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Advertising with WASBO: A High-Value Opportunity for Service Affiliates

WASBO's publications give service affiliates direct access to one of Wisconsin's most focused education leadership audiences: approximately 1,000 district professional members involved in school business, finance, facilities, operations, human resources, benefits, risk management, technology, purchasing, food service, transportation, and district administration. For companies that serve Wisconsin school districts, WASBO advertising is not simply about impressions. It is about trusted, repeated visibility with the people who help guide district decisions. WASBO members manage budgets, evaluate services, support procurement, plan facilities projects, review renewals, monitor compliance, and keep districts operating effectively. WASBO's publications put service affiliates in front of this audience in a professional context that members already trust. 

Learn more about why you should advertise with WASBO

WASBO advertising reaches the right audience in the right setting. Service affiliates do not need broad, unfocused exposure; they need consistent visibility with the district leaders and influencers who understand their services and help shape future decisions.

Advertising with WASBO helps service affiliates:
  • Build brand recognition and stay visible during critical budget and planning cycles.
  • Align corporate messaging with operational issues members are already actively reading about.
  • Demonstrate industry expertise in a highly trusted professional environment.
  • Maintain a year-round presence instead of relying on high-cost, one-time exposure.
This is especially important because many service affiliate categories are relationship-driven. Districts take time to evaluate partners in areas such as facilities, construction, insurance, benefits, finance, legal services, technology, transportation, food service, custodial services, purchasing, and risk management. WASBO's publications help companies remain familiar and credible before procurement decisions are formally evaluated.

Engagement Highlights

WASBO's publication data shows strong member engagement across its core communication channels:

  • Wisconsin Education News Daily averaged a 66.5% open rate in 2025-26.
  • Top Wisconsin Education News issues reached open rates above 70%.
  • One Act 20-related Wisconsin Education News issue reached an extraordinary 44.0% click rate.
  • Taking Care of Business reached a 70.9% open rate for its August 2025 issue.
  • The February 2026 Taking Care of Business issue reached a 30.5% click rate.
  • More than 200 members chose to pay an additional $25 for a Taking Care of Business print subscription.
  • Multiple WASBO Focus issues exceeded 50% open rates, with the strongest reaching 65.8%.
These results are especially valuable because they come from a highly specialized audience. WASBO members are engaging with content tied directly to district priorities: school finance, referendums, DPI activity, compliance, legal issues, facilities planning, compensation, workforce, operations, and budget pressure. Those are also the areas where service affiliates provide essential support.

Industry Comparison

Against standard corporate and nonprofit metrics, WASBO's reader action rates stand out significantly: WASBO publication engagement compares strongly with broader email marketing benchmarks. MailerLite’s 2026 email benchmark report lists an overall open rate of 43.46%, a nonprofit open rate of 52.38%, an overall click rate of 2.09%, and a nonprofit click rate of 2.90%. Campaign Monitor describes a typical “good” open rate as 17-28% and a typical “good” click-through rate as 2-5%, depending on industry. Against that context, WASBO’s strongest publication results stand out. WISCONSIN EDUCATION NEWS Daily’s 66.5% average open rate, TCOB’s 70.9% top open rate, TCOB’s 30.5% click rate, and the Act 20 WISCONSIN EDUCATION NEWS issue’s 44.0% click rate show that WASBO members are not only receiving publication content, but they are also actively engaging with it.

Benchmark sources: MailerLite Email Marketing Benchmarks and Campaign Monitor Email Metrics Guide.

Publication Value

WASBO's three core publications give advertisers different, complementary ways to reach members throughout the year:

  • Wisconsin Education News: WASBO's high-frequency visibility channel. With a 66.5% average daily open rate, it gives advertisers repeated exposure in a product that members consistently open for timely education news. It is especially valuable for companies connected to school finance, policy, compliance, legal issues, referendums, district operations, and planning.
  • Taking Care of Business (TCOB): WASBO's flagship quarterly professional journal. It offers premium print-plus-digital value, strong engagement, and longer shelf life for advertiser messages. More than 200 members chose to pay an additional $25 for a print subscription, demonstrating a committed audience beyond standard digital distribution. That number is expected to grow as TCOB continues to benefit from the enhanced rigor, stronger editorial planning, and elevated professional-journal approach developed over the past year.
  • WASBO Focus: WASBO's monthly publication on member relations and operations. It keeps sponsors visible between quarterly TCOB issues and works well for practical, member-focused information. Focus is also the best home for sponsored informational content, giving service affiliates a way to educate members while demonstrating expertise.

Bottom Line

WASBO's publications offer service affiliates a strong, targeted, and highly relevant advertising opportunity. The audience is specialized, the engagement is documented, and the publications are explicitly trusted. For service affiliates that want to build recognition, demonstrate expertise, and remain top of mind with Wisconsin school district leaders, advertising in WASBO's publications is a smart and strategic investment.

Multi-Publication Rates

Advertisers using multiple WASBO publications receive multi-publication discounts. WASBO Focus and Wisconsin Education News offer a 20% multi-publication discount. Taking Care of Business offers a 10% multi-publication discount.

WASBO is currently accepting ads for
July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Send Materials & Ask Questions

Email completed contracts, advertising materials, and questions to [email protected].

Member Rates and Terms & Conditions

Member rates are available to companies with at least one active Service Affiliate membership. Also, all advertisers agree to WASBO's Terms and Conditions.

 

PUBLICATION SPONSORSHIPS

WASBO's yearlong publication sponsorships provide service affiliates with consistent exposure across the entire publication network. Interested in a publication sponsorship? Email [email protected]!

Sponsorship Package Annual Rate Included Assets & Benefits
Exclusive Premier Publications Sponsor
Designed for major service affiliates and category
leaders seeking top-tier visibility. One annual
sponsorship is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 		 $12,000
  • Inside front cover ad in all four quarterly issues of Taking Care of Business.
  • First/top ad placement in all 12 monthly issues of WASBO Focus.
  • One week of advertising per month in Wisconsin Education
    News     (12 total weeks).
  • Two sponsored informational content opportunities in WASBO Focus.
  • Exclusive Premier Publications Sponsor recognition.
  • Right of first refusal for the following fiscal year.
Standard Publications Sponsor
Designed for returning advertisers, mid-sized
companies, and affiliates seeking broad yearlong
visibility. Multiple sponsorships are available.		 $7,500
  • Half-page ad in all four quarterly issues of Taking Care of Business.
  • Standard ad placement in 6 monthly issues of WASBO Focus.
  • Six total weeks of advertising in Wisconsin Education News.
  • One sponsored informational content opportunity in WASBO Focus.
  • Standard Publications Sponsor recognition.

Sponsored Informational Content

Sponsored informational content must be educational, clearly labeled, and approved by WASBO. WASBO reserves the right to edit, revise, or decline content to ensure it serves members effectively and maintains the stylistic integrity of WASBO's publications.

Sponsored informational content in WASBO Focus gives service affiliates a practical way to share expertise with members. The strongest sponsored content answers real district questions, explains planning considerations, or helps members think through a challenging operational timeline.

Possible topics include: Facilities inspections before summer projects, annual risk management considerations, compensation and retention planning, cybersecurity purchasing compliance, energy savings planning, referendum preparation, transportation budgeting, food service pressures, or regulatory compliance rules.

EMAIL WASBO TO SECURE YOUR SPONSORSHIP

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Advertising Specifications

  • Accepted format: high-resolution PDF.
  • Page trim size: 8.5” wide x 11” tall.
  • Double page spread and full page ads: 8.5” x 11” per page, no bleed.
  • Two-thirds page: 4.75” x 9” vertical or 6.75” x 7.5” horizontal.
  • Half page: 3.5” x 9” vertical or 7.25” x 4.25” horizontal.
  • Quarter page: 7.25” x 2.25” vertical or 3.5” x 4.25” horizontal.
  • Ads are due on the 15th of the month preceding the publication date.
  • Email ad materials to [email protected].

Wisconsin's quarterly professional journal for school business and operations

Advertise in multiple publications to receive an extra 10% discount. Advertisers contracting for all four issues also receive a 10% four-issue discount.

Taking Care of Business is WASBO's professional journal for school business and operations. The journal is published quarterly and features the latest on government programs and legislation, as well as articles by experts in fields ranging from finance to facilities, transportation, legal, safety, and risk management, and more. Issues are published in February, May, August, and November. By advertising in WASBO's quarterly Taking Care of Business publication, you can reach almost every WASBO member who is reading articles from experts in the field. Past issues of Taking Care of Business are also archived on WASBO's website for additional exposure.
  

Please use the form below or click here to advertise in Taking Care of Business!

 

Ad Rates for Taking Care of Business Per Issue Per Issue with Multi-Publication
OR Four-Issue discount		 Per Issue with Multi-Publication
AND Four-Issue Discount
Double Page Spread
(Two separate pages 7.25” wide x 9” high) 		Members: $2,000
Nonmembers: $2,260 		Members: $1,800
Nonmembers: $2,060 		Members: $1,600
Nonmembers: $1,860
Inside Front or Back Cover Ad (Full Page)
(7.25” wide x 9” high) 		Members: $1,500
Nonmembers: $1,760 		Members: $1,350
Nonmembers: $1,584 		Members: $1,200
Nonmembers: $1,408
Full Page Ad
(7.25” wide x 9” high) 		Members: $930
Nonmembers: $1,190 		Members: $837
Nonmembers: $1,097 		Members: $744
Nonmembers: $1,004
Two-Thirds Page Ad
(4.75” wide x 9” high or 6.75” wide x 7.5” high) 		Members: $750
Nonmembers: $1,010 		Members: $675
Nonmembers: $935 		Members: $600
Nonmembers: $860
Half Page Ad
(3.5” wide x 9” high or 7.25” wide x 4.25” high) 		Members: $505
Nonmembers: $765 		Members: $454.50
Nonmembers: $714.50 		Members: $404
Nonmembers: $664
Quarter Page Ad
(3.5” wide x 4.25” high or 7.25” wide x 2.25” high) 		Members: $355
Nonmembers: $615 		Members: $319.50
Nonmembers: $579.50 		Members: $284
Nonmembers: $544

 

 

WISCONSIN EDUCATION NEWS

Advertising Specifications

  • Accepted formats: GIF, PNG, or JPG.
  • Ad size: 1,024 pixels wide x 165 pixels high.
  • Resolution: 300 pixels per inch.
  • Provide a website URL for the clickable ad destination.
  • Ads are due on the Wednesday prior to the advertiser’s publication week.
  • Wisconsin Education News is published Monday through Friday and weekly on Friday.
  • Two ad contracts are accepted per week. Advertisers will rotate between the top and bottom placements.
  • Email ad materials to [email protected].

Daily and weekly email blast of
education-related news clippings

Advertise in multiple WASBO publications to receive a 20% discount on Wisconsin Education News advertisements.

By advertising in WASBO's daily Wisconsin Education News daily email blast, you can reach over 1,400 WASBO members daily who are reading the latest news from the state. This is WASBO's most-opened and most-clicked email blast. Advertising is in full color and clickable, so your ad takes WASBO Members directly to your website. Wisconsin Education News is published five times per week, Monday through Friday, and weekly on Friday. Ads appear in the daily email blast during the contracted week and also in the weekly email blast during that contracted ad week. If WASBO misses a day during an advertiser’s week, WASBO will run the ad the following week for the number of missed days to complete the contract.

Please use the form below or click here to advertise in Wisconsin Education News!

Ad Rates for Wis. Education News  Per Week Total Cost Per Week with
Multi-Publication Discount		 Total Cost
One Week
(5 Daily Ads | 1 Weekly Ad)		 Members: $500
Nonmembers: $760		 Members: $500
Nonmembers: $760		 Members: $400
Nonmembers: $660		 Members: $400
Nonmembers: $660
Two Weeks
(10 Daily Ads | 2 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $490
Nonmembers: $750		 Members: $980
Nonmembers: $1,500		 Members: $392
Nonmembers: $652		 Members: $784
Nonmembers: $1,304
Three Weeks
(15 Daily Ads | 3 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $480
Nonmembers: $740		 Members: $1,440
Nonmembers: $2,220		 Members: $384
Nonmembers: $644		 Members: $1,152
Nonmembers: $1,932
Four Weeks
(20 Daily Ads | 4 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $470
Nonmembers: $730		 Members: $1,880
Nonmembers: $2,920		 Members: $376
Nonmembers: $636		 Members: $1,504
Nonmembers: $2,544
Five Weeks
(25 Daily Ads | 5 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $460
Nonmembers: $720		 Members: $2,300
Nonmembers: $3,600		 Members: $368
Nonmembers: $628		 Members: $1,840
Nonmembers: $3,140
Six Weeks
(30 Daily Ads | 6 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $450
Nonmembers: $710		 Members: $2,700
Nonmembers: $4,260		 Members: $360
Nonmembers: $620		 Members: $2,160
Nonmembers: $3,720
Seven Weeks
(35 Daily Ads | 7 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $440
Nonmembers: $700		 Members: $3,080
Nonmembers: $4,900		 Members: $352
Nonmembers: $612		 Members: $2,464
Nonmembers: $4,284
Eight Weeks
(40 Daily Ads | 8 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $430
Nonmembers: $690		 Members: $3,440
Nonmembers: $5,520		 Members: $344
Nonmembers: $604		 Members: $2,752
Nonmembers: $4,832
Nine Weeks
(45 Daily Ads | 9 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $420
Nonmembers: $680		 Members: $3,780
Nonmembers: $6,120		 Members: $336
Nonmembers: $596		 Members: $3,024
Nonmembers: $5,364
Ten Weeks
(50 Daily Ads | 10 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $410
Nonmembers: $670		 Members: $4,100
Nonmembers: $6,700		 Members: $328
Nonmembers: $588		 Members: $3,280
Nonmembers: $5,880
Eleven Weeks
(55 Daily Ads | 11 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $400
Nonmembers: $660		 Members: $4,400
Nonmembers: $7,260		 Members: $320
Nonmembers: $580		 Members: $3,520
Nonmembers: $6,380
Twelve Weeks
(60 Daily Ads | 12 Weekly Ads)		 Members: $390
Nonmembers: $650		 Members: $4,680
Nonmembers: $7,800		 Members: $312
Nonmembers: $572		 Members: $3,744
Nonmembers: $6,864

 

 

WASBO FOCUS

Advertising Specifications

  • Accepted formats: GIF, PNG, or JPG.
  • Ad size: 1,024 pixels wide x 165 pixels high.
  • Resolution: 300 pixels per inch.
  • Provide a website URL for the clickable ad destination.
  • Advertisements are due on the first of each month.
  • Issues are published in the latter half of each month.
  • Email ad materials to [email protected].

WASBO's monthly review and school
operations outlook e-newsletter

Advertise in multiple WASBO publications to receive a 20% discount on WASBO Focus advertisements.

WASBO Focus is your monthly review and school operations outlook. This WASBO publication features a mix of timely and vital information concerning the profession, member moves, updates on upcoming WASBO Professional Development opportunities, and more. By advertising in WASBO's monthly WASBO Focus e-newsletter, you can reach over 1,400 WASBO members who are reading the latest and most vital news about their organization. Past issues of WASBO Focus are also archived on WASBO's website for additional exposure. Advertising is in full color and clickable, so your ad takes WASBO Members directly to your website.

Please use the form below or click here to advertise in WASBO Focus!

Ad Rates for WASBO Focus Per Issue Total Cost Per Issue with
Multi-Publication Discount		 Total Cost
One Digital Ad, First/Top Ad in Newsletter Members: $475
Nonmembers: $735		 Members: $475
Nonmembers: $735		 Members: $380
Nonmembers: $640		 Members: $380
Nonmembers: $640
One Digital Ad Members: $400
Nonmembers: $660		 Members: $400
Nonmembers: $660		 Members: $320
Nonmembers: $580		 Members: $320
Nonmembers: $580
Two Digital Ads Members: $390
Nonmembers: $650		 Members: $780
Nonmembers: $1,300		 Members: $312
Nonmembers: $572		 Members: $624
Nonmembers: $1,144
Four Digital Ads Members: $380
Nonmembers: $640		 Members: $1,520
Nonmembers: $2,560		 Members: $304
Nonmembers: $564		 Members: $1,216
Nonmembers: $2,256
Six Digital Ads Members: $370
Nonmembers: $630		 Members: $2,220
Nonmembers: $3,780		 Members: $296
Nonmembers: $556		 Members: $1,776
Nonmembers: $3,336
Six Digital Ads, First/Top Ad in Newsletter Members: $450
Nonmembers: $710		 Members: $2,700
Nonmembers: $4,260		 Members: $360
Nonmembers: $620		 Members: $2,160
Nonmembers: $3,720
12 Digital Ads Members: $360
Nonmembers: $620		 Members: $4,320
Nonmembers: $7,440		 Members: $288
Nonmembers: $548		 Members: $3,456
Nonmembers: $6,576

 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The following terms summarize the common advertising terms across WASBO publications. Publication-specific schedules, rates, ad sizes, accepted formats, and deadlines remain part of each applicable contract.

  • Advertising contracts are not binding until accepted by the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials.
  • Ad space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Placements may rotate unless otherwise stated.
  • Advertisers must provide advertising copy electronically in the format required by the selected publication and in accordance with the applicable publication schedule.
  • Checks are payable to the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials. Depending on the publication, companies may be billed in full or after each issue. Payment may be made by check, online with a credit card, or by calling the WASBO office to pay with a credit card.
  • Once WASBO has begun layout or production work, or once submitted advertising copy has been modified by WASBO, the advertiser may not cancel the contract as a matter of course or avoid payment due under the contract.
  • Should the terms of this contract become impossible for the publisher to meet for any reason, the advertiser agrees to waive any legal rights that may otherwise be present.
  • The advertiser agrees to waive legal claims arising from an error or mistake concerning the inclusion, exclusion, placement, or appearance of an advertisement.
  • The advertiser agrees not to hold WASBO, its employees, agents, independent contractors, or related individuals or organizations liable for incidental or consequential damages related to submitted advertising.
  • The advertiser is solely responsible for issues arising from submitted advertising that violates state or federal laws or regulations, including reimbursement of legal fees and expenses incurred as a result of the submitted advertising copy.
  • Publisher (WASBO) reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. It is the policy of WASBO not to publish any advertisement that discriminates against anyone on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry in violation of Wisconsin Statutes 942.04. Further, it is the policy of WASBO not to publish any false and unauthorized advertisement nor any advertisement containing any libelous matter, remarks or comments.