Quick thoughts for 08-03-13

Anyone know what’s up at the Winnipeg Sun? Rumour has it that some changes are on the way at the end of the month, and a full page ad in today’s paper says “Read Red March 30th.” A subsequent full pager features a message from the Publisher talking about the history of the paper, and encouraging readers to call him next Wednesday to give their feedback on what they like and what they don’t.

It’s likely just the start of a new marketing campaign, possibly based around the Sun’s signature red distribution box. However, I’ll take a guess at something bigger.

After testing out a free distribution model in several neighbourhoods over the past year, I wonder if the Sun is poised to eliminate home delivery altogether and move to free distribution throughout the city. It has certainly been the trend in the newspaper industry over the past several years: give away the content and make money on the advertising. Most Canadian cities already have two or three free dailies, are we about to get our first?

I also noticed that the Sun has adopted the tagline: “Winnipeg’s alternative voice”. That’s rich. A right-wing tabloid (referring to its journalistic style, not its actual format) portraying itself as an “alternative” media source? That’s right, the Sun Girl has been oppressed by “The Man” for too long.

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– Speaking of local papers, I’ve been meaning to give kudos to John White and the web team at the Free Press. The changes to the paper’s website over the past few months have been much appreciated. The page layout is cleaner, fonts are easier to read, menus work better. All around a great job.

– I have to imagine the NDP caucus office got a good chuckle out of Paul Wiecek’s Top 8 list today. Wiecek obviously doesn’t follow provincial politics too closely. No, I’m not going to explain that one any further.

– Gordon Sinclair Jr. is nominated for a National Newspaper Award for column writing? He’s no more qualified for that award than he is to win American Idol.

– I’m officially sick of Upper Fort Garry. Jerry Gray was back on CJOB this morning, twisting the truth about the project, deadlines and funding commitments. The “we’re taking our ball and going home if you don’t do exactly what we want” position of the Friends of Upper Fort Garry is truly pathetic. And these people are considered leaders in our community? Hey Jerry, for the umpteenth time, where are your group’s plans for the site? Not just the vague drawings, but the actual plans?

– Mayor Katz was pleading poverty last week, and now he and his Trade Council want to build a ring road throughout the city. That’s a bit of mixed messaging.