Michele's List
Building blocks in the emerging local news ecosystem

TAP into West Essex is an independently-owned local news site operating as a franchisee in the TAPinto.net network. Michael and Lauryn Shapiro launched The Alternative Press in October 2008. In 2013-14, it evolved into a franchise and was later re-branded to TAPinto. The network provides franchisees with tech support, regional ad sales, editorial guidelines and business training in exchange for an annual fee. Publishers Jackie Schatell and Jessica Marrone Parkes also operate TAP into Livingston and TAP into West Orange. Revenue: Advertising