Comments on: Brother can you spare a dime?

By: John-Scott Dixon

John-Scott Dixon — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:48:32 +0000

Len,

My wife and I laughed when we saw that – here’s the deal. AFN has some really nice stories on occasion and it does help keep us tethered to the local community – but paper must go digital. How about a shockingly thin AFN – wrapped around a rock to keep it from blowing away. All content reduced to stubs with encouragement to go online to get the full story. Train the audience to the Web – get people to segment – sell highly, localized and targeted content to advertisers.

By: Scott Hanson

Scott Hanson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:08:04 +0000

Len, you are correct:
Publisher Renie Scibona and managing editor Brian Johnson have been shown the door at the Ahwatukee Foothills News, one of several newspapers in the Phoenix area owned by the California media chain.

By: Homer

Homer — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:29:52 +0000

That is the same tactic that the Independent Newspapers tried a few years ago, without much success. They now have roving circulation – different ZIPs each week for the free distribution. Hyperlocal really does provide coverage not found elsewhere. Hope someone can find a model that works.

By: Homer

Homer — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:29:11 +0000

That is the same tactic that the Independent Newspapers a few years ago, without much success. They now have roving circulation – different ZIPs each week for the free distribution. Hyperlocal really does provide coverage not found elsewhere. Hope someone can find a model that works.

By: Noelle

Noelle — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:40:55 +0000

I worked for a community news organization in Michigan, and soliciting volunteer payments annually was a regular practice. It brought in several thousand dollars, and it always made me cringe when we did it. It was a for-profit company going to the community for hand-outs.

By: Len Gutman

Len Gutman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:28:08 +0000

Richard,

I’m sure Renie Scibona is a wonderful person. I’m not blaming her. In fact, my sources tell me she was relieved of her duties last week.

Len

By: Marketing $ociologist

Marketing $ociologist — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:23:21 +0000

The Foothill News may be ahead of its time. Congress is trying to pass a law where newspapers are considered non-profits rather than business agencies. George Orwell is rolling over in his grave and Joseph Stalin thinks it’s a terrific idea.

Len, I heartedly suggest you sit down with Renie Scibona. If Phoenix has any leaders left, she’s one of them. You’ll find her, as I did, to be one of the wisest and most sage people you’ll meet.

If government is going to save newspapers, why not the photographic film industry, typewriter manufacturers, horse buggy whip makers, U.S. television makers and the auto industry -oops.

As I was taught in my MBA studies, if passenger railroad companies had thought of themselves in the travel industry, rather than “railroad,” they’d be around today.

Same thing is happening with today’s airline industry. Rather than looking at bullet trains and other strategies, they stick with using old, ill-repaired airplanes to stay in business. Believe there’s only one airline that has consistently made money. The founder has a surname consistent with CREATING profits.

Richard Kelleher, M.B.A.
MediaRelationsExpert.com
@PhoenixRichard