A managing partner at Bain Capital is among three parties interested in buying the Boston Globe newspaper, according to Financial Times.
Bain’s Stephen Pagliuca, who co-owns the Boston Celtics basketball team, has emerged as a potential buyer of the daily newspaper, which is being sold by the New York Times Company.
The Times Company is reportedly seeking a buyer for the Boston newspaper after cutting Globe employees’ pay by 23 percent. The Globe is said to be on track to lose $85m this year.
The newspaper’s management is currently in negotiations with Boston Newspaper Guild over cost-cutting measures, but the union is said to be hopeful of a settlement soon.
Pagliuca is apparently willing to discuss working with union leaders, according to the FT.
Other potential buyers include former advertising executive Jack Connors and Stephen Taylor, a former executive at the Globe and a member of the family that controlled it until its sale to the Times Company in 1993.
(Courtesy of altassets.com)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
N.Y. Times Co. Shops The Boston Globe
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
And according to WCVB out of Boston, the New York Times Company "reversed course Tuesday and said there were no plans to close the paper."
Full Story Here
And according to WCVB out of Boston, the New York Times Company "reversed course Tuesday and said there were no plans to close the paper."
Full Story Here
(Courtesy of upi.com and thebostonchannel.com)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Boston Globe Union Rejects Cuts, Times To Slash Pay
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
I wanted to post the full article here but my computer thinks it's smarter than me and I'm not willing to fight that battle right now...
(Courtesy Rock102.com, Story Copyright 2009, Reuters)
I wanted to post the full article here but my computer thinks it's smarter than me and I'm not willing to fight that battle right now...
(Courtesy Rock102.com, Story Copyright 2009, Reuters)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Making of the Prius "Harmony" TV Commercial
So, originally I was just going to post the video and blather about how much I love this spot....
But this is better - A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the commercial!
(If you only want to see the actual commercial, skip ahead to about 4:08)
(Courtesy of Toyota)
But this is better - A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the commercial!
(If you only want to see the actual commercial, skip ahead to about 4:08)
(Courtesy of Toyota)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A Newspaper Business Model That's Working
Those of us in the newspaper industry have been closely following the struggles of the daily newspapers for some time now. Business models have changed, advertising has changed, prices keep going up, and readers are finding their news elsewhere.
However, I'd like to point out (again) that weekly and community papers should not be listed among these seriously struggling major news entities.
Dan McDonough Jr. and Alan Bauer - founders of a community newspaper/media company based in Haddonfield, N.J. - comment on this topic in a recent article:
Further:
I wholeheartedly agree that local news is a product that is never going to get stale.
However, I strongly disagree that charging advertisers more will help big newspapers turn things around. The majority of newspaper revenue already comes in from advertising, not reader subscriptions. As someone who works with newspapers daily, I'll tell you that big newspapers already charge their advertisers a ridiculous amount of money, and raising prices any higher would cause some major waves in an already tumultuous industry.
A better solution? Work with advertising agencies to create relationships that are mutually beneficial! Many of the community newspapers (and newspaper associations) have taken this route, and according to the recent revenue numbers, it seems to have been a wise choice.
(Courtesy of The Christian Science Monitor and Yahoo! News)
However, I'd like to point out (again) that weekly and community papers should not be listed among these seriously struggling major news entities.
Dan McDonough Jr. and Alan Bauer - founders of a community newspaper/media company based in Haddonfield, N.J. - comment on this topic in a recent article:
The National Newspaper Association (NNA) last month reported on a study that showed community newspapers were far less affected by the challenging economy than the industry in general (or the economy in general, for that matter). The Suburban Newspapers of America and NNA's reporting group showed 2008 fourth-quarter advertising revenue of $428.7 million, only a 6.6 percent decline from the same quarter in 2007. The Glennco Consulting Group estimate was much worse, however, for the overall newspaper industry. There it showed decline in fourth-quarter advertising expenditures of 21 percent, according to the NNA.
So while advertisers cut their spending by 21 percent across the industry, the impact to community newspapers was less than 7 percent.
In addition, 26 percent of the SNA/NNA reporting group launched new products in 2008. Indeed, many community newspaper companies are growing.
Further:
We know that, for advertising to be effective, people have to actually see the ads. Our business model and philosophy of making sure "Everybody Gets It. Everybody Reads It." pushes us to bring local news not found elsewhere to everybody who has an address in town [...]
For instance, huge regional daily newspapers would do better to stop requiring people to subscribe and instead deliver the paper to everybody in their target demographic (the market that key advertisers want to reach). If big newspapers would charge the advertisers, not the readers, they could still turn things around.
I wholeheartedly agree that local news is a product that is never going to get stale.
However, I strongly disagree that charging advertisers more will help big newspapers turn things around. The majority of newspaper revenue already comes in from advertising, not reader subscriptions. As someone who works with newspapers daily, I'll tell you that big newspapers already charge their advertisers a ridiculous amount of money, and raising prices any higher would cause some major waves in an already tumultuous industry.
A better solution? Work with advertising agencies to create relationships that are mutually beneficial! Many of the community newspapers (and newspaper associations) have taken this route, and according to the recent revenue numbers, it seems to have been a wise choice.
(Courtesy of The Christian Science Monitor and Yahoo! News)
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Great KFC "Free Chicken" Fiasco
We all know the story - Oprah gives out free KFC coupons, people flock to KFC, and then KFC runs out of chicken, prompting chicken-fueled chaos (or non-chicken, in this case)!
Obviously, this woman has the power to influence people. And I'll tell you, nothing gets people moving like the word FREE, especially when it comes from someone as influential as Oprah.
Well, imagine the pandemonium (riots!) when we find out there isn't enough chicken for America to cash in its free coupons. KFC is out of chicken? Really? Uh-oh, that can't be good...
So in a very obvious "save the campaign" PR move, I start seeing various commercial spots this weekend (like the one below):
From a PR standpoint, great crisis management. Reassure the people, let them know you care and appreciate the overwhelming response, while at the same providing a way to cash in on the freebie.
Oprah said, "Let them eat chicken!" And Roger Eaton replied, "Just not in the next few weeks..."
Obviously, this woman has the power to influence people. And I'll tell you, nothing gets people moving like the word FREE, especially when it comes from someone as influential as Oprah.
Well, imagine the pandemonium (riots!) when we find out there isn't enough chicken for America to cash in its free coupons. KFC is out of chicken? Really? Uh-oh, that can't be good...
So in a very obvious "save the campaign" PR move, I start seeing various commercial spots this weekend (like the one below):
From a PR standpoint, great crisis management. Reassure the people, let them know you care and appreciate the overwhelming response, while at the same providing a way to cash in on the freebie.
Oprah said, "Let them eat chicken!" And Roger Eaton replied, "Just not in the next few weeks..."
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Boston Globe - Optimistic or Desperate?
After hearing rumors a month or so ago that the Boston Globe was going to close, and after their April 4th article explaining how the NYT Company threatened to shut them down unless the unions agree to make concessions, I can't say I was surprised to see this commercial start popping up during recent Red Sox games.
Dan Kennedy of Media Nation quoted a source inside the Globe (from April 4):
Obviously, the Globe has to do SOMETHING to save the sinking ship. But is this move desperation or optimism? (Dan Kennedy calls it "The Globe's oddly timed ad campaign")
Sure, they're compelling ads and we all appreciate the message. The hometown paper gives you stories that matter in your life, reports of people you care about in your neighborhood, and keeps you connected in the local community. It's a feel-good campaign that just oozes a "We know what you want to read because we live here, too" sentiment. How could you NOT appreciate that feeling and want to stand behind the Globe?
Well, here's one reason - The Globe and Herald just announced that single-copy prices are going up. Sure, it's not much (25 cents on weekdays and a dollar on Sunday), but for a struggling paper that's looking for a strong local backing to keep it afloat, raising prices for the locals is not going to sit well.
Stay tuned for more updates....
(Courtesy of Media Nation and Boston Globe)
Dan Kennedy of Media Nation quoted a source inside the Globe (from April 4):
...the Globe will launch a new brand campaign that reinforces the value of the Globe's journalism among our core readers. A TV commercial showcases the Globe's award-winning photography while focusing on the compelling stories found in the Globe. The spots (60 sec. & 30 sec.) will initially run on NESN during the highly rated Red Sox games. More than 24 print ads were created to run in the Globe and Metro. On-line ads will run on Boston.com. The campaign also has a Web page with all the creative where readers or advertisers can find more information. The entire campaign was conceived and executed internally by our marketing and creative services teams.
Obviously, the Globe has to do SOMETHING to save the sinking ship. But is this move desperation or optimism? (Dan Kennedy calls it "The Globe's oddly timed ad campaign")
Sure, they're compelling ads and we all appreciate the message. The hometown paper gives you stories that matter in your life, reports of people you care about in your neighborhood, and keeps you connected in the local community. It's a feel-good campaign that just oozes a "We know what you want to read because we live here, too" sentiment. How could you NOT appreciate that feeling and want to stand behind the Globe?
Well, here's one reason - The Globe and Herald just announced that single-copy prices are going up. Sure, it's not much (25 cents on weekdays and a dollar on Sunday), but for a struggling paper that's looking for a strong local backing to keep it afloat, raising prices for the locals is not going to sit well.
Stay tuned for more updates....
(Courtesy of Media Nation and Boston Globe)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wall Street Journal Recognizes Strength of Community Newspapers
The loyalty and buying power of community newspaper readers are among the attributes that continue to be recognized by advertisers and investors, and most recently by a story in the April 28, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal.
The story confirmed many facts about smaller market papers that industry insiders have long recognized. Specifically, that one of the many attractions of smaller papers is their intense local focus and community connections, which continue to generate solid returns for advertisers and smaller market newspaper owners.
Newspaper industry leaders echoed the findings in the financial publication's story.
“Newspapers are too often painted with a broad brush, and it’s nice to see The Wall Street Journal acknowledge the realities and diversification of our industry,” said Gareth Charter, publisher of six weekly newspapers in Massachusetts. “Of course, we are affected by the economy, but community publishing has a very bright future. We purchased a 21-year-old weekly in May 2007 and grew its revenue 30% the first year. It’s up another 19% through (the first quarter) of this year.”
The Wall Street Journal article focused on three newspaper executives who recently purchased or are in the process of purchasing community newspapers. Advertising revenue has remained relatively consistent for many smaller papers, a significant and noteworthy explanation for why community newspapers are continuing to draw advertiser and investor interest.
This story in The Wall Street Journal underscores a message spread by Suburban Newspapers of America (SNA), an industry trade association representing more than 2,000 suburban and community newspapers.
"Community papers, with their hyper-local coverage and ‘news you can't get anywhere else’ advantage, remain the bright spot in the industry," said Nancy Lane, president of SNA. "While community papers are also impacted by the economy, it is often to a much lesser degree than our larger counterparts. And even though the effects of the economy have carried over into the first quarter of 2009, community papers and their related Web sites are in a better position to take advantage of new and bold opportunities, many of which involve shifting dollars from major and national advertisers."
Indeed, according to Lane, LocalPoint Media, the SNA-affiliated national advertising network launched in late 2007 to represent the community segment of the industry, has attracted several new advertisers in 2009 such as ExxonMobil, USAirways, New York Life, Pedigree Dog Food and others that have not traditionally used community media. Just last week, a national restaurant chain purchased an extensive online-only buy using community newspaper Web sites. LocalPoint Media will be announcing other initiatives in the coming weeks that will provide tremendous new revenue opportunities for community papers and their related Web sites.
According to The Wall Street Journal, purchasers of the local newspapers also cited greater consistency of classified ad revenue and a loyal, local advertising base as reasons for investing in community newspapers.
Quarterly financial surveys conducted jointly by SNA and the National Newspaper Association (NNA) support this belief. Based on four quarters of survey results, overall advertising revenue for the participating suburban and community newspapers declined an estimated 3.6% for the full year 2008 versus a decline of 16.6% percent for the industry in general as reported by the Newspaper Association of America (NAA). SNA/NNA financial data is based on responses to quarterly surveys from publishers of hundreds of daily and weekly community newspapers in the United States and Canada, mostly large weekly groups and dailies under 50,000 circulation, representing nearly $2 billion in annual revenue and more than 10 million circulation in each quarterly voluntary reporting group.
Suburban Newspapers of America is a trade association representing more than 2,000 daily and weekly newspapers in the United States and Canada. SNA has experienced eight years of record growth — another indication of the strength of this segment of the industry. For more information, visit SNA at www.suburban-news.org, our media buyers’ resource center at www.snalocalpapers.com and LocalPoint Media national advertising network at www.localpointmedia.com.
(Courtesy of SNA)
The story confirmed many facts about smaller market papers that industry insiders have long recognized. Specifically, that one of the many attractions of smaller papers is their intense local focus and community connections, which continue to generate solid returns for advertisers and smaller market newspaper owners.
Newspaper industry leaders echoed the findings in the financial publication's story.
“Newspapers are too often painted with a broad brush, and it’s nice to see The Wall Street Journal acknowledge the realities and diversification of our industry,” said Gareth Charter, publisher of six weekly newspapers in Massachusetts. “Of course, we are affected by the economy, but community publishing has a very bright future. We purchased a 21-year-old weekly in May 2007 and grew its revenue 30% the first year. It’s up another 19% through (the first quarter) of this year.”
The Wall Street Journal article focused on three newspaper executives who recently purchased or are in the process of purchasing community newspapers. Advertising revenue has remained relatively consistent for many smaller papers, a significant and noteworthy explanation for why community newspapers are continuing to draw advertiser and investor interest.
This story in The Wall Street Journal underscores a message spread by Suburban Newspapers of America (SNA), an industry trade association representing more than 2,000 suburban and community newspapers.
"Community papers, with their hyper-local coverage and ‘news you can't get anywhere else’ advantage, remain the bright spot in the industry," said Nancy Lane, president of SNA. "While community papers are also impacted by the economy, it is often to a much lesser degree than our larger counterparts. And even though the effects of the economy have carried over into the first quarter of 2009, community papers and their related Web sites are in a better position to take advantage of new and bold opportunities, many of which involve shifting dollars from major and national advertisers."
Indeed, according to Lane, LocalPoint Media, the SNA-affiliated national advertising network launched in late 2007 to represent the community segment of the industry, has attracted several new advertisers in 2009 such as ExxonMobil, USAirways, New York Life, Pedigree Dog Food and others that have not traditionally used community media. Just last week, a national restaurant chain purchased an extensive online-only buy using community newspaper Web sites. LocalPoint Media will be announcing other initiatives in the coming weeks that will provide tremendous new revenue opportunities for community papers and their related Web sites.
According to The Wall Street Journal, purchasers of the local newspapers also cited greater consistency of classified ad revenue and a loyal, local advertising base as reasons for investing in community newspapers.
Quarterly financial surveys conducted jointly by SNA and the National Newspaper Association (NNA) support this belief. Based on four quarters of survey results, overall advertising revenue for the participating suburban and community newspapers declined an estimated 3.6% for the full year 2008 versus a decline of 16.6% percent for the industry in general as reported by the Newspaper Association of America (NAA). SNA/NNA financial data is based on responses to quarterly surveys from publishers of hundreds of daily and weekly community newspapers in the United States and Canada, mostly large weekly groups and dailies under 50,000 circulation, representing nearly $2 billion in annual revenue and more than 10 million circulation in each quarterly voluntary reporting group.
Suburban Newspapers of America is a trade association representing more than 2,000 daily and weekly newspapers in the United States and Canada. SNA has experienced eight years of record growth — another indication of the strength of this segment of the industry. For more information, visit SNA at www.suburban-news.org, our media buyers’ resource center at www.snalocalpapers.com and LocalPoint Media national advertising network at www.localpointmedia.com.
(Courtesy of SNA)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
My All-Time Favorite Commercials
Just because!
#1 (The look on Ronaldo's face at the end, heh):
#2 (Because who doesn't bust a move with their friends?):
#1 (The look on Ronaldo's face at the end, heh):
#2 (Because who doesn't bust a move with their friends?):
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Bar Codes In Newspaper Ads Link To Web Content Via Mobile App
The National Post of Canada has been running ads with barcodes in them that link to additional online content through a mobile application. Readers take a photo of the ad with a cell phone, the app reads the barcode, and VOILA! Your mobile browser opens with the appropriate website that's linked to the barcode in the ad.
Tricky, right? What a cool way to make newspaper advertising relevant to the new generations of smartphone and internet users. Click here for the link to the main article.
Parting shot:
Bulkeley said he has been considering getting a 2D bar code tattoo to have something readily available that can demonstrate the technology. "You could have one code and continually change the link behind it to pull down different content," he said. "It's like redirecting a URL."
OR, how about you put the barcode on the back of your business card? Last time I checked, those were readily available, too. Sure, it would be a LOT cooler when you scan the barcode on your forearm and get directed immediately to the ScanLife website. But seriously, would you be able to help feeling like a box of cereal when they scan you?
Price check on Mr. Bulkeley...
(Courtesy of Mediapost, ScanLife, and National Post)
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