In these most desperate of media hard times the players are looking for an edge, a battle plan to set them apart…
In the case of local alternative weekly the Pitch, Stanford & Sons main man Craig Glazer – a Pitch advertiser – has devised such a plan. First some background.
“Well, I’ve noticed here at The Legends and Village West where I am, that lately the Pitch looks like they’re only leaving a handful of papers in their racks,” Glazer says. “It comes out on Wednesday and they pick up the old ones and leave the new ones. I went out the other day and ran into the people who pick them up and leave them – a man and a woman. And I said, ‘Oh are those the old ones?’ and the guy said, ‘No, these are the new ones.’ And they only left out just a handful – I don’t think there were more than 10 or 12 copies. It looked to me like they were only putting out a third or less of what they used to put out.”
Glazer did the math and concluded that readership was down. He wasn’t surprised.
“The Pitch seems to go out of their way to write about people, places and things that nobody’s ever heard of – just to be different,” Glazer says. “And I can see that to some extent, they want to be different. But I think they need to pick and target celebrities – people who have a profile – and get the real juice. Like find out that Tony Gonzalez couldn’t wait to get out of Kansas City. I mean, the Star has driven the Mark Funkhouser and Gloria story into the ground.”
Speaking of which…
“(The Pitch) told me they don’t write about stories the Star has already written about,” Glazer says. “Well, how many more Funkhouser stories or ‘We hate Hearne Christopher‘ stories do we need to read about? I think they should write about things people know (something) about but take angles that the Star can’t or is afraid to write about – avant garde
Rick M
I agree. The Pitch should drop the quirky cover stories and beef up its arts coverage, particularly music. That’s the only reason I still pick it up.
Oh, and it’s Avant-garde.
Rob Lane
I am glad somebody noticed, I used to love The Pitch. Lately maybe the last two years, the cover stories are really poor, about things nobody cares about, a few months back they did about four cover stories on obscure Disc Jockeys who were gonna make it big. Who cares and of course none of them did, these were guys who worked clubs not radio stations.
I thought the Pitch would give us the ‘real’ look at some local celebrities, like maybe Johnny Dare or Holly Star, the real scoop, but no they write about low level crime stories and who killed who, in areas of town that we know do that every day, get a clue, we don’t care.
You got this one right Hearne.
Anne Marks
I work on the Plaza, and yes I noticed the Pitch is not putting out as many magazines as last year. They used to always be nearly gone by Sunday, but not as of late.
I agree the content is poor, the writers are not as good as the old ones. Yes the cover stories generally don’t grab my attention, they used too. I also agree we need more big time gossip on our local big names, something the Star does not do at all. Wake up Pitch, we need you.
smartman
The Pitch, Star/Ink are irrelevant. There are too many ways to find out what’s going on in KC. The net, viral emails that go direct to consumer, blogs, etc. It’s almost impossible for someone selling print ads to demonstrate ROI, especially if you are running a restaurant, nightclub, bar or concert venue. So unless we legalize prostitution in the metro area it’s na na na na na na na na hey hey GOODBYE. When the Star is running full page ads for boner meds you know the shit is hitting the fan on Grand.
mermaid
The Pitch is better than Ink. Ink is all advertisements. David Martin is a fantastic writer and has done some pieces I really liked. Why are we picking on the Pitch when the Star is the worst publication ever. I said I would be the last person to put a newspaper down but could they be any worse? I probably will not renew my subscription. Remember the Pitch is free so really how can one complain.
rick
You can complain if you are like Craig and you are advertising and they aren’t putting out enough papers and they aren’t appealing to a broad audience. As an advertiser, in general, you want to reach the broadest audience possible. Also free sh*t is still sh*t. I think the point of the article was just someone trying to point out ways they could increase readership.
mermaid
Oh thank you for pointing that out Rick. Your right and I think you need to remember the point of articles you read as well and not get on about “Teri Hatchers assets” and movies you can’t remember like a rambling old man.
rick
See Greg about terri hatchers assets. He brought it up. I was just responding to him. (Sigh) As usual you have the facts wrong. You know Mermaid it seems your overly sensitive and get bent all out of shape over minor stuff. Either that or you just like to argue. I think this site needs all the readers it can get. But maybe its not for you.
mermaid
Rick you can trust I am not over sensitive. I just like putting you in your place because really I don’t think you are half as smart as you think you are.
jojo
wtf…now this glazer guy is a newspaper
critic!
could someone please tell these guys that they
should stick to what they know best..nothing.
The whole sports talk crew here in kc is wrong
90% OF THE TIME. Even mike thompson gets the
weather right 40% of vthwe time.
Why would we expect this glazer guy to know
about the newspaper business when he’s never
owned or ran a newspaper!
everyones an expert these days. This guy
has more bad business moves than any one in
this town and now he’s consulting the newspaper
industry.
I am not an expert. I don’t get headline b illing
on web site…I just write my opinion but usually
try to include some stats.
Greg hall is not an expert. He qoutes obscure
people who noones heard of and who have no
credibility. Greg hall has failed to show anyone
that he knows anything about anything.
Get some experts on here. If you want media
columns…get people who have been in the
business. If you want music reviews you don’t
ask a deaf person.
For gods sake this siteis about as relevant as
yesterdays old big mac…please someone give
us some directon and don’t let bobbleheads
come on here with headlines and make fools of
themselves.
JS
jojo-
Again lighten up! This is commentary/opinion site. Who is an expert anyway? Who do you believe to be an expert– Yourself? I think most of the people who read your rants know that isn’t true, so why should we listen to you? Craig Glazer has just as much as right as any advertiser to comment on what he thinks is going on with the Pitch. Do I agree with everything that is said on this site? No, but it is good to here all opinions including those who take the time to write the articles. KC Confidential is interesting and I appreciate everyone who contributes–sometimes–that even includes you!
Eric Barton
I’m a former employee of The Pitch, and I’ll say this: That paper does the best journalism in Kansas City. Nobody does better arts reporting, restaurant reviews, in-depth journalism, blogging, and on and on.
After leaving KC, you realize the things that are great there — Loose Park, barbecue, the Plaza, the people. And I’ll throw The Pitch in there. It’s as strong as it has ever been, and it’s an institution in KC for good reason.
Josh
So says the guy who doesn’t even live here anymore?
Dexter Morgan
What is so great about Loose Park?
The last word
MERMAID-You never put anyone in there place. You usually just reveal your own stupidity. If I say you are a fat, flat chested, bleach blond with a mustache would that make sense? Of course not. That would be STUPID!! I’ve never seen you. Yet you make a comment about Rick being an old man. How stupid. Have you seen him? Oh I know maybe you are his ex-wife.
Also who the F*ck are you to try to put anyone in there place. You are an arrogant person who thinks you are better then everyone else and when GOD FORBID someone corrects you, you get all bent out of shape.
I have no clue if Rick is an old man. But I know you are a juvenile. THE LAST WORD
smartman
The Mass is ended let us go in peace to know and serve The Lord.
craig glazer
Enjoyed the banter, remember I didn’t say I disliked The Pitch, just wanted them to do a better job and it looks like most of you guys agree. I used to enjoy the articles and I still do at times but as the interview stated, not enough good stuff and not on the front page. Hopefully this type of noise will get them to try harder and thats a good thing.
mermaid
Obviously Rick you are “the last word”. You aren’t too hard to figure out. Either that or your boyfriend is really mad at me!
Trumpy
This website sucks. Glazer might as well dump all his ad money and keep getting quoted on this site for free.
cokebooger
Agreed, Trumpy — this post was like someone ranting about Boeing’s business moves while building a balsa wood glider in their buddy’s basement.
elephant ear labia
Riki tiki douche bag sure has some thin skin. A commentor voices her opinion and Rick the prick gets all whiney. “Maybe this isnt the place for you”. Like he has Ovaries or something..Jaysus this site is a sausage fest between quoting Craig deviated septum Glazer and chiming in with a mutual blow fest. christ.
rick
So elephant go some place else where u can use your 100’s of names. Right mermaid and you’re Craig Glazer. Sheesh… And I’ve gone from woman hater to gay….apparently i am hard to figure out.
rick
But……….me and last word have never been seen in the same place at the same time. Word-I’m Superman you’re Clark Kent. We’ll make Mermaid Lois Lane so you have to deal with her. Hearne is obviously perry white. Greg-Jimmy Olsen. Elephant ear/No name/Misc. other identities will be Lex Luthor but not as smart.
full of yourself
Here, here Trumpy. It does suck. Hearne should retire.
rick
good one smartman
gd
Is Craig Glazer equating his vague and poorly written attempt at media criticism with MLK’s “I Have A Dream” speech? What a maroon!
craig glazer
Hey shmo, gd, two comments on yours…I didn’t write the article, so you are a maroon..not me…and I did write a highly respected book sold for a major film, so now you are a double maroon…or did you mean moron….”the dogs bark and the caravan moves on..”
rick
Craig you don’t have to throw out your credentials. His maroon said all we needed to know about his opinion.
Rob Augustine
Craig, go peddle your dope, youre still a felon and thief and an embarressment to all. Your girlfriend says you wear her panties! Figures, you learn that in the joint?