Obama goes Ticketmaster on Media (PJ reference)
http://chicagoist.com/2008/10/21/obama_goes_ticketmaster_on_media.php
Obama Goes Ticketmaster on Media
It doesn't matter that his campaign was able to wrangle a whopping $150 million in September; Barack Obama is going to make media members dig deep into their pockets to attend Obamapalooza on Election Night. While logistics as to whether or not attendees will need tickets is still being sorted out, one thing is for sure: the media will be paying high prices to attain their passes. Depending on what amenities are needed, media members will pay from $715 to $1,815 for access. In addition, the media will have to pony up another $935 just to get access to the press tent to talk to campaign officials. There will be a free access area, but the press release from the Obama campaign describes it as, "outdoors, unassigned and may have obstructed views...standing room only.” So kind of like those shitty seats way up in the first level of Wrigley where you can't even see the scoreboard.
As one might imagine, this is not going over well. Lynn Sweet, for one, was quite unhappy with the arrangements.
This is an outrageous pay to play plan that caters to national elite outlets with deep pockets.
I am not asking for a free ride--but this is pricey and does not take into account some reporters won't need power, cable, internet or food but will crave the access more than the food. As I was talking to this unnamed spokesman about this enormously expensive set-up, he did say--that a news outlet could rotate people in and out of the tent on that one credential. Great.
All in all, we agree with Sweet. Sure, they're paying a hefty price to take over Grant Park, but gouging the media won't be a good start to that relationship if Obama wins. And then there's this bit of info, also from Lynn the Perturbed:
Obama's top donors--not the masses who donated the $5, $10 and $25 the campaign brag about--will have VIP access throughout election night and received an early heads up a week ago to plan to spend Election Night in Chicago.
If this holds true, it sure as hell doesn't help Barack shake that "elitist" label. We wonder what Pearl Jam thinks...
Obama Goes Ticketmaster on Media
It doesn't matter that his campaign was able to wrangle a whopping $150 million in September; Barack Obama is going to make media members dig deep into their pockets to attend Obamapalooza on Election Night. While logistics as to whether or not attendees will need tickets is still being sorted out, one thing is for sure: the media will be paying high prices to attain their passes. Depending on what amenities are needed, media members will pay from $715 to $1,815 for access. In addition, the media will have to pony up another $935 just to get access to the press tent to talk to campaign officials. There will be a free access area, but the press release from the Obama campaign describes it as, "outdoors, unassigned and may have obstructed views...standing room only.” So kind of like those shitty seats way up in the first level of Wrigley where you can't even see the scoreboard.
As one might imagine, this is not going over well. Lynn Sweet, for one, was quite unhappy with the arrangements.
This is an outrageous pay to play plan that caters to national elite outlets with deep pockets.
I am not asking for a free ride--but this is pricey and does not take into account some reporters won't need power, cable, internet or food but will crave the access more than the food. As I was talking to this unnamed spokesman about this enormously expensive set-up, he did say--that a news outlet could rotate people in and out of the tent on that one credential. Great.
All in all, we agree with Sweet. Sure, they're paying a hefty price to take over Grant Park, but gouging the media won't be a good start to that relationship if Obama wins. And then there's this bit of info, also from Lynn the Perturbed:
Obama's top donors--not the masses who donated the $5, $10 and $25 the campaign brag about--will have VIP access throughout election night and received an early heads up a week ago to plan to spend Election Night in Chicago.
If this holds true, it sure as hell doesn't help Barack shake that "elitist" label. We wonder what Pearl Jam thinks...
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
That fact that they threw Pearl Jam at the end doesnt make your post right for this forum, this belongs in the Movin Train.
And if i was Obama and I had people donating thousands of dollars (not $5 or $10) I would give them VIP access as well...
It's impossible to give VIP access to the all the poeple like me that donated $5, $10 or $25 dollars...
This type of complaints by the media are as stupid as them discussing the money spent on Sarah palin's wardrobe ( and I dislike Sarah Palin very very much) ...
It is just a little worrisome when places like Fox News can easily afford the price, yet smaller, more independent media outlets might not be able to afford the access, especially if this type of fee becomes commonplace.
"Obama's top donors--not the masses who donated the $5, $10 and $25 the campaign brag about--will have VIP access throughout election night and received an early heads up a week ago to plan to spend Election Night in Chicago.
If this holds true, it sure as hell doesn't help Barack shake that "elitist" label"
That quote sounds to me like they have a problem with it.
They are suggesting that he is elitist because he gives VIP access to some because they donated more than most... unless I'm reading that wrong.
The media benefits from covering all this type of events, they have the news they get ratings they don't have the access they don't benefit.
Sounds fair to me that they have to pony up a fee to cover something they will benefit of off. IMO
Sounds fair to me that they have to pony up a fee to cover something they will benefit of off. IMO[/quote"]
EXCATLY!
I think that is just the media taking a shot at Obama. I just meant complainging about VIP access is not the main point of the article.
Everyone is assuming FOX, NBC, CBS are the only ones affacted by this. What about NPR? What about smaller local media? $1000 is not a big deal to the big boys, but it could really hurt the small media members, especially if people everywhere start copying these fees. (We live in a copy cat world, if one person has an idea to make extra money, most people will follow suit). I think a lot of people here would be up in arms if Fox was the only media that could afford this price.
DO YOU PEOPLE HONESTLY THINK THE NEXT FOUR COULD BE NEARLY AS BAD AS THE LAST 8...OR 4 EVEN? You can bitch about either one of them but I don't see how either of them could do any worse.