Hearne: Pitch Publisher Bites the Dust Sans Explanation

Were the publisher of the Kansas City Star to mysteriously step down, you can bet your bottom dollar The Pitch would be all over covering the story-behind-the story…

So while it’s understandable, it’s still a little odd that the alternative newsweekly has been so tight lipped about what did or didn’t happen when longtime Pitch publisher Joel Hornbostel bought the farm last week.

After all, when you live in a glass house is it unreasonable to expect at least a small measure of candor from a publication that demands it from others?

Apparently that’s the case.

Because about all we got on the subject from Pitch editor Scott Wilson was a bit of mumbo-jumbo about Jolting Joel resigning and a “statement” that Hornbostel shared with the Pitch and on his Facebook page.

A statement former Pitch editor CJ Janovy would have described as a “tap dance.”

You know the drill, thanks for 18 wonderful years, good times, great friends, change is never easy and Hornbostel’s gonna miss everyone and continue to watch the alt weekly  grow and “prosper.”

Seriously, prosper?

CJ Janovy

With the vast majority of the Pitch’s revenues derived from its fading fast print publication, if one thing is clear it’s that there’s precious little prospering going on.

For example last year when the alt weekly moved across the street in a $3,000 and change move, it’s credit didn’t clear and Hornbostel had to scramble to come up with a credit card to pay for the move.

Face it, times are tough in the news print biz – really tough.

And while the last thing Kansas City needs is for the Pitch to go toes up and be stuck with the Star’s INK magazine, the unfortunate reality is that it very well could happen.

As for Hornbostel, the former bar band booker has forged a long and successful career in ad sales at the Pitch and there’s always a market and a job awaiting those who can sell. His parting shot was to look for his new career path in “this space.”

Meaning his remaining pals at the Pitch will give him a nice sendoff when he lands his next gig.

But if one thing appears clear, it’s that Hornbostle did not see this teary farewell coming.

That’s almost assuredly why on January 7th at 5:30 pm he gloated on his Facebook page that, “I am so glad our publishers conference is in Tampa this year…”

Unfortunately, chances are pretty good Hornbostel’s sunscreen and Speedo will remain in hibernation when that blessed event goes down.

Too bad though – super nice, hard working guy – he’ll land on his feet.

Hornbostle did not return calls for this column.