What exactly does that word "public" in Minnesota Public Radio’s name mean? One thing it does not mean, apparently, is unfettered by commercial considerations. When the Minnesota Independent inquired about buying banner ads on MPR.org to promote our new name and site design, we were informed — after submitting designs for station approval — that they wouldn’t sell us ads.
Why is that? Content too controversial? Packaging somehow offensive?
Nope. I was informed by an ad rep that "MPR doesn’t accept underwriting from online news sites," period. MPR, he continued, is "working to build awareness of our own news site" and selling sponsorship to us might dilute that.
In other words, despite our small staff and modest traffic — not to mention the fact that MPR is a behemoth of the public broadcasting world and we, um, aren’t — we present a clear and present competitive danger to Klingdom? "That may be part of it," the rep acknowledged. (Not an official media contact, he forwarded me to MPR senior communications VP Margaret Ann Hennen for an official response, but she hasn’t yet replied to my request for comment.)
Joel Kramer, founder of another nonprofit online news site, MinnPost.com, has trouble with the public-radio company’s stance. "My view is that since MPR is not-for-profit, its primary goal should be to serve the community, not protect its own market share," he said via email. "The community is best served by having many thriving sources of news and information."
He should know. MinnPost.com had the same experience shortly after its launch last winter: It had inked a $12,000 underwriting deal with MPR, but the station refused to renew it.
20 Comments »
Comment posted July 8, 2008 @ 8:34 am
But they can have that ridiculous Amazon.com referral box?
I generally lurve MPR, but that's crap.
Comment posted July 8, 2008 @ 9:23 am
I'm not fan of Kling, but I can kinda see their point. NBC isn't going to advertise ABC shows on their site. And you may only have a modest following now, but MPR may put you over the top. Not likely, but the whole point of advertising is to get like-minded people to come to your site, right?
Comment posted July 8, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Reminds me of the time my Prairie Ho Companions and I were hanging out watching Current TV planning a Low Power FM radio station and talking about all the great reasons to never give MPR a dime.
Comment posted July 8, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
But they can have that ridiculous Amazon.com referral box?
I generally lurve MPR, but that’s crap.
Comment posted July 8, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
I’m not fan of Kling, but I can kinda see their point. NBC isn’t going to advertise ABC shows on their site. And you may only have a modest following now, but MPR may put you over the top. Not likely, but the whole point of advertising is to get like-minded people to come to your site, right?
Comment posted July 8, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
Reminds me of the time my Prairie Ho Companions and I were hanging out watching Current TV planning a Low Power FM radio station and talking about all the great reasons to never give MPR a dime.
Comment posted July 8, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Those further to the left have been aware of the dark side MPR for a while. It (and NPR) were pro-Iraq war, pushing far more warmongering voices than peace voices. The best that can be said for it is that it's better than any corporate radio - but it could be so much more.
Not advertising competitors? Well, they make their bread and butter on a public resource - the radio dial - and they're supposed to be non-profit themselves? But they won't TAKE MONEY to allow MinnPost and MinnIndy their day in the sun? Cheap. Not good stewards of the public's interests.
Comment posted July 8, 2008 @ 9:37 pm
Those further to the left have been aware of the dark side MPR for a while. It (and NPR) were pro-Iraq war, pushing far more warmongering voices than peace voices. The best that can be said for it is that it’s better than any corporate radio - but it could be so much more.
Not advertising competitors? Well, they make their bread and butter on a public resource - the radio dial - and they’re supposed to be non-profit themselves? But they won’t TAKE MONEY to allow MinnPost and MinnIndy their day in the sun? Cheap. Not good stewards of the public’s interests.
Comment posted July 10, 2008 @ 10:00 am
I don't really see it a matter of protecting market share.
It more probable that given the background of this “news gathering” website, in particular, MPR rightly feels that advertisement banners from Minnesota “Independant” would give yet more credence to the widely held opinion that public radio (and television) are nothing more than left wing functionaries operating on the public's dime.
Can't the Sorosphere be self more supporting by now? Cross pollenation between MoveOn, MediaMatters, Open Society, CAP and its various “independant” propaganda clearinghouses seems a natural path.
Oh, but openly cooperating is probably against the rules, right?
Comment posted July 10, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
I don’t really see it a matter of protecting market share.
It more probable that given the background of this “news gathering” website, in particular, MPR rightly feels that advertisement banners from Minnesota “Independant” would give yet more credence to the widely held opinion that public radio (and television) are nothing more than left wing functionaries operating on the public’s dime.
Can’t the Sorosphere be self more supporting by now? Cross pollenation between MoveOn, MediaMatters, Open Society, CAP and its various “independant” propaganda clearinghouses seems a natural path.
Oh, but openly cooperating is probably against the rules, right?
Comment posted July 10, 2008 @ 5:24 pm
The Minnesota Independent “I-Team” ought to do an in-depth study of the HUGE endowment Minnesota Public Radio has amassed. Have you ever noticed during their never-ending fund drives that they always talk about “reaching their goal,” but they never actually tell the lsitener what the goal is. There's a reason. They don't want the listener to know that they are sitting on a pile of cash so thick that they'll never run out - even if everyone in S. Minneapolis and Duluth stopped giving today.
Go ahead…ask Bill Kling to show you the MN Public Radio books and you'll discover an “endowment” that is embarrassingly massive.
Comment posted July 10, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
The Minnesota Independent “I-Team” ought to do an in-depth study of the HUGE endowment Minnesota Public Radio has amassed. Have you ever noticed during their never-ending fund drives that they always talk about “reaching their goal,” but they never actually tell the lsitener what the goal is. There’s a reason. They don’t want the listener to know that they are sitting on a pile of cash so thick that they’ll never run out - even if everyone in S. Minneapolis and Duluth stopped giving today.
Go ahead…ask Bill Kling to show you the MN Public Radio books and you’ll discover an “endowment” that is embarrassingly massive.
Comment posted July 11, 2008 @ 6:49 am
Wow, way to be whiny.
Question: do you write 'stories' like this for every website that doesn't want to sell you ad space? Or just the ones you think you're somehow entitled to be advertised on?
Comment posted July 11, 2008 @ 11:49 am
Wow, way to be whiny.
Question: do you write ’stories’ like this for every website that doesn’t want to sell you ad space? Or just the ones you think you’re somehow entitled to be advertised on?
Comment posted July 13, 2008 @ 7:50 am
You ought to consult your business reporter to review the differences between “not for profit” and “not for revenue”. Every dime MPR generates goes back into their left-wing causes. Every page view that goes to Indy means a few cents our of their pocket, which injures their agenda.
Get over it already, and welcome to the real world.
Comment posted July 13, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
You ought to consult your business reporter to review the differences between “not for profit” and “not for revenue”. Every dime MPR generates goes back into their left-wing causes. Every page view that goes to Indy means a few cents our of their pocket, which injures their agenda.
Get over it already, and welcome to the real world.
Comment posted August 7, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
Minnesota Public Radio - a joke on your FM dial. These guys are snoozing, phoning in their stories and collecting from the duped citizens who think “Minnesota Nice” mens you ought to cough up the dough everytime Bill Kling asks you to. Wake up!
Comment posted August 7, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
Minnesota Public Radio - a joke on your FM dial. These guys are snoozing, phoning in their stories and collecting from the duped citizens who think “Minnesota Nice” mens you ought to cough up the dough everytime Bill Kling asks you to. Wake up!
Comment posted August 11, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
There's little “Public” about MPR. It is a cash-rich organization whose main focus is fundraising. Minnesotans should demand that MPR spend down its outlandishly large endowment before asking for one more dime from the dupes who fall for their ponzi scheme.
Comment posted August 11, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
There’s little “Public” about MPR. It is a cash-rich organization whose main focus is fundraising. Minnesotans should demand that MPR spend down its outlandishly large endowment before asking for one more dime from the dupes who fall for their ponzi scheme.
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