Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Clarion-Ledger hits rock bottom.

First Editor Grace Simmons quit yesterday. Yup. The longtime editor of the Clarion-Ledger hung it up and left the newspaper. However, that was not the funny part. What is highly amusing is after kicking Hampton, the Cleveland brothers, and others do the curb, the Clarion-Ledger is now begging, begging mind you, for volunteers to submit columns as they seek to imitate the JFP model of success:

"ClarionLedger.com is looking for Mississippi’s next great columnist. Those with an interest should know from the start, however, that the position is a labor of love – the perfect hobby for someone who cares deeply about the state and its people and who also has a passion for writing.

This newspaper has a great legacy regarding columnists -- some talented writers who made us laugh, cry and most everything else in between over the years. ClarionLedger.com wants to continue that tradition of launching strong voices by adding a columnist (or columnists, if more than one can grab our attention) to write at least once a week for its online audience.

We’re looking for a talented writer (or writers) with a fair mind and a gripping voice. A social media presence is preferred. Mississippi residence is a necessity.

In return for your hard work we will deliver a one-of-a-kind platform – a seat on the front row of the biggest news forum celebrating the great state that we call home. As a ClarionLedger.com columnist, you can write about whatever comes to your mind. Some areas we hope that hold your interest include: politics, family, leadership, community care and involvement, and education.
.." Read and weep or laugh, its your choice.

The Gannett Blog had a field day with this one:

"The 319-word story never uses the word free, relying instead on the more euphemistic "labor of love" -- twice! -- as an enticement to "grace" the paper's Web pages.

The paper's readers weren't snookered.

"So let me get this straight,'' Amy Hervey wrote in a comment on the story. "The C-L fires (aka early retirement) its staff that had the experience and ability to coherently put three words together to make a spot for free guest columns by a member of the general public, while rolling out a fee to read online. They want content with zero production costs but they still want us to pay for the privilege of reading it. Sounds like something only Gannett could dream up
...." post

Then there is the matter of the hiring of Sam Hall. You read that correctly. Former Executive Director of the Mississippi Democratic Party Sam Hall is now working as the digital community relations executive grand poobah editor or whatever they call it at the newspaper. There is no word yet on if he still hides under the sheets when he hears the name "Barbara Blackmon". Looks like the newspaper that brought us the "Deal Chicken" has turned into well, a plucked chicken.

PS: CL wants to get free content from you and then charge you to read it behind a paywall? Here's a better idea. If you are so inclined, send me your columns so everyone can read it for free. At least at JJ we are being consistent.

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Each day with coffee in hand I walk to the end of my drive way to get the CL that has become so "thin" with fewer pages and reading it well that is done in only a few minutes. Maybe my walk to the end of the driveway is coming to an end!

Anonymous said...

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Anything to make a buck.
And, nobody cares about beiing informed . They want their beliefs reinforced so they can feel good about themselves. They want someone to hate so they can feel superior. They want to be entertained with fictional stories because non-fiction is so often boring.
And, beauty is truth instead of the other way around.
25% of our children live in poverty.
Thank God for Romania that has 25% of their children living in poverty. We're dropping like a rock in education and health care but we're still rich and religious and that's all that matters, right? The Saudis know that.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Chokwe will be the second coming of Ann Landers if his bid for Jackson's Chief Warlord doesn't work out. Big Kenny could be the next Lewis Grizzard....a new avenue for getting their message to the streets.

bill said...

The sad part is that it will probably work, and JJ is a great example of why. There are thousands of people in the C/L's market who fancy themselves as writers. Just check the blogs and letters to the editor if you don't believe me. They may go through a few before they find one who will do it every week - coming up with a meaningful column every week probably isn't as easy as it sounds - but they'll fill a lot of virtual space and people will read the new columnists' work.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the columnist will have to pay the fee to read their own stuff?

Or if the CL graciously kicks in the online-fee aa payment will the CL 1099 then columnist for the benefit?

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine many people who could produce columns worth reading doing so for free. This is really sad.

Anonymous said...

Just out of curiosity -- has anyone called the C-L to cancel a subscription and been asked why they are cancelling? Wondering what kind of feedback the C-L gets from people who cancel, and if it matters to them.

What are those C-L operators told to say to people who cancel because they've gotten rid of too much local talent and the paper has gone to crap?

Anonymous said...

How bad is it? Word on the street is that just a few years ago the single copy circulation was handled by as many as 12 contractors. With circulation dropping like a rock profit is gone for the contractors. The single copy (stores-racks) will now be handled by as few as 6 contractors for the entire metro area.

For home delivery they have closed all but one of the 4 distro centers they built just a few years ago.

A lot of papers are having problems but this one seems to know only how to implode.

Trust me if Grace is gone that is a big deal!

andrew ousley said...

This was the end of my CL readership for me. I'm 23, journalism grad, straight A's. They wouldn't even email me back for an internship and now they are soliciting columnists to work for FREE. SOME NERVE! I think Ann coulter should just have 4 whole pages and the rest should be USA today.

Anonymous said...

its gasping and dying. I give it two years to continue publishing as a daily newspaper.

It has no use as an internet publication because of sites like this one that have more, and more accurate, information reported.

the prove you're not a robot is very difficult to read. please find another way.

Anonymous said...

All those folks needed to be kicked to the curve. They were driving the ship when it went off course and started sinking.

Anonymous said...

Ditto the robot comment

Anonymous said...

Newspapers are dying all over the country. The CL is no different. I don't read the CL so I have nothing to complain about.

Heard this morning from a neighbor that Puckett, Inc. is leaving Hwy 80in Jackson for a brand new facility in Flowood. Can't blame them at all. Who would want to go to Hwy 80 in Jackson for anything?

Anonymous said...

I cancelled years ago when they fired Orley Hood. Haven't missed it one whit. C-L is only fit for lining bird cages and wrapping fish.

Richard Benton said...

I'm a little worried about the Sun Herald, too. For the last several days, SH has not published an editorial by its Editorial Board. This is the longest stretch of this that I remember, so I am wondering what, if anything is going on. Local news coverage is still good, by the way.

Anonymous said...

I think Kingfish should "apply" for the free spot(s). Let's see how quickly he gets censored/booted for shining light on the truth!

Shadowfax said...

Who the hell "wraps" fish? It's OK to catch one, release one, skin one, clean one, eat one and give one away.....but nobody 'wraps' a damned fish!

bill said...

You're giving us a clue to your closely held secret identity, Shadowfax. Of course people used to wrap fish in newspaper. I can't tell you how many times I did it myself. Catch fish, lay out the newspaper, clean fish, take the part you're going to eat and put it into the skillet or the freezer, wrap up the carcass in the newspaper and take it to the garbage can. The C/L is still a valid fish wrap.

Anonymous said...

I've wrapped many a d****ed fish. But I am a geezer (just proud to be still hanging around).

Anonymous said...

If I read the column correctly though, it said they were looking for contributors to CL.com. That's a bit different isn't it? they want folks that are tech savvy and come with a social network. I'm not sure I see the problem with that. Not at all suggesting that there isn't much to complain about - but I'm not sure that this is one of them.

These are usually young people, talking to young people. the .com user is different from the print user, right? at least that's what research would suggest. Maybe I'm missing the point here.

Anonymous said...

1:41 gets right to the core of the issue. Obviously everyone else here doesn't have a clue that this is indeed part of a grand strategy.

Don't worry, the CL will soon be using "volunteers" ready to love their marketing labor for free.

Anonymous said...

C-L is only doing what the JFP has done since its inception. Suck free content outta wannabes though I doubt the C-L will blow as much smoke up their asses as Ladd does her interns'.

Anonymous said...

The only, and I mean this sincerely, reason I still subscribe is because the paper makes good pee-pee pads for my dog when I am away and much cheaper than the pads at Petsmart.

Anonymous said...

I predict they'll shortly follow the lead of the New Orleans Times-Picayune and cut down to twice weekly - Sunday and Wednesday, probably. That way, at least, they can still claim to be "better" than the Northside Sun. Since I cancelled my subscription years ago, I for one won't notice the change.

Anonymous said...

They haven't hit rock bottom yet, KF. Can't get any worse? Just wait and see.

Anonymous said...

The CL has gotten so weak. who fired who though..Gannett made the decision for cutbacks, no? So why in the F.U.C.K do they expect anyone to pay for a measly printed blog?? The paper is so skimpy and they make no guarantees that your paper will even be delivered anymore……try calling and complaining. As a college graduate with a degree in Journalism...Clarion Ledger, you can "suck it"

Anonymous said...

Now we can find out what local rappers, felons, and/or community organizers think about current events every day, instead of having to wait a week for the JFP.

Anonymous said...

The Sun Herald and the Daily Journal in tupelo are still good newspapers. Even the Democrat in Natchez is better than ours. Maybe one of them can become the statewide paper.

Anonymous said...

CL has so little to print it has to print a recap a 1/2 page of all the week's stories you have already ready read- that was old news the first time you read it -now it is ancient history and a big waste of your subscription dollar ! I can only say thank goodness that shill David Hampton is gone- it appeared to me almost half his articles were on defending and raising money to keep the public schools viable - no matter that their record for teaching and retaining children was dismal - leaving so many other Jackson problems without a voice. I know papers are going thru alot with all the costs involved and people getting their product free online. I have long felt there is much wisdom in the common man and enjoy letters from thoughtful writers . The Sun Herald use to have a column called Sound Off where people could put in their two cents anonymously and it really got down to the nuts and bolts of what was bothering people. I am a one with a degree in journalism but don't think that gives people anything but some mechanics . Being able to analyze the news is another talent entirely. I wish the new managers well in trying to get adjusted here. As for as the heavy duty editor Grace leaving- imagine the money that will save them . Think Gannett is for sure trying to get lean and mean. Letting all the senior employees go is smart business for companies watching their bottom line.

Shadowfax said...

With the advent of plug-in 'lectric freezers and Ziplocks, thinking people put fish bones (carcass?) in a ziplock and then the outside freezer. On garbage day, put it on the street and it thaws about the time the truck comes buy.

It's better to be 'kicked to the curve (sic)' than to be stuck behind it.

Anonymous said...

R.I.P. clarion ledger.... the only reason I waste $18 a month on it is so the wife can read the obits..just this morning the latest "legend" (evers) took up a lot of the space.. a topic only a handful of people care about anyway....i guess these endless "offerings" are designed to appease someone? do you think this target group even read the paper anyway? probably not..

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but C-L has not hit rock bottom. That is coming fast, however. Employees were treated yesterday to a two page memo that says a "new subscription model" is coming by the end of 2012. There will no longer be a home delivery option, rather a "singular product -- our content." This will be delivered online, through smartphones and and targeting tablets, which the memo says is the wave of the future. "along with our subscription model change, there is a corresponding change to our pricing approach (read that price increase). We believe the new subscription options and prices will more appropriately reflect the value of our content and the value consumers ascribe to that content -- across platforms -- in the communities we serve."

So, they believe the value of the content is worth a price increase? Not hardly.

And as for print -- they really don't want you to get a physical newspaper and you are going to pay dearly for it. "Prices will vary based on frequency of delivery of the print edition, ranging from none (digital-only) to Monday-Sunday.

This is where the C-L hits rock bottom.

Anonymous said...

This;

Analysis: In scare for newspapers, digital ad growth stalls

Anonymous said...

"There is no word yet on if he still hides under the sheets when he hears the name 'Barbara Blackmon'." Thanks, KF, made me laugh outloud.

@ 3:58-pick up Jackson Free Press instead. That's what my sister does to supplement her pee-pads for her 2 little dogs, and there's no cost.

FYI, KF. Last week, man knocked on my door at the house. Wanted to sign me up for free newspaper, I would just pay for the delivery charge. Asked him what paper. He said CL. Told him no thanks. He then asked if I would like a free Sunday paper, I'd just pay the delivery charge. Said no thanks again. Last attempt was--don't you want the so-n-so paper that has the sale ads and coupons? Everybody wants coupons. Said no thanks a third time.

Anonymous said...

I almost choked when I got my automatic yearly billing for 198.00They can screw up more in one issue than most did in a year of issues. Spelling in obits is terrible, they have the name spelled one way in the headline on the obit and another in the rest of it. And anyone who is involved with a funeral home can tell you what an obit costs, it isn't cheap. These ads that have one full sheet of paper and then a 3rd of a sheet on them are not easy to read if you are sitting in your chair. I have to remove all of those before I can read the rest of the paper. The wonderful people who wrote columns are now gone. I don't even look at the page that Bobby Cleveland used to write, it isn't the same. The cartoons that are in there now, if they don't have Marshall Ramsey's name on them I just skip over them. On some Sundays I get 5 or 6 of an ad, I don't need 5 of WalGreens, 5 of CVS and 5 of RiteAid. When I questioned the carrier, they said "this is the way that they are sent to us". And I have one of the best carriers, my paper is always double wrapped to keep from getting wet and it is up in my driveway. Why can't the people who work at the paper be as good as the carrier?

KaptKangaroo said...

I've been thinking the entire week...

New from the C/L....

Kangaroo Court!!!

Nah, I don't have the time and there is only one Kingfish!

Anonymous said...

I just answered the door, some nice fellow asking me to subscribe to the c-l. I told him as a former, mis-treated, layed off, fired, former employee he was barking up the wrong tree. THEN he tells me I could save a few jobs by taking his offer (which already changed 3 times). The line of pressure about saving jobs continued until I asked him what happens to those great prices and jobs after the paywall goes up Jan 13. The look on his face was priceless! What paywall, was his response.

I tried to explain to him no jobs we going to be saved. Finally he gave up, shoulders slumped and walked to my neighbors door. Poor guy bought their crap hook, line and sinker.

Anonymous said...

So, the concensus is that Jackson would be better off without a daily newspaper? Is that what y'all want?



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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