April 26, 2016
From our Local Dailies DisADvantage desk
The Natural Resources Defense Council and the Ad Council have teamed up to run an ad campaign with the theme Save the Food, urging people to reduce food waste.
Here’s the eighth-page ad that ran in yesterday’s Boston Globe Metro section.
Today, the campaign moved up to the A section of the Globe.
On its website, the Ad Council elaborates:
While food plays a key role in shaping our identities and it is highly celebrated in American society, each year 40 percent of food in the United States goes to waste, translating to $162 billion lost and wasted water, energy, fertilizers, cropland, and production costs.
In addition to wasting precious resources, nearly all of the food waste ends up in landfills where it decomposes and releases methane, a form of climate pollution that is up to 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In fact, food is the single largest contributor to U.S. landfills today. All of this while one in seven Americans do not have a steady supply of food to their tables.
Consumers are responsible for more wasted food than farmers, grocery stores, restaurants, or any other part of the food supply chain . . .
Speaking of waste, the headscratching staff wonders why the Ad Council isn’t also running its ads in the Boston Herald. We’re contacting the group to ask just that, and as always, we’ll keep you posted.
1 Comment | 
Uncategorized | Tagged: Ad Council, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Local Dailies DisADvantage, Natural Resources Defense Council, Save the Food | 
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Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 25, 2016
From our Credit Where Credit’s Due desk
In the course of covering local events, the Boston dailies often piggyback on one another’s stories, most often without acknowledging that the rival paper got there first. (See, for example, the Boston Globe’s routine drafting off the Boston Herald’s Grand Prix of Boston coverage.)
But sometimes one of the dailies does the right thing. Spoiler alert: It isn’t the Globe.
Page One of yesterday’s Boston Sunday Globe featured this piece about Mayor Martin J. Wiretap.
Walsh is drawn into federal labor probe
Before he was mayor, when Walsh was a labor leader, he was heard on a wiretap saying he had warned a developer using non-union workers. Walsh denies it.
A sweeping federal investigation into allegations of strong-arm tactics by unions has triggered a wave of subpoenas to union leaders, developers, and Boston City Hall staff, bringing scrutiny to Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s administration and his work as a labor leader before taking office in 2014, according to people familiar with the inquiry.
At issue in the investigation is whether labor officials threatened developers and business people who hired nonunion workers on their projects. Walsh, though apparently not an early focus of the probe, became drawn into it through wiretaps on which he was recorded in 2012, saying he had told a development company it would face permitting problems on a planned Boston high-rise unless it used union labor at another project in Somerville, according to people familiar with the tapes.
Well that’s a big story and you knew right off it would be in the Herald today and sure enough it gets a two-page spread.
Nothing unusual there. But what does stand out are the two times the Globe is credited with breaking the story, first in Hillary Chabot’s piece:
Walsh yesterday shook off suggestions that a federal inquiry into labor strong-arming has any connection to his work as mayor. The Boston Globe reported that Walsh as the head of Boston Building Trades Council was heard on a wiretap in 2012 saying he had warned a developer to get union workers on a Somerville project or risk losing Boston permits.
Then a second time in this piece by Jack Encarnacao and Laurel Sweet:
The wiretapped statement was captured during a conversation between Walsh, then-head of the Boston Building and Construction Trades Council, and Laborers Local 22 leader Anthony Perrone, the Boston Globe reported yesterday citing unnamed sources.
Good for you, Heraldniks!
And, hey, you Morrissey Boulevardiers: Take a lesson, wouldja?
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Anthony Perrone, Boston Building and Construction Trades Council, Boston Building Trades Council, Boston Conservation Commission, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Evan Allen, firsty local tabloid, Grand Prix of Boston, Hillary Chabot, Jack Encarnacao, Joe Battenfeld, Jon Chesto, Laborers Local 22, lately local broadsheet, Laurel Sweet, Martin J. Wiretap, Marty Walsh, Morrissey Boulevardiers | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 25, 2016
As you splendid readers might recall, Boston University announced several months ago that it is selling a group of Kenmore Square buildings atop of which sits the Citgo sign.
From BU Today:
BU May Sell Kenmore Square Properties
Deal includes building with iconic Citgo sign
As part of a four-decade-long effort to upgrade Kenmore Square, Boston University has hired a broker to manage the sale of several high-profile buildings it owns in the square, including the one that houses Barnes & Noble at BU and supports the iconic Citgo sign, which has loomed over the square since 1965.
Gary Nicksa, senior vice president for operations, says the University will work with Newmark Grubb Night Frank, known as Newmark, to sell the properties, which include 334,000 square feet of commercial space, now occupied by Barnes & Noble, Bertucci’s restaurant, Cornwall’s Pub, and several other tenants. The nine buildings that will be put on the market line the north side of Kenmore Square, from 648 Beacon Street to 541 Commonwealth Avenue and 11-19 Deerfield Street.
That, of course, went over like the metric system, leading to plaintive articles such as this Business section piece last month in the Boston Globe.
Five Things You Should Know About the Citgo Sign
The fate of the Citgo sign is once again the talk of the town. From its perch high above Kenmore Square, the illuminated sign has been an integral part of Boston’s skyline for decades, but now faces an uncertain future as 
Boston University tries to sell the building below it. What will happen when the property at 660 Beacon St. changes hands and a new landlord takes over? That remains to be seen. For now, the Citgo sign still shines brightly.
Here are five things you may not know about this familiar landmark.
1 It has a long history. The roots of the sign go back to 1940, when the Cities Service Co. opened a divisional office at 660 Beacon St. and installed a huge neon sign on the roof of the building . . .
And etc.
Now the Citgo sign is back in the Globe, but in advertising form on page A3 of yesterday’s edition.
Close-up view:
The ads come from Boston’s Sign (not to be confused with Boston Sign, whose website does not include the Citgo sign). The ad does steer readers to #CITGOsign, which features tweets like these from WCVB’s Maria Stephanos and others.
But . . .
The hardsearching staff has so far been unable to determine who’s behind the Globe ads. We’ll make some phone calls today and keep you posted.
1 Comment | Uncategorized | Tagged: #CITGOsign, Barnes & Noble at BU, Bertucci's, Boston Globe, Boston Sign, Boston University, Boston's Sign, BU, Citgo sign, Cities Service Co., Cornwall's Pub, Gary Nicksa, Kenmore Square, Maria Stephanos, Newmark, Newmark Grubb Night Frank, WCVB | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 24, 2016
From our No Credit Where Credit’s Due desk
Once again the Boston Globe has slipstreamed the Boston Herald’s coverage of the sputtering Grand Prix of Boston, which hopes to take place this Labor Day weekend.
Joe Battenfeld’s Friday Herald piece:
Race Hits Roadblock
In another potentially serious setback to the Boston Grand Prix, a little-known city commission has blocked IndyCar race promoters from building parts of the course because of new climate change rules that require them to get a wetlands permit.
The 4-1 vote by the city’s Conservation Commission is the latest unexpected roadblock to the race, which has faced tough scrutiny from residents and a monthslong review from the city and state that put the Labor Day event in jeopardy.
Evan Allen and Jon Chesto’s Saturday Globe piece:
Conservation panel says Grand Prix needs more permits
Mayor Martin J. Walsh said Friday that he is optimistic IndyCar race organizers would be able to hold their event in South Boston in September, despite new environmental concerns raised by the Boston Conservation Commission.
“I’m hoping to see it here Labor Day weekend,” Walsh told reporters at a morning event. “I think there’s a process now they can follow, and I think they have to follow that process and make their case.”
In a 4-to-1 vote this week, the commission, which has responsibility for protecting wetlands in the city, concluded that the route planned for the race travels through a 100-year flood zone, and that organizers had to apply for permits that consider the potential environmental impact of any construction.
Nowhere does the Globe piece acknowledge that the Herald drove there first.
And this isn’t the only time the lately local broadsheet has drafted off the firsty local tabloid.
C’mon, Globeniks: Be a mensch, eh?
1 Comment | Uncategorized | Tagged: Boston Conservation Commission, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Evan Allen, firsty local tabloid, Grand Prix of Boston, Joe Battenfeld, Jon Chesto, lately local broadsheet, Marty Walsh | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 18, 2016
And CWA = Communications Wankers of America.
At least that’s how it looks in the local dailies. For the past week Verizon has been running this one-two punch of full-page ads in the Boston Globe (but, of course, not the Herald).
Actually, there’s plenty to strike about according to two labor unions involved (and this Verizon worker – the Dickensian-named Jazmin Sypher – in a Guardian op-ed) but you’d never know it from the Communications Workers of America or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Hey, nudniks: At least run a couple of ads in the Boston Herald, eh? Those are your peeps at the thirsty local tabloid.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Communications Wankers of America, Communications Workers of America, CWA, Dickensian-named, IBEW, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Invisible Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Jazmin Sypher, The Guardian, Verizon strike | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 15, 2016
As the hardreading staff has previously noted, telecom giant Verizon has been wallpapering the Boston Globe (but not the Boston Herald) with this full-page ad questioning why union workers are striking over cuts in healthcare and pension benefits.
Yesterday, Verizon doubled down with two ads in the $tately local broadsheet: The one above, and this one.
And the response from the striking Communications Workers of America/International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers?
Nada.
Same today: Verizon two ads, workers none.
Dumb.
1 Comment | Uncategorized | Tagged: $tately local broadsheet, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Communications Workers of America, CWA, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Reuters, strike, Verizon, Verizon Communications Inc. | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 14, 2016
Ever since the Margaret McKenna/George Regan rumpus at Suffolk University began several months ago, the Boston Herald – especially columnist Joe Battenfeld – has been out front on virtually every development in the serial dustup. But today’s Boston Globe beats the firsty local tabloid – twice – on the latest mishegoss at Day Hop U.
Start off with this Metro Page One report from Laura Krantz.
Suffolk beset by renewed tension
Storms swirl on accreditation, board of trustees, McKenna
Two months after Suffolk University trustees and president Margaret McKenna reached a truce that seemed to smooth their splintered relationship, a cloud of discord is still looming over the downtown college.
A series of recent events raises new questions about the future of the besieged school, and about how long McKenna will lead it.
The college’s board of trustees has hired two attorneys to address personal and professional allegations against McKenna by public relations executive George Regan, who has threatened to sue Suffolk after it canceled his firm’s contract.
In addition, the school faces renewed scrutiny from accreditors, and professors say morale has plummeted.
In other words, it’s a mess.
But Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham does her best to stick a smiley face on “the besieged school.”
A plea from Suffolk
You’ve been admitted to Suffolk University, in the heart of beautiful downtown Boston. You’re going to love it here, should you choose to join the class of 2020. And we sure hope you do, since we need your tuition payments to keep us alive.
We have super courses in psychology, political science, marketing, and law, to name a few. There are three libraries and a campus in Madrid. And sparkling new buildings, all steps from the famous Frog Pond.
Please, choose us! And please, pay no mind to the grown-ups acting like vindictive children here on Tremont Street. They just run the place. Nothing to worry about.
It just gets snarkier from there, especially about George Regan.
Oh, and here Regan is . . . this week in Commonwealth Magazine, pictured with his adorable dog, making the spurious claim that the board didn’t really want to hire McKenna, saying “that woman” — don’t worry, female freshmen, we’re so enlightened — “has no right being the leader.”
Ouch.
Crosstown at the Herald, meanwhile, all’s quiet on the Suffolk front today. We’re assuming that changes tomorrow.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Andrew Meyer, board of trustees, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CommonWealth Magazine, Day Hop U, firsty local tabloid, George Regan, Jim Morris, Joe Battenfeld, John McDonnell, Laura Krantz, Margaret McKenna, Rasky Baerlein, Regan Communications Group, Regan-omics, Suffolk University, Yvonne Abraham | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 13, 2016
As the hardreading staff noted several days ago, the Boston Globe broke the story of Alan (Claus von Bugle) Dershowitz’s settlement of allegations that he had sex with a minor.
Sex allegations against Dershowitz called mistake
Two plaintiffs’ lawyers admitted Friday that they made “a mistake” when they accused famed attorney Alan 
Dershowitz of having sex with their client when she was a minor.
The admission came in a joint statement released by the lawyers, Paul G. Cassell and Bradley J. Edwards, and Dershowitz to settle defamation suits the two sides filed against one another in state court in Florida.
“Edwards and Cassell acknowledge that it was a mistake to have filed sexual misconduct accusations against Dershowitz,” the statement said. “[A]nd the sexual misconduct accusations made in all public filings … are hereby withdrawn. Dershowitz also withdraws his accusations that Edwards and Cassell acted unethically.”
Now comes yesterday’s New York Times piece about the same.
Dershowitz and Two Other Lawyers Settle Legal Fight
The noted defense lawyer Alan M. Dershowitz and two lawyers who had sued him claiming defamation have dropped court actions against each side, ending a prominent dispute that included accusations of sexual misconduct against Mr. Dershowitz.
The settlement, announced on Friday, included a financial arrangement. But a lawyer involved in the case would not say who had paid.
And the Times piece would not say who had the story first.
Hey, Timesniks: We know you got shortchanged when you sold the Globe. But bad form to short them back.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Alan Dershowitz, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Bradley J. Edwards, Claus von Bugle, Judge Judy, New York Times, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Paul G. Cassell, Sarah Palin, Star Bucks Barrister, Timesniks | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 11, 2016
As the hardreading staff has noted, the Boston Herald has been alarmingly lax lately about holding its crosstown rival to task, both regarding the Boston Globe’s recent home delivery meltdown and last week’s Let’s remake the paper! We can use John Henry’s garage! memo from editor Brian McGrory.
But the feisty local tabloid is back on the job today, spurred on by yesterday’s front-page faux pas in the Globe’s Ideas section.
To (half)wit:
Well today’s Herald is on that like Brown on Williamson, giving it classic jump-the-gutter treatment (Inexplicable Little Green Number sold separately).
We’ll leave it to you splendid readers to decide whether you want to sample the goods: there’s a media reax piece and a thumbsucker from Jack Encarnacao, while Howie Carr mails in another shopworn litany of Globe mortal sins.
At least we know they’re awake on Fargo Street. Finally.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Brian McGrory, FDonald Trump, front page, home delivery meltdown, Howie Carr, Ideas, Jack Encarnacao | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
April 10, 2016
Well tomorrow is the Red Sox home opener and, say, there’s rejoicing throughout the land – including in today’s Boston Globe Sports section, which features this full-page ad.
You know what comes next: The ad did not run in today’s Boston Herald, sports section or otherwise.
Well, you might say, that’s because the flimsy local tabloid has managed the improbable feat of having a circulation that’s smaller on Sunday than on weekdays. The Herald claims 96,403 daily and 75,405 Sunday circulation, but here’s what the Herald published last fall:
Note the Total Paid Distribution: 60,212. And that was on a Friday.
So let’s use the Herald’s own ratio and estimate Sunday circulation around 50,000. That should make a Sunday ad in the Herald less expensive, not less likely.
But apparently NESN has all the viewers it needs.
So nothing for the thirsty local tabloid.
That’s just sad, with a capital A-D.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Boston Red Sox, flimsy local tabloid, Home Opener, NESN, Sunday circulation, thirsty local tabloid, weekday circulation | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider
It's Good to Live in a Two-Daily Town 