Comments on: Page-one ad encroachment takes another bold leap today in Los Angeles

By: zaney

zaney — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:51:07 +0000

The worst part about this “ad” is the crappy story! Can’t these PR people do better? That’s one of the worst “newspaper stories” I’ve ever read! Or tried to read. It didn’t make any sense. If I were NBC, I’d demand my money back from my PR folks.

By: former L A resident

former L A resident — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:01:28 +0000

So …here’s the thing. While I can see all of the objections to the Los Angeles Times “selling out ” by doing something like this, I can also understand THAT - in this suffering economy - businesses have to do what they need to do. It is clearly an AD, and all of these objecting people need to take a step back…and think about what the newspaper needed to do, for continuing survival.
I think most of this is “much ado about nothing”, and by the way - the new NBC show was good, and I think the network needed to do something to get the attention of jaded TV watchers in Southern California. GUESS WHAT ? they got what they wanted…for NBC , worth every penny it spent on this AD.

By: Gnu's Paper

Gnu's Paper — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:19:54 +0000

What is it about the word “advertisement” at the top of the text that is escaping people? Or the different, non-editorial fonts? Tempest in a teapot, folks. Newspapers gotta eat.

By: Pioneer with arrows in my back

Pioneer with arrows in my back — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:26:19 +0000

Those who complain about newspapers not embracing new technology are unaware of, or choose to ignore, the millions spent by newspaper companies starting more than 25 years ago. Knight Ridder? Some $25 million on a Videotex project in Florida. Gannett? A fully staffed online newsroom fed “micro computer” users. Small groups also paid their dues. Privately held companies, like Kansas’ Harris Enterprises, spent a million bucks on an R&D project in 1982-83. I know. I helped run it.

Newspaper were pioneers in online news distribution. The problem is readers. They are not prepared to give up their print editions, so companies must maintain both print and online products in the face of shrinking revenue.

Oh, yeah. Back to the topic. The ad sucks. It would never be allowed in the small-town newspaper I publish. We do allow 2 x 4 ads on the bottom right corner. I have to approve each one. It hurts.