Metro Weekly Issues Terrible Statement About Demise of Washington Blade
For 15 years, Metro Weekly competed against the Washington Blade for its slice of readers and advertisers here in Washington, D.C.
So it was perhaps appropriate that Metro Weekly would issue a statement upon the death of the Blade. You know, something respectful, deferential---all class. Well, the first paragraph of that statement sure fit the bill. Here's how it reads:
As longtime members of the D.C. LGBT community, as well as the community of journalists, we are always saddened to see a newspaper or magazine cease publication. While we offer our condolences to the staff of the Washington Blade, we also offer our congratulations on what they and their predecessors achieved over the course of four historic decades of LGBT journalism.
Perfect. Stop right there, Metro Weekly!
But it didn't stop right there. It included another paragraph, one that essentially robs the first of all its sincerity. Here we go:
All of us at Metro Weekly take great pride in serving our community, and we look forward to continuing our growth as the source for local LGBT news, politics and entertainment.
Choose whatever morbid cliche you prefer. Dancing on the grave. The body isn't even warm.
The juxtaposition here is just too plain. While the 40-year-old Blade is dead, hey, folks, we're growing! Talk about finding glee. The point here is that the day on which the Washington Blade got shut down, Metro Weekly is making it all about Metro Weekly. Bad politics.
Co-publisher Sean Bugg says he's "not going to dance on the graves of any publication...We're not overjoyed that the Blade is shut down." At the same time, says Bugg, "I am a businessperson...and from a business perspective, there are opportunities for us, and I intend to fully explore them."
As might be expected of two teams that bump into one another editorially and advertisorally all the time, Blade and Metro Weekly staffs aren't terribly fond of one another. Inside the Blade, for instance, Metro Weekly was known as the "gay bar rag." Bladers considered themselves of a higher journalistic order.
"Obviously I don't have long, deep conversations with the Blade," says Bugg. "We’ve been competitors so it’s not like we’ve been hanging out together."
Kevin Naff, the editor of the Blade as of its last breath, says that he and his colleagues are banding together to found a Blade-like publication as soon as possible. When asked to comment on Metro Weekly's statement, Naff said, "Good luck to them."
When asked to comment on the prospects of Naff & Co.'s startup, Bugg said, "Good luck to anyone who wants to try starting something from scratch" in this market. "I only mean that somewhat sarcastically."
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5:56 pm
Can you print the statement in its entirety? From this piece, it's unclear whether that comment was part of the overall statement or part of the standard "extra info" at the bottom of every press release.
If it is part of the statement, I'm not sure if that qualifies as "dancing on the grave" or "terrible." It looks a bit more like "quickly written press release sent out as soon as possible after unexpected news."
There are better Blade demise stories to be had.
6:11 pm
Ermm, just from what you've posted, I don't see what the big deal is. They just say they're proud of what they're doing and looking forward to continuing to serve the GLBT community. It's terrible that they mention that they're growing? I don't think so - especially given that I personally assume the worst with any print publication nowadays, I'd say it's a good thing they did mention that.
6:24 pm
Pardon the scrappy underdog for feeling a bit pumped by the demise of the big junkyard bully. Truth is MetroWeekly has been a superior publication in reporting local news for a long, long time and no one knows that better then the former Blade staff except for Naff who is not local and seems to have few clues generally.
If you think The Blade has played like the respectable elder in this rivalry between the two, think again. Who floated the rumor a few weeks back that MetroWeekly was folding? Why would The Blade do that one might ask?
It seems as this story develops that this was not all so much of a surprise as was originally portrayed. The fact that the axe came down yesterday, perhaps, but clearly Naff et al have been playing a game behind the scenes. The strategy, such as it was, failed. It is not too much of a stretch to see where it might have included trying to make your major competitor seem weak. Keep in mind too that Naff comes out of the Crain/Unger regime, a regime not known for the integrity of their professionism or their business practices.
Speaking of dogs Erik, it would seem The Blade is yours in this fight. You should be clear about that and the fact that MetroWeekly represents a much bigger competitor to City Paper then The Blade has for a long time. Its pages bulge with advertisements. Its arts/entertainment centric focus collides more directly with yours.
If you were smart Erik you would change your focus here. Naff and by extension the Blade staff are not victims here. They do what was what and they were trying to game the system, they failed. Its not like The Blade of doing serious or indepth political reporting or analysis. Let get real, Peter Rosenstein and the like are barely credible and then only in The Blade. City Paper has moved way ahead of The Blade on the local news scene. The Blade had no focus. It wouldn't take much to just pick up the LGBT target market. If I were you I would hire Lou Chibbaro pronto, create BladeBlog and move on. Let this dead dog sleep in peace.
6:54 pm
Dear WardQueen: Thank you so much for all your thoughts, which I think are very well stated. I honestly have no dog in this fight. I like the people at MW and liked the people at the Blade, especially Lou. And if you think that I have something against MW, I'd just ask you to check out this piece, http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/deptofmedia/. Though I do follow local media, you're attributing way to much business expertise to me. I really have no idea whether MW or the Blade is more of a threat to our biz prospects; I have never had such a discussion with our ad people. So even though you have every right in the comments section to impute competitive ulterior motives to my writings, they're not there. Main thing is, thanks so much for reading and writing.
6:58 pm
The Blade was crap...and Ive never seen anyone reading Metro Weekly...Actually Metro Weekly ranks with that Afro Newspaper shit. They're both great for a bird cage or soaking up spills...not much else.
7:02 pm
I must say that the pic above on this weeks metro weekly is is a great study of Kevin Naff...he looks so positive!
7:07 pm
As far as Metro Weekly dancing on the Blade's grave, all I have to say is, DANCE BABY!, DANCE!
8:23 pm
The Blade was tiresomely obsessed with respectability and real estate but at least it was a real journal of sorts. It had Lou Chibbaro, Jr., an honest-to-god Serious Journalist.
Sean Bugg is a boy ho reformed by middle age whose sole subject is the cult of his own superiority. Glance sideways at the front page of his paper and you have absorbed the whole thing. Businessman pfui--who cares?
As to the chances of a new Blade, they might actually be pretty good if investors can be found. If the Blade was dragged down by the problems of Window Media, and not the other way around, it might do just fine on its own.
10:05 pm
Erik,
I probably way overstated the competitive aspect of your taking MW to task, I appologize. Nonetheless, this offers an opportunity for CP to build on its strengths. I turn to CP before the Post to get any nuanced, deeper, reporting on local political issues. Its too bad you don't have more staff to offer broader coverage. Hire Lou Chibbaro, he brings a proven revenue stream with him much of which, if the evidence of gay owned-operated-supported businesses which had already dropped The Blade in favor of CP is any indication, is already with you.
This idea of floating a "new" Blade is a fantasy. This crowd had a shot, some limited, backward vision, and attempted a strategy which failed. The flaw is obvious even with the little I have been able to glean from between the very few lines pertinent to actual business. From their new website, on which they are attempting to peddle bricks in lieu of stock (which unless they are a non-profit I am not even sure is entirely legal)it is clear they had created a legal entity to acquire The Blade. My guess it was too much on the cheap. It was using some straw man in VA.
At any rate it is over and anyone who would invest in this enterprise with Kevin Naff at the head has bricks in the brain. He doesn't even live here, knows no one, is too closely associated with the disastrous, mean spirited Cris Crain era at The Blade, and has no credibility beyond that derived from a now defunct and failed business enterprise. He isn't even a journalist. Its not gonna happen. Hire Lou, it will be the best hire you ever made.
10:11 pm
To Jay,
Wow, that is an odd picture of Kevin Naff! He does look positive? But older? And butcher! Is his picture really on the cover of MW? No! They photo shopped this, right?
Too weird!
Also, The Blade was better as a bird cage liner, etc. MW is a glossy, not too good in the absorbency category. Also, much better produced then that Afro-American newspaper you refer too. They went public for charity to survive for awhile too as I remember. That didn't work either.
10:35 pm
the blade = forgetable
metro weekly = memorable
city paper = has nothing better to write about
12:20 am
The photo on the cover of MW is of Sarah Marshall, boyz... if you had stepped foot into just about any local theatre over the last 20 years, you could have seen her stealing the show in most cases with her performances. You all need to get out more often!
12:46 am
I definitely see this as an opportunity for the City paper to now delve more into gay news/stories. You could hire a reporter whose whole focus is on that. Think of this as an opportunity to help save yourselves and continue to make CP even better.
12:48 am
Anonymous..um I was kidding.
2:12 am
Another great City Paper non-story. Can you guys cover something more interesting than cat fights among your friends?
7:30 am
I had sex with a metrosexual last night. Does this make me a metropolitan?
7:44 am
Angry Al...I knew you would come clean sooner or later!!! Hope to see you at the next march. Are you going to be at City hall Dec. 1 for the historic signing???? Lets do drinks after! GAY POWER NOW!>>>GAY POWER FOREVER!!!!!
8:35 am
I'm with Jay. Both rags are good bird cage liners. I've also used them to wash my windows and as floor cover when painting.
8:35 am
Move along, folks - there is not story here, despite a rather anemic attempt to fabricate one.
8:41 am
The body wasn't warm? Did you mean cold? Cause that is one mixed metaphor.
8:45 am
Citypaper... You did a piece on the wrong MW statement. This one is much more wagon circling and disgusting. Could they have waited at least a couple weeks? I always preferred MW over the Blade but this is even too much for me.
"At the start of 2009, uncertainty reigned for businesses in Washington area, and recent setbacks have caused new waves of concern about the availability of media to reach the local LGBT market. Throughout the year, Metro Weekly has shared many of those concerns about our economic climate.
But as we enter the holiday season, our readers and advertisers have made 2009 a successful year -- for both them and us.
Why?
Our rates have remained affordable for local businesses (we have not increased our advertising rates in 3 years).
Our client service has maintained high levels of attentiveness, enthusiasm and cheer.
And, most importantly, our commitment to our community has never wavered.
The readers of Metro Weekly are among the most loyal -- and affluent -- in the Washington metro area and as the holiday season approaches, it's as important as ever to maintain a consistent advertising presence within the community.
We would like to welcome you to the pages of Metro Weekly with a special introductory offer:
An additional 15% discount on ALL advertising contracts of 7 weeks or more, including our popular Marketplace Advertising.
Value-added web advertising for all 12-week or greater contracts of a 1/3-page size or larger.
With 15 years of service, Metro Weekly is the best avenue for reaching Washington's gay community.
A 2009 Community Marketing survey of our readership found:
More than 70% make decisions about purchases based on a companies advertising with LGBT media.
More than 60% have taken two or more leisure/vacation trips with hotel stays in the past 12 months.
Seventy-five percent have earned a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree.
Fifty-eight percent have household incomes over $75,000; 42% have household incomes greater than $100,000.
Download a full media kit here.
Call me, Rose Jasienski or Lucas Vu today at 202-638-6830 or email us to make the most of your business in the LGBT community!
We look forward to keeping you connected to the local LGBT community.
Regards,
Randy
--
Randy Shulman
Co-Publisher, Metro Weekly
Part of Washington Life 2009 Power 100 List
CAGLCC's 2009 Male Business Person of the Year
Direct: 202-527-9624
Metro Weekly
Celebrating 15 Years of Publication
1012 14th Street NW -- Suite 209
Washington, DC 20005
Office: (202) 638-6830
Fax: (202) 638-6831"
9:02 am
wow - Kavitha Cardoza's interview with Kevin Naff! The best interview in the history of journalism, or, for that matter, in the history of history.
& yes, jay, GAY PRIDE FOREVER!!! GAY POWER FOREVER!!! In the communist paradise, of course, gays are valued citizens. The first countries to recognize full rights for gays were socialist countries, e.g., Holland, Sweden, Denmark.
10:01 am
While all of you "kiddies" think you know what you are talking about, I have got news, YOU DON'T. You have no idea of the "real" history of the Washington Blade. Most of you are only old enough to remember the last few years. A bunch of young punks, purporting to have created some kind of journalistic excellence with the "HO RAG" Metro Weekly, the magazine for bar sluts, groupies and druggies. At least the Blade spent years actually reporting on issues near and dear to the gay community, not just the "fluff" and "glam" that the MW spews. Of course the younger generations have no idea how pitifully shallow and comical their sense of "cutting edge" is. It has all been done already, and you are not the trend setters. That has already been done over and over since the 70's with the Blade.
11:48 am
D,
What kind of an arrogant blowhard insists they know the the person and character of another online poster?
Only one displaying the true height of arrogance, and depth of ingnorance, as you, in my humble opinion.
Shaddup already, you idiot.
11:59 am
D,
Getting old has made you bitter...very bitter...have another drink!
12:28 pm
anyone who thinks there's a story here knows nothing about business. if it were the other way around the Blade would waste no time in doing the same, if not worst. and plus if mw is so inferior to the blade why would most of mw staffers be former mw employees who left that publication at their own will. this is a stupid attempt to start something out of nothing. let's not forget the blade was the only local publication reporting on mw going online without even quoting anyone from mw in their story. i thought cp was the go to when you uncovered that ill attempt but this story makes me think differently of cp as well.
12:28 pm
i meant be former blade emlployees
9:02 pm
The Advocate is the only gay publication worth reading.
2:18 pm
If not simple antagonism, I'm not sure what the point of this article is supposed to be. Its author calls MW's statement "bad politics," but isn't this commentary bad politics in the same sense?
From what I can tell, MW sent out an obligatory press release acknowledging the end of the Blade's publication, noting its importance to the LGBT movement's history, and then included a self-promotional boilerplate about MW. Just as Bugg's statement could be read as sarcastic or antagonistic (and who knows without witnessing the tone oneself?), MW's assertion that it will continue to grow and publish LGBT news for the Washington, D.C. market could be read as an affirmation that the region's LGBT community won't be left without a local journalistic advocate.
Both of these impressions are speculative--nothing more than shallow opinions that may be valid personal reactions, but what purpose does either really serve as a matter of public discourse?
In the end, a commentary on MW's public reaction doesn't accomplish anything other than potentially causing friction and damaging the public perception of MW, which continues to serve the LGBT population. Interested readers should know that MW (and now the DC Agenda) is available as a resource to them, not be given the impression that its publisher is a villainous and exploitative businessman with no soul. (That is admittedly an exaggeration of Mr. Wemple's article, but that's the implied take that readers should come away with.)
It's unfortunate that Mr. Wemple didn't invest his time and energy into writing something more thoughtful and less antagonistic--or in reporting news. Nothing against the author--I don't know him--but the collapse of Window Media should offer plenty of opportunity for journalistic investigation, not the instigation of gossip.