Philly Inquirer memo re calls to ex-subscribers

Poynter ^ | 01/12/05 | Jim Romenesko

[Pikamax]

Topic: Memos Sent to Romenesko Date/Time: 1/12/2005 4:03:08 PM Title: Philly Inquirer memo re calls to ex-subscribers Posted By: Jim Romenesko

Memo sent to Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board members making calls to former subscribers.

Thank you for doing this.

Pat will give your list of names and numbers shortly.

Here's a rough idea of a script.

Introduce yourself as a member of the editorial board. You've heard that the person stopped the paper over concerns with election coverage (do not pin it on 21 Reasons; in fact, many people who cancelled did so over Polman or other issues), and you wanted to give them a call after the heat of the campaign died down.

If they blow you off, thank them for their time and let them know that if they ever want to resubscribe they can do so by calling our customer service line at 800-222-2765. They can get a 50 percent discount on the rate by mentioning that they had stopped the paper due to election coverage.

If they want to talk, that's a bummer. But a couple of talking points:

a) Are they aware that during the month of October, the paper ran more than 30 commentaries supporting President Bush and his policies, including many we solicited from Cabinet members and figures such as William Bennett? Are they aware that we regularly run William Safire, Jonah Goldberg and Charles Krauthammer?

b) Are they aware that, in U.S. Congress endorsements, we endorsed 7 Republicans and 6 Democrats for Congress, and Specter for Senate.

c) Are they aware that nearly every newspaper in the country endorses candidates, and has done so, and most major newspapers run series of editorials on issues in the presidential campaign.

If the person blows you off, say thank you and mark them under the "Do Not Call Request" column. If you bring someone back to the fold, obviously make the reorder column. If no one answers or the number is not in service, mark that under "Do Not Recall Request." If there's a message machine, leave a message.

Good luck.

Chris

[theDentist]

Yeah, I did. I noticed it when I read it again. Just didn't have time to put an "Ignore me" note out yet.

[CFC__VRWC]

There is no single statement that more clearly sums up why the paper has gone straight to hell ans stayed there.

They're not even bothering to try and bring these people back into the fold. They clearly consider anyone who they're calling to be nothing but a mouth-breathing, right-wing Neanderthal who's too dumbed down by Fox News to even listen to their enlightened reasoning. They're not explaining that they endorsed Specter and some local Republicans, they're bludgeoning these people with this stuff.

This is nothing more than yet another left-wing exercise to "prove" just how much more intelligent and morally superior the Inquirer people are than those grubby little Jesus freaks who voted for "The Chimp." It can't be anything else - are they really so dense that can't see just how insulting this script is?

[Mo1]

If they want to talk, that's a bummer. But a couple of talking points:

????????????????

[Tribune7]

It's the Inquirer. There memos make about as much sense as their stories.

They can get a 50 percent discount on the rate by mentioning that they had stopped the paper due to election coverage.

For a while there it was just about impossible to get them stop delivering after you cancelled.

[Sub-Driver]

it's fish wrap in our house along with the Courier Post....the only thing worthwhile is the sports section.....and the web site (subscription) is useless...