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How to Save Newspapers, Charity Edition

From Slate.com, which happens to be owned by the Washington Post Co. (WPO):

And just to be clear: The video is a joke. But the preroll ads that run before it–the two I’ve seen before are for Amway and some kind of fast food chain called Red Robin–are real. I think. Also not a joke: The New York Times (NYT)  is surveying readers to see what they’d think of paying $5 a month for Web access to the paper.

In related news, tomorrow is the first annual “Freelancers put on your pants day,” according to ASSME, which is a sort-of-serious blog/support group formed in the wake of last fall’s mass layoffs.

Comments

  1. Peter,

    What planet do you live on?
    “some kind of fast food chain called Red Robin”

    You mean “Red Robin Gourmet Burgers”
    http://www.redrobin.com/
    Oh, this Red Robin “In fiscal 2008, we generated total revenues of $869.2 million… 423 restaurants”.

    ,dave

    Posted by Dave Barnes at July 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
  2. Planet Brooklyn!
    What can I say? I’ve eaten at many a fast food restaurant, and never encountered that one before today. But I looked up the Red Robin corporate site, as well. Apparently the closest restaurant in my neck of the woods is in Clifton, N.J. So I’ll keep that in mind if I pass through.

    Posted by Peter Kafka at July 9th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
  3. The video is very funny and well worth watching.

    I am confused about the “joke” part. I also think they need understand that it helps to have and 800 number and a website displayed so that those of us who truly want to help, can do so.

    Posted by Dave Barnes at July 9th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

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Peter Kafka has been covering media and technology since 1997, when he joined the staff of Forbes magazine. Most recently, he has been the managing editor of the tech and media Web site, Silicon Alley Insider.

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