Tim H.

The Unraveling of Newspaper Economics

I still think newspaper have a role and it is LOCALITY! You can get the national/international news from other media especially online. But local stories... Human interest stories... People still like to read that. What person/family still doesn't like to get story about themselves or area/a picture in the local city newspaper? From personal example. My aunt gave up subscription awhile back. Well there was a story about her son in business section. Yeah she could read it and print it online. But she also ran out bought several copies. Look at Obama winning election. All the newspapers people ran out and bought because of first black President. I know several people who wanted press plates. Also include local political squabbles or scandals. Just saying you can SELL that to advertisers & subscribers.

Beyond 2Q Revenue Declines: AdMan's 9 Imperatives for New Growth

I agree with above poster. Everyone knows what'sgoing on with industry. Anyone can point out all the problems. How many naysayers can actually offer solutions to the problems. Don't give me "there are no solutions" response. You find someone with innovative intelligent ideas that can be executed correctly. That person will find a solution to some of the problems in industry. BTW I work in print production at Gannett. The production plant I work for does alot of commercial printing that has nothing to do with the newspaper that hits the street. printing circulars for retail such a Rural King (1 million copies per week), Auto Books, Shop Local, Riverboat Gambling circulars plus many other Advertisers that are not in the local newspaper.

Newspapers 'Rightsizing'? More Like Frightsizing

Ken I appreciate your articles on the newsprint industry. As you mentioned in an earlier piece about McClatchy's coverage of Guantamano. Good journalists from quality brands are needed online and in print. Of course the bloggers will disagree. But who is of more quality. A news reporter who checks his facts etc... Or someone of Dredge's ilk? It's not a good thing what's happening to the industry. Not blaming the internet. That is lost advertising and the newspaper companies slow reaction to it's affect. As far back as 1991 Warren Buffett warned newspapers about the challenges ahead. Their was a collective yawn.

One thing I will mention that you touched on regarding Tribune. Tribune is getting the headlines with it's massive cutting fueling the naysayers about industry. However in hindsight Zell's massive leveraged debt deal to buy Tribune should have been nixed. Tribune has a $4 Billion dollar debt/bond payment due at end of 09. This debt pressure is leading to the cuts at what were once quality papers. It's not good for Tribune, for employees, the industry or the public. Corruption in government is watched by the media.

While the industry as a whole is facing tremendous challenges. No other media companies of Tribune's size are facing the kind of debt issues Tribune is facing. Maybe McClatchy but McClatchy got itself in trouble buying KnightRidder. Reality is no more buying up newspapers but instead buying online/web companies.