As you know I am a big fan of The Economist. And truth be told, when they had their article about a year or so ago about how they broke the 1 million subscriber mark, rather than celebrate, I sent a letter to The Economist berating them about how was it that such an excellent publication could have so few readers.
I then suggested that they target the Twin Cities market for we here in Minnesota suffer from a duopoly of two main papers, both of which are communist rags, and that The Economist could swoop in and take the market by storm.
The Economist was actually kind enough to have their main representative in New York call me and discuss it. I learned that The Economist's target market wasn't the everyday person, but that they were ACTUALLY ADVERTISING ON NPR!!!! That was their target market!!!!! 50 something burnt out hippies that listen to Prairie Home Companion, drive Volvo's and eat only organic food.
This shocked me for it almost seemed that The Economist didn't realize what a boon it is/could be to people of more righter leaning ideologies.
Well fast forward 2 years and many things have changed. One, Captain Capitalism has become a somewhat mentionable blog, but more importantly I got a radio show. And as you know there is no money in radio...unless you get sponsors.
Thus, I see a mutually beneficial opportunity.
I disagree with the marketing department at The Economist, I think there is a voracious demand for no-nonsense, unbiased, economic and political news and this demand is pent up in people who are sick of their schmaltzy, leftist dailies like the Star Tribune, The LA Times, The Pioneer Press, The Miami Herald and other MSM entities that hold metropolitan areas oligopolistic hostage. I see additional voracious demand in the collegiate-aged youth as many of you here have exhibited here.
The Economist does not see that.
The Economist is like that beautiful girl next door that has braces, her hair put up and thick rimmed glasses. AND YOU JUST KNOW IF SHE'D LET IT DOWN WE'D BE ALL OVER HER!!!!
THUS, I am doing what I can contacting their offices here in the States to see if they'd be interested in sponsoring The Economics Supper Club (ahem, which you can listen to on AM 1500 on Saturdays from 1-3PM Central Standard time!).
What I need is all Junior Deputy Economists, Aspiring Economists, and Captain Capitalism Groupies that have subscribed to The Economist to make a post here so I can show the people at The Economist that there is demand for their services, it's not the Baby Boomer Public Sector Granola Eaters, and that (ahem) if you happened to have subscribed to The Economist because of this blog, that you also make that known ;)
Besides, it's just a crying shame and pity that PEOPLE MAGAZINE has almost 4 times as many readers.
There is something seriously wrong with the world when people care more about Brittney Spear's latest excursion into sluttery than whether the the shrinking budget deficit is the cause of the Laffer Effect.
I used to subscribe. My Mom's office has a subscription, so I occationally read the Economist there.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I guess you probably want to know what demographic group I fit into: I'm a twenty year old male university student living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
ReplyDeleteHoly cows!! I always thought the Economist was for right-leaning free-market advocates. I almost feel dirty now knowing it is marketed to goody granolas. You hear that Economist marketing people? Please endorse our dear Captain and spread you goodness to the people who actually support rational economies, not those that oppose you.
ReplyDeleteI've heard their sponsorship on NPR and I get the impression they sponsor only certain programs and content - it's surprising how NPR is so market-driven. In other words, they might not be crazy - though they certainly should be reaching out to your listeners and readers.
ReplyDeleteI have subscribed to the Economist for about a decade, so I can't give this blog credit for it... but every time I recommend Captain Capitalism to someone, they comment on the references to (or graphics from) the Economist. I then hand them a subscription card and encourage them to use it.
I'm a 26-year old grad student subscriber. I've subscribed for years. There's no other magazine where you can get as much international news (even non-economic stuff).
ReplyDeleteI will say though, that I also listen to NPR heavily. I appreciate the programming that The Economist sponsors. Shows like The World, Marketplace, etc. Great shows providing much-needed balance to NPR.
I should also say that the customer service dept. is top-notch.
More of my econ student friends would subscribe if it was marketed to them.
Hope you get a sponsorship.
I got myself a subscription last year for my birthday (I think it just expired) - but like some others, I'm a 26 year old grad student. I find that it's content in terms of itnernational news & current events is pretty much without rival. I don't have the time really to read a daily paper between school and work, but if I did, I used to be rather fond of Financial Times - had a quarterly subscription for a few back in undergrad.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, the Financial Times is 50% owner of The Economist Group.
ReplyDeleteI used to subscribe to The Economist, but I let it lapse because I didn't have time to read it weekly and also I didn't take to the characterizations of social issues found in the magazine. I am a 19 year old female living near our nation's capital and majoring in economics. : )
ReplyDeleteBless you my child.
ReplyDelete