Infinite MonkeysThe New York Times now denies that they gave MoveOn.org a discounted rate for their ad. I don't buy it.
Mathis confirmed the open rate for an ad of that size and type was around $181,000. Among reasons for lower rates are advertisers buying in bulk or taking a standby rate, she said.
I've been in the newspaper business my entire professional life. I have never worked in advertising, so I can't say for certainty what a "standby rate" is. But common sense suggests that you can get a discounted rate for a full-page ad if you don't care when the ad runs. You sit on "standby." And if the ad people can't sell a full-page ad, then you get that slot. It's hit and miss. You could wait days or weeks, I'd imagine. But you have no control over when the ad runs.
It is odd, then, that MoveOn's ad referred to the testimony Gen. Petraeus would give "today" when they ran the ad on Monday. That's an inconvenient coincidence for The New York Times spinners.
The only reasonable explanation that doesn't expose The New York Times as co-conspirators with the ad is that MoveOn has bought full-page spreads from The New York Times in bulk. With George Soros backing them, they certainly have the money. But I have my doubts.
I find it hard to believe that MoveOn has a standing account with the Times so it can drop one whenever the mood strikes them. Full-page bulk sales go to huge stores, such as Macy's, that incorporate such expenses in their budgets — and the cost must be at least $1 million. I doubt even Soros would front that kind of coin for whenever MoveOn wants to get its wacky Jones off in the biggest way.
I certainly hope my buddy Charlie doesn't "move on" from this story until he gets to the bottom of it. Methinks he won't.
Posted by Dr. Zaius at September 13, 2007 08:37 PM