'The Day the Media Died' Goes Viral

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Journalism Online: Time to Pay for Online News

Is the end of ad-supported "free" online news upon us? A new venture called Journalism Online believes that online news needs to start charging subscription fees, and it wants to be the one-stop subscription site that makes it all possible. Backed by some heavy hitters, the company could reshape the online news ecosystem. [Click for MORE]

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Another LA Times Advertisement Draws Fire

A day after it ran a front-page advertisement for an NBC show that resembled a news story, The Los Angeles Times faced more questions Friday for another promotion designed to look like news.

This Sunday’s Calendar entertainment section will be accompanied by a four-page advertisement for the movie “The Soloist” that is laid out like a news section. [Click for MORE] Sphere: Related Content

How Much Is the Front Page of the LA Times Worth?

Page-one advertising — unthinkable just a few short months ago but now standard in many newspapers — took another huge leap this morning on the cover of today’s Los Angeles Times. Yep: That’s an L-shaped ad for the premiere of a new NBC television series. A thick border surrounds both the display and and the faux editorial content, making it clear both belong together. [Click for MORE]

• Eddy talked down from much worse NBC ad
• LA Times staff petitions against fake news story on front page
• Don't look now, but LAT does it again
• An Ad Becomes the News On L.A. Times' Page One
• Times admits to ad backlash

How Much Is the Entire Front Page of the Daily Bruin Worth?

• Daily Bruin 'financial situation is grim', runs front page ad wrap
• Bruin Editorial: Ad on front page due to financial distress
• Not the sort of innovation we need

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Circuit City to Shut Down

Another Major Advertiser Bites the Dust

Bankrupt electronics retailer Circuit City Inc. said Friday it has asked for court approval to close its remaining 567 U.S. stores and sell all its merchandise.

The company said it has 34,000 employees.

"We are extremely disappointed by this outcome," James Marcum, acting CEO for Circuit City, said in a statement. "We were unable to reach an agreement with our creditors and lenders to structure a going-concern transaction in the limited timeframe available, and so this is the only possible path for our company." [Click for MORE]

> Magazine Ads Evaporated in 2008, Faster as Months Went On

More Advertisers Who Have Filed for Bankruptcy

From Associated Press:

The fallout from the miserable holiday season is in full swing, and experts expect even more retailers to file for bankruptcy or just liquidate in coming months as consumers keep tight control of their spending because of job worries and dwindling retirement accounts.

Among notable retailers who have filed for bankruptcy protection since May:

• Circuit City Stores Inc., the nation's second-biggest electronics retailer, filed for Chapter 11 in November. But the chain announced Friday that it will liquidate its 567 U.S. stores after failing to reach a deal to sell the company.
• Department store chain Gottschalks Inc. put itself up for sale and filed to reorganize in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday.
• Discount clothing chain Goody's Family Clothing filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, the retailer's second such petition in less than a year as it struggles with mounting debt and a staggering drop-off in sales.
• KB Toys filed for bankruptcy protection two weeks before Christmas and has been liquidating its stores. KB Toys also filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2004.
• Parent Co., the operator of online toy seller etoys.com, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December and said it will consider selling some or all of its operations.
• Linens 'N Things filed for bankruptcy protection in May. It announced liquidation sales at its stores in October after failing to find a buyer that wanted to operate the company.
• Steve & Barry's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July, then later abandoned plans to keep stores open and said it would liquidate.
• Mervyns LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July and said it would hold liquidation sales at its remaining stores.

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