A C I T Y T O L E A P F R O GC O M P E T E N C I E S R E Q U I R E DF O R G R O W T HW I T H O U T B U I L D I N G N E WC O M P E T E N C I E S , W E H A V E N O S K I L L S T OG R O W T O W A R D T H E F U T U R E .C O R E S T R A T E G I E SImplement performance managementsystem - reviews, training, roles, goalsImplement recruiting, onboardingprocess for needed rolesDevelop company policy handbookComplete compensation analysisLeadership and team buildingprogramsImplement website and CRMImplement ERPImplement virtual CloudIntegrate all systems where possibleImplement analysis and reportingComplete operational analysis andprocess mappingImplement project management systemImplement LEAN initiativesDevelop partnerships to streamlineprocesses and gain needed skills

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P R I M A R Y P A R T N E R SAs we leapfrog our competencies to rapidly advance our skills tothe next level needed to implement our strategies in the settimeframes, strategic partnerships will be critical to our success.B U I L D I N G C O M P E T E N C I E ST H R O U G H P A R T N E R S H I P Sauthorsmultimedia, designersonline publishersprintersvendors - IT, distribution finance specialists

O U R E V O L U T I O N O FG R O W T H P L A N N I N GS E E O U R U P C O M I N GD E T A I L E D P L A N S F O RM O R E I N F O R M A T I O N