The Summer in Kansas City didn’t really start off with a bang but something more of a splash. And that splash probably sounded like the word “douche” to attentive ears.
Kudos to BlogKC for being the first to openly mock a photoset from The Jones Pool earlier this week. The slideshow from Ink magazine was more than just an unfortunate look at bad tattoos and what passes for the beautiful people in this cowtown. People who looked closely might have seen yet another glimpse at the downfall of dead tree media.
Notice the photos were tagged with a small advert for Nightlifekc.com. A brief explanation of this bit of content will demonstrate why these Summertime bikini photos were about more than just bad taste.
For the uninitiated, it’s important to explain that nightlifekc.com isn’t a division of the Star. It’s a marketing company. In fact, they’re very successful at what they do: Selling premium content packages to local biz owners that include placement on their website, photos (like the kind featured in the Star) and help with promotional materials. This isn’t a slam on their marketing efforts, NLKC are straight forward with what they’re doing.
However, sponsored content on the front page of the Star’s website (once again) wasn’t identified. That’s fine with me because in this instance the Star is simply working to cut their own throat. See, the trend for dead tree media is even more sponsored content deals with low paid contributors and very little of the old “journalistic standards” that were championed back in the day. It’s hard to do, but think of The Jones Pool slideshow as a “society” photo shoot. Sadly, since it wasn’t executed by journalists at the Star, there are no names, not much context and no real story except for some subpar bikini shots. As far as content is concerned, that’s fine. I’m certain it generated page hits. But it’s not really journalism despite occupying some great real estate on the Star’s front page for at least 48 hours. So, bloggers who use bikini pics of supermodels and other folks who employ sponsored content models shouldn’t feel so bad. The paper of record is using content “mercenaries” and posting photos of skanks. So they’re really not in a place to cast judgment on the ethics of any other publisher.
Tony Botello
CM70
Luckily, we have people like Tony who are such fine upstanding bloggers that they would never stoop to such vile tactics, like using pictures of “skanks” to try and boost readership.
Dexter Morgan
who cares
Guy
I did check out the pics while I was bored at work and immediately after seeing them wondered..”does chlorine kill Chlamydia, crabs, or any of the other diseases swimmin in that pool alongside the skanks and douchebags I saw”? I have to admit I thought the idea was interesting, but after seeing the pics…not even tempted to pay money to go there!!
Bob
please define skanks for me. Is it what they wore? bikinis–at a pool OMG. Or Because they were ugly? Which they really weren’t and really, anybody can be ugly doesn’t mean they’re skanky. I saw the pics and thought there were some attractive women there. I wouldn’t go, cause I’m old and overweight.
But to call these people skanks, I just don’t get it.
smartman
C’mon Culo you know that you masturbate to skanks all the time.
Glow1
I wanna know when its “Caddy Day” at Bushwood?
I actually like KC
I live downtown and didn’t even know their breed existed. Reaffirms my choice to group the Jones with P&L. Fake.
skank
Who is this guy to call any one a skank. Take a look at his blog! Pictures of pornstars and girls wearing nothing. Check it out! Tonyskansascity.com . Probably the only way people look at his lame blog. Btw get a life man way to much effort goes into that waste of time blog!