Panhandling in Miami

[partain]

Saw this link on journalism jobs

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Herald-Online-Users-Can-You-Spare-a-Dime-79314002.html

Miami Herald is giving online readers a chance to contribute whatever amount they might want for reading stuff online.

Not sure 10 cents here and 20 cents there is going to make a difference. But I guess the pay model has to start somewhere.

 

[playthrough]

That's just pathetic.

 

[Ace]

I was going to spare some change for the Miami Herald until it said it needed it for diapers, gas money and bus fare home.

 

[golfnut8924]

Wow.

When all the music downloading stuff started to heat up, there was one band (can't remember who it was for the life of me) set up a "pay what you want" deal for downloading their music. Surprisingly, it was quite successful, at least more so than you'd think.

Not sure if it will have the same effect with a newspaper though. I know it sounds like a crazy idea to publishers for some reason, but why don't they just charge for it in the first place?

 

[Bruhman]

In church, this is called a "free will" offering. At this point in our beloved industry's downward spiral, I don't blame the Herald for seeking new revenue streams short of a paywall.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Wow.

When all the music downloading stuff started to heat up, there was one band (can't remember who it was for the life of me) set up a "pay what you want" deal for downloading their music. Surprisingly, it was quite successful, at least more so than you'd think.

Not sure if it will have the same effect with a newspaper though. I know it sounds like a crazy idea to publishers for some reason, but why don't they just charge for it in the first place?

Radiohead.

 

[playthrough]

In church, this is called a "free will" offering. At this point in our beloved industry's downward spiral, I don't blame the Herald for seeking new revenue streams short of a paywall.

It's not seeking new revenue streams. Or telling readers to "donate or else," even if that's what it might really mean. Panhandling is the perfect term.

 

[Joe Williams]

Can we assume that this guy will match the combined spare change from all the Herald's charitable users?

He would seem to have some available dough, considering he didn't heed the Sacramento Guild's suggestion of a pay cut down to $500K:

Gary Pruitt's compensation as chairman and chief executive of The McClatchy Co. fell 40 percent last year, The Bee's owner said Tuesday. Amid a decline in profits and revenue, Pruitt's compensation fell to $2.8 million, down from $4.6 million in 2007, Sacramento-based McClatchy told the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

[golfnut8924]

Wow.

When all the music downloading stuff started to heat up, there was one band (can't remember who it was for the life of me) set up a "pay what you want" deal for downloading their music. Surprisingly, it was quite successful, at least more so than you'd think.

Not sure if it will have the same effect with a newspaper though. I know it sounds like a crazy idea to publishers for some reason, but why don't they just charge for it in the first place?

Radiohead.

Ah, thanks. I was racking my brain trying to think of who it was.

 

[lone star scribe]

Gary Pruitt's compensation as chairman and chief executive of The McClatchy Co. fell 40 percent last year, The Bee's owner said Tuesday. Amid a decline in profits and revenue, Pruitt's compensation fell to $2.8 million, down from $4.6 million in 2007, Sacramento-based McClatchy told the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Maybe we could pass a hat around the newsroom for Gary. Imagine, having to struggle to get by on $2.8 million. Makes my 7% pay cut seem paltry. Actually, makes our entire newsroom's salary seem paltry.

 

[Small Town Guy]

They could learn something from the people on the subway.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am homeless, but I do have a job and I am working hard so I don't end up in prison. I do work for a newspaper. Times are tough. Internet, falling circulation, advertising rates plummeting. But I'm working hard to get back on my feet. I've learned how to podcast and shoot video. Anything you can spare to help, whether it's a quarter, a dollar or a classified ad selling your car. Or even a sandwich, our sportswriters miss their free food. Please, good people."

 

[Mystery Meat II]

I only give money to newspapers that will be honest with me and tell me they're using the money to buy cheap vodka.

 

[golfnut8924]

I only give money to newspapers that will be honest with me and tell me they're using the money to buy cheap vodka.

A few years ago I was leaving a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. There were some bums outside with typical signs like "homeless, please help," and yadda yadda. There was one guy with a sign that said, "Why lie? I need money to get drunk."

He was getting a ton of money from people because everyone loved his sign.

 

[Batman]

I only give money to newspapers that will be honest with me and tell me they're using the money to buy cheap vodka.

A few years ago I was leaving a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. There were some bums outside with typical signs like "homeless, please help," and yadda yadda. There was one guy with a sign that said, "Why lie? I need money to get drunk."

He was getting a ton of money from people because everyone loved his sign.

Once the crowd thinned out, I wonder if the other bums ganged up and mugged him?