The economic downturn keeps taking its toll. Today, Patrick Graham, the publisher of Below the Line, a newspaper claiming to be the "editorial voice of the crew", wrote a plaintive email addressed to Hollywood types warning that the November issue can't come out without more ads. "In the old days (last year), my editorial prerogative was clear; celebrate crew and keep a firm line between advertising and editorial content. But, those heady days of fairytale beliefs (like my homes value being stable and the one about my modest stock portfolio that would never drop more then 1 or 3 percent in any given year) are behind us, painfully behind us. So now, my editorial prerogative has changed; celebrate crew & survival. I'm writing to the Awards PR community to make this clear; I can't print issues WITHOUT ADs... I have to kill the issue tonight unless I get at least three more ads (I only have one now). A hard cover would be great.... Not one campaign has booked anything for the online either. Not one. I'm not asking for an Awards year like two or three years ago, I'm talking about "support your PR people's hard work with some ads to show you care". Ink, paper, writers and distribution cost real money. Below the Line deserves real ads."
Newspaper For Below-The-Liners In Peril


If you have to beg for support, you really need to re-evaluate your business strategy. That assumes you have one.
At least he is honest, and facing his issue. On the other hand, it’s not the job of the audience to fund your venture, that’s your job. Reality can be harsh.
I hope he finds a way to make a go of it.
Hope someone can help Patrick out…
That paper is useless, it’s all production listing that are old, I don’t know one person who has ever gotten a job from it. They have a screening program, free, which was nice then they started charging for “more access to better films.”
Other than the folks out of jobs, which is bad in this economy; that paper won’t be missed when it crashes.
Yep, that’s my letter. Damn glad I ran it through spell check!
I think I’m the only publisher in town that is saying aloud what every trade publisher is thinking. We got the Oct issue out and our next issue is coming out in Nov 13 – six FYC ads sold so far. Wish me luck.
ps
Sucks about LA Times.
Survival of the fittest includes trade publications.
I don’t know if you did good or did bad with your magazine (I still don’t know what your magazine writes about – sorry!) but I do know this: I don’t want to see another damn person lose a job because of those screw-ups on Wall Street! This is America and we need to stick together and fight for each other instead of this “survial of the richest” hate-game. When did rooting for a fellow human become so passe’?
I wish you and your company and your employees well and a safe and prosperous 2009 and beyond.
I can’t think of one BTL person who actually looks at this dishrag of a publication, much less uses it for information. So it won’t be missed, at all.
wow-considering the publisher has stiffed a legion of editors and writers and lost the good will of freelance writers everywhere-the sheer gall that he has in asking of ads is kind of poetic justice. What goes around.