This hurts. I urge you to read the Sunday column by our local newspaper editor Tom Marquardt at Marquardtsays. Pay special attention to the last portion. Was it good to the last drop?
Did you read it? What did you think of the letter from the local business owner? Do you think he was justified in his anger toward the newspaper? Do you think the editor responded to him in a fair manner?
I agree with and support Mr. Marquardt. I got wind of this letter before it was published and went to see Ahh Coffee's owner Dan McMahon just to confirm that he wrote it. McMahon believes the newspaper owes him something special--everybody does, including me! But I can't understand why he felt his missive would do him or anybody any good. Now that his invective has been amplified through the media (yes--he got his wish) does he think it will result in any goodwill? I think not. Quite the opposite I suppose. Not only that--one of the reporters he abused is a frequent customer in his shop--or at least was. I've even met with her there--twice! One time was for conducting an interview with me and four others for an article she wrote. I doubt she'll spend her money in there again. (Heck--when I was the victim of verbal abuse by the owner of another local place, I vowed not to go there again. Besides, it's dirty, noisy and has poor service...and then there are negatives as well. I would never tell you the name of the place but is located at 49 West St. LOL!!!)
I have even editorialized about how much the excessive amount of free press the local paper has given to coffee shops. As Marquardt shows, Ahh, Coffee! has been the beneficiary of free publicity provided by the newspaper on more than one occasion. In fact, Ahh Coffee has been the beneficiary of beaucoup free publicity provided by this here blog--many times and to much direct monetary benefit to Ahh, Coffee--not to mention the patronage. But has Ahh, Coffee! purchased any advertising from me? No. How shall I stay in business? Should that be the concern of Ahh, Coffee? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
I write this blog as a community service (and possibly for other reasons, but that would be bordering on psychiatry to explain). Do local advertisers support me? Hardly. I write about local issues and businesses all the time and attract lots of local readers and what do I get for it? (besides the anonymous and insulting letters...). I provide free publicity to Ahh, Coffee!, bring in a dozen customers once a week to discuss local issues (often with influential local leaders), meet there with business clients, hold a book signing for an author, announce my candidacy for alderman there and he does not advertise with me. To add insult to injury--the owner writes a mean letter to one local media outlet complaining it does not cover him--and I wonder, what might he do to other local media outlets?
For full disclosure,Ahh, Coffee! gives me a modest discount for coffee....I said modest discount....not free--it's almost not worth mentioning. I even bring my own mug.
AJ Liebling said freedom of the press belongs to those that own one. Ironically, the Capital, which owns a press, found it is less expensive to print on someone else's press, but thanks to cyber technology, anyone can be a publisher today--even the owner of a coffee shop such as Dan McMahon.
I am all with Editor Marquardt when he wrote, "Excuse me if I'm venting, but I grow weary of people who want something for free while expecting others to pay. I doubt Dan gives out free coffee. If merchants like him want a local newspaper to report his arts shows and coffee klatches, they need to support it by buying ads - or there won't be a medium around to write about them. I thank our advertisers who understand this."
If I were Dan's business adviser, I'd be telling him to reflect upon what Marquardt wrote and to give away coffee at his office and buy lots of ads from them to make nice. Of course I'd first tell him to buy ads at Annapolis Capital Punishment. But I am not his business adviser--and he is not my editorial adviser--nor that of Mr. Marquardt. Dan McMahon should read the line in italics below the last line of this and every post at CP. He might just happen to notice the name of his business--as do the many hundreds and hundreds of local readers see on every post. And when I come in next Thursday with all the other customers who come each week because of this blog, maybe he ought to roll out the red carpet and give free mocha-latte-cappuccinos to all of us--for a year. Maybe he ought to give me lots of gift certificates. Maybe he ought to promote CP at his shop. I'm happy to give him all this business and pay full price for coffee. Why won't he spring for advertising?
Please send comments, subscribe, share with your friends, and support our sponsors. DAN SEE THIS---RIGHT HERE---Join us at Ahh Coffee! in Eastport almost every Thursday from 8-9 am.
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3 Comments:
Man you are SO off base here Paul and so is Marquardt.
I will concede that the letter sent by McMahon was childish and stupid. But it apparently hit a nerve with Marquardt and he chose to not only print the letter but to publicly lambaste a local business.
One of the rules of journalism (a topic that I woudl expect you and Marquardt to know about) is that you don't mix advertising with editorial. Did the policy change? Did I miss a memo?
Do advertisers now need to pay to play? It sure seems so.
Like it or not, Marquardt has a bully pulpit (and to a lesser degree you do as well)and in a small town with a community paper, his words (and their impact on a local business) is akin to a bad review from the New York Times on a new restaurant.
If I recall, the last mention of Ahh Coffee in The Capital was a story of struggling businesses. Not the best press that any business wants--struggling or not. And now, Marquardt got his feelings hurt and is taking it out as he stands on the pulpit.
You are hypocritical as well. You lambasted The Capital for featuring in font page/front section features with color photos the City Dock Coffee stores. And now you are agreeing with The Capital because Ahh Coffee did not pay you to advertise??
I am glad you are getting a discounted coffee--is that the same discount as everyone that brings their own mug or is it a special discount because you support the business?
Yes, Dan has no right to demand free press. His letter was ridiculous. But, Marquardt has no right to demand advertising for the press he gives, and then for you to jump on the bandwagon is ridiculous.
If I were you, I might look very carefully in your cup of Joe on Thursday--there might be a special surprise in it!
John.
I think you are SO off-base here. Why was it wrong of Tom Marquardt to publish the letter? That's exactly what Mr. McMahon wanted. That's why it was sent as a "LETTER TO THE EDITOR." He did not publicly lambaste a local business--that's what Mr. McMahon did. Marquardt just did his job which was to give the letter ink and newsprint.
I can't speak for Mr. Marquardt, but from knowing his work, reading his column and having had many conversation with him about the press and public affairs, I don't believe that either of us need a lecture about "rules" of journalism. In my case there was no memo or policy change.
You ask "do advertisers need to pay to play?" No they do not--and that was a rhetorical question anyhow. But news media need revenue to "play". As Marquardt pointed out, coffee shops are not in business to give away product either.
I think you overestimate the power of the "bully pulpit" but Mr. McMahon just got free use of it--again--which is what he asked for. So what's the problem here?
Ahh Coffee has been mentioned many times in The Capital--and is mentioned in EVERY POST HERE...for free. You seem concerned that The Capital reported that it was mentioned as part of a story about a struggling business--and seem to think that was bad? For one thing--it is newsworthy--unless you only want good news. For another thing, the story may have gotten out because it was "fed" to the reporter by Mr. McMahon--which is what he wants to happen. In fact, Mr. McMahon posted notices in plain view in his shop asking customers specifically to write to The Capital about his business challenges as he sought attention and "sympathy" customers. He asked for it. He got it. Now you are upset with the paper for doing its job?
Whether or not Mr. Marquardt's "feelings" were hurt, I think he had a right to be upset--and he answered the complaint in kind. Ahh, Coffee! is public. SO is a letter from its owner--unless it said "personal and not for publication". While you are correct that I did criticize the newspaper for repetitive and excessive coverage of local coffee shops, I do not know why that makes me hypocritical or why you take issue with me.
I am not as you say "agreeing with The Capital because Ahh Coffee did not pay you [me] to advertise". What I am saying is clearly and simply that if Mr. McMahon does not advertise in The Capital, and then does get write-ups from them and then complains that it is not enough, why is it that I give him a huge amount of business, a huge amount of free publicity and specifically bring in customers through this blog that while he complains about The Capital, I not only do not get thanked but he does not advertisem with me? He wants to have his cake and eat it too! He wants it both ways! He just feels he can demand and deserve free publicity. I give it to him to support a local business and he is still not grateful--and I get nothing....He whines to The Capital but he forgets that it is a business. He wants it to do more and more and more for him. Well, I do more and more and more for him--and what do I get? Zero salary. Almost zero ad revenue--a slightly reduced cup of coffee--which I disclosed even though it is inconsequential--and then you even try to somehow twist that to make a point against me? Puhlleeeze.
It did not "jump on the bandwagon" but I am writing because of the special relationship I have with Ahh, Coffee--as you well know because you come in almost every Thursday--and you bring your dollars and you see how much business I bring as well. And you read and enjoy this blog. Are you paying for reading this? No. Is Dan McMahon? No! But you both get utility or rent or benefit or pleasure. SO again--what's the problem from my labor--my efforts, my work, my time--and I have to eat!. You are welcome to buy me coffee. You are welcome to buy an ad. You are welcome to give me a donation. How about it? Have I ever asked? No, I have not--and you have been very helpful in many ways and you are a loyal reader and I appreciate it, but am I getting paid for this? Hardly worth a mention--and yet all kinds of people write or call wanting me to not only write but to do research, investigate, do this and do that!
As for your last cryptic sentence, which I find somewhat disturbing and out of character, I'll make sure to switch my cup with yours on Thursday when you are not watching. Anyhow--I have developed an immunity to Iocaine powder.
We disagree--but you are a loyal reader and that is important. See you at Ahh, Coffee on Thursday--if it's still open--and I certainly hope it will be. Thanks.
We will have to agree to disagree here. Most letters to the editor do not result in a counter letter from the editor lambasting the original letter!
I stand by my position and just be forewarned if you swap coffee cups--mine is hot chocolate!
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