Indy Star's Bizarre Tale of Real-Life Exorcism Wins Huge Mobile Traffic, but Cashing In Is Harder

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Haunted House Story a 'Serendipitous' Big Draw for Gannett Paper
By: Michael Sebastian
Published: February 11, 2014
Ad Age Media News

... Ghost stories are a huge draw.

"The exorcisms of Latoya Ammons," a 5,300-word feature by investigative reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski, has become one of the most widely read pieces in the paper's history since it was published last month, according to Jeff Taylor, the Star's editor and VP-news ...

"There has been no other article since we've started tracking in-depth metrics around our mobile suite of products that has attracted such volume of visits and engagement," said Kevin Poortinga, managing editor at the Indy Star, in an email. Facebook was the largest source of referrals ...

The increased traffic helped fulfill existing ad campaigns, said Doug Wilson, chief marketing officer at the Indy Star ...

http://adage.com/article/media/indy-star-s-exorcism-story-a-big-draw-mobile-devices/291619/

[trotsky]

1. A real-life exorcism? Wow!

No wonder some people might feel like they should try one themselves!

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. But the Rev. Michael Maginot has signed his deal

Maybe the Indy Star should have registered as a tax-free religion before pushing the story?

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3. ... Gary police Capt. Charles Austin, who investigated Ammons' claims, said he expected notoriety

and figured a movie would come of this ... Austin .. told The Star he's been contacted by media outlets from 20 countries, including Australia, France and in the United Kingdom ...
Alleged demon home sells for $35,000
Marisa Kwiatkowski
The Indianapolis Star
10:40 p.m. EST January 29, 2014

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4. ... MailOnline has obtained exclusive audio and video footage ...

MailOnline's exclusive footage taken inside the home is shaky as the camera pans to and fro moving from room to room – each in a state of disarray, left in haste - before descending into the basement ...

Cary Indiana Police Captain Charles Austin, 62, was there the day the footage seen here was recorded.

Speaking to MailOnline he said: ‘Everyone of us who was there that day in the basement and who saw what we saw, went through what we went through ...

'We almost lost our lives': Woman possessed by demons in 'portal to hell' house that terrified even the police chief reveals new details of her family's terrifying ordeal
By Daily Mail Reporters
PUBLISHED: 20:42 EST, 30 January 2014
UPDATED: 18:41 EST, 31 January 2014

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5. ... Maginot, of St. Stephen, Martyr parish in Merrillville, declined to disclose the terms

of his contract with Evergreen Executive Chairman Tony DeRosa-Grund, calling it a “standard deal.” DeRosa-Grund produced “The Conjuring,” grossing $318 million worldwide ...

Maginot said he also signed a contract with Zak Bagans, host and executive producer of “Ghost Adventures” on the Travel Channel, to make a documentary.

Bagans purchased the Carolina Street home ...

Priest signs film deals after well-publicized exorcisms of Latoya Ammons
By Marisa Kwiatkowski
8:57 p.m. EST February 5, 2014

Looks like he signed two media deals