5th anniversary for Iconoclast 2.0

By Paula Pyzik Scott
[email protected] / 567-400-4266

It’s my fifth anniversary as editor-owner of the Bluffton Icon and Ada Icon. Now in my sixth decade of life and my fourth decade of Ada-Bluffton residency, I’m working to make sure the Icons survive me and maintain local focus, content creation and ownership.

In 2026, I began hiring more reporters and delegating editorial duties so that I can eventually take a part-time role and focus on Icon advertising, promotion and long-range planning.

During my time as the Iconoclast 2.0–a name styled by Icon founder Fred Steiner–I’ve seen both the Bluffton News and the Ada Herald weekly print newspapers fold. I don’t think these closures were due to a lack of interest in local news. Print is simply slow and expensive.

What do the Icons need to do to survive and even thrive?

1. Inspire the involvement of more local writers and photographers.
2. Broaden a foundation of sponsors among local businesses and organizations. 
3. Stay free.

The Icons don't operate like a typical news organization. We offer made-from-scratch content generated by a home-based business. My office is also a guest bedroom. Fred Steiner’s Icon mission control center was in his basement. 

I’ve been asked if I’m worried about AI’s impact on the Icons. AI can’t create reliable content when the information it seeks has yet to hit the internet. I’m actually more concerned about the inaccuracies of the social media rumor mill.

The Icons’ value is rooted in information and photos from primary sources. It is based on first-person reporting of events and ongoing conversations with local leaders and decision-makers. 

Last but not least, I want the Icons to stay free. Why should news only be available to those who have their credit cards at the ready?

If I were an advertiser, I’d have a hard time signing up with a platform accessible to only a small fraction of local residents and workers. Advertising isn’t just a way to keep the Icons online, it's a key service to readers who depend on local, independent businesses.

If you'd like to support the Icons as a content creator or sponsor, or if you have ideas on how to make our news and advertising services better, please call 567-400-4266 or email [email protected].

Thank you for being an Ada Icon and/or Bluffton Icon reader.

OCTOBER 2025-SEPTEMBER 2026 ICON YEAR IN REVIEW

Ada Icon

• 320K viewer sessions
• 197K active users
• 5.2K Facebook followers

Bluffton Icon

• 571K viewer sessions
• 271K active users
• 7.6K Facebook followers