One of the greatest debates at newspapers for far longer than Ive been in the business is whether its acceptable to place advertisements on the front page of the paper.
Most people on the editorial side of newspapers dont like them.
For many years, the main reason for the opposition was a concern that a front-page ad diminishes the papers credibility and could be construed as an advertiser buying the news. Through the years, as businesses big and small have begun advertising on everything from sports stadiums to police cars, that concern has diminished though many in and out of the news business still have that worry.
Today, the concern about front-page advertising is as much about the impact on the look of a newspaper, or that it takes away from a constantly shrinking newshole. These are legitimate fears, though a well-designed ad can look really, really nice on a front page.
Economic realities over the years have led most newspapers to accept front-page advertising some now for a long time. Certainly, the front page is a great place for an advertiser to be.
The Monroe Times has placed front-page ads for quite some time. When we redesigned our paper in late 2006, across-the-page strip ads became acceptable on the front page, sports front page and the Life page, which is the back page of the second section. The only page where advertising is not allowed in the Times is the Views (opinion) page.
The New York Times caused a buzz in the newspaper industry Monday by publishing its first front-page ad, from the CBS television network. The reactions ranged from so what? to dismay and outrage.
Personally, I think front-page advertising long ago ceased to be a big deal. Its a fact of life for newspapers, as far as Im concerned. I dont think having a front-page ad has any impact on whether the reader believes a newspaper to be credible.
The type of ad, obviously, matters. Placing strip-club ads on the front page probably would impact credibility. So, too, might placing a political ad when the front page has a story about the same candidates campaign. Most newspapers, I think, are smarter than that.
And readers are smarter, too. I think those in the business who believe readers cant distinguish between news and advertising dont give their customers enough credit. Newspaper readers, after all, are smarter than people who dont read newspapers.
That was shameless pandering, of course. But you knew that already. Because youre brilliant.
Anyway, what do you think about front-page advertising? Does it bother you? Or do you like it? Or does it not matter at all?
Most people on the editorial side of newspapers dont like them.
For many years, the main reason for the opposition was a concern that a front-page ad diminishes the papers credibility and could be construed as an advertiser buying the news. Through the years, as businesses big and small have begun advertising on everything from sports stadiums to police cars, that concern has diminished though many in and out of the news business still have that worry.
Today, the concern about front-page advertising is as much about the impact on the look of a newspaper, or that it takes away from a constantly shrinking newshole. These are legitimate fears, though a well-designed ad can look really, really nice on a front page.
Economic realities over the years have led most newspapers to accept front-page advertising some now for a long time. Certainly, the front page is a great place for an advertiser to be.
The Monroe Times has placed front-page ads for quite some time. When we redesigned our paper in late 2006, across-the-page strip ads became acceptable on the front page, sports front page and the Life page, which is the back page of the second section. The only page where advertising is not allowed in the Times is the Views (opinion) page.
The New York Times caused a buzz in the newspaper industry Monday by publishing its first front-page ad, from the CBS television network. The reactions ranged from so what? to dismay and outrage.
Personally, I think front-page advertising long ago ceased to be a big deal. Its a fact of life for newspapers, as far as Im concerned. I dont think having a front-page ad has any impact on whether the reader believes a newspaper to be credible.
The type of ad, obviously, matters. Placing strip-club ads on the front page probably would impact credibility. So, too, might placing a political ad when the front page has a story about the same candidates campaign. Most newspapers, I think, are smarter than that.
And readers are smarter, too. I think those in the business who believe readers cant distinguish between news and advertising dont give their customers enough credit. Newspaper readers, after all, are smarter than people who dont read newspapers.
That was shameless pandering, of course. But you knew that already. Because youre brilliant.
Anyway, what do you think about front-page advertising? Does it bother you? Or do you like it? Or does it not matter at all?
