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Didn’t Like the Salon Idea? Have a Glass of Pinot Noir
By
Harry Jaffe
Published Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Having taken a beating for trying to set up evening salons where reporters could mingle with corporate types who’d pay big money for the privilege, the Washington Post now is attempting a more benign way to raise revenue: wine tastings—with reporters as guests.
This week’s event is scheduled for Thursday from 6 to 8:30 PM at the Post’s downtown DC headquarters.
The failed salon plan would have brought reporters together with politicians and businessmen for “off-the-record” chats, sponsored by corporations for as much as $25,000 a pop. This time the main event is the tasting of the wine; reporters are invited as an added attraction for the event, which is open to TastePost members.
The e-mail invite to Post staffers from Jennifer Keegan, advertising relations manager, reads: “This event, sponsored by Safeway, will feature dozens of premium wines, cheeses, and artisan bakery items.”
TastePost is an “online community” created by the Post in January. Charter members pay $20 a year. Among the benefits, members “will be invited to an array of local food and drink events, including TastePost Grand Tastings at The Washington Post.”
Post staffers do not have to be TastePost members to attend, but they do have to pay at the door. “Admission is normally $15 for TastePost members,” Keegan writes, “but as an employee you can get the reduced admission price of just $10.”
No word on the ground rules for reporters and corporate sponsors. >> Read more Harry Jaffe columns here More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
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Comments
The most famous drinking party may have been that recorded in Plato’s "Symposium," lasting well into the night, which soars to a discussion of High Love. Will the Washington Post parties rise to the occasion in their own way?
Posted by: Candadai Tirumalai, Nov 05, 2009 06:49:21 AM
Ten bucks for what--some bad wine and some cheese at the Washington Post building downtown during rush hour? What? WHO on earth would pay 10 bucks for that? Is Katherine Weymouth going to be there? Is Henry Allen going to fight snotty, dumb young reporters in a ring? Are they going to announce that the recent stupid, ugly "re-design" was just a practical joke, and that the paper is going back to its past, normal, readable design? Are they going to announce yet another re-design of the destroyed, horrible Sunday magazine? Will they announce that the weather map is now going to be even smaller? How about the announcement of more sub-headlines, so you can read three different headlines before you read a news story? If they announce any of these things, it might be worth a dollar or two. But 10 bucks for bad wine and cheese during rush hour? Who made that decision? Gawd, how the mighty have fallen fast.
Posted by: thefrontpage, Nov 05, 2009 06:41:58 AM
how about $10.00, I bring my own beer and I get to watch the Style editors rassle some more?
Posted by: HurledHeadlong, Nov 05, 2009 05:40:07 AM
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Posted at
12:55 PM/ET, 11/04/2009 in
Post Watch,
Harry Jaffe | Permalink
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