What's an inch between friends?
The El Paso Times is taking back an inch - literally. Pick up a copy of the Times today and you'll see exactly what I mean. As a concession to the environment and the company bottom line, the newspaper is a full inch narrower starting today. The marketing folks who created the "Go Green Go Times" promotional campaign point out that a smaller paper will result in the saving of an estimated 646 trees over the next year. The change is perfectly consistent with the paper's environmentally-friendly attitude. For years, the El Paso Times has used recycled paper and recycled ink. But don't fret about content. You're getting less paper, but not less content, according to our bosses. Look at it this way: It's not the amount of space that's important, but how you use it.
Go Green Go Times
I admit I was pretty amused when I read an e-mail from a reader who obviously has a knack
for reading too much into a phrase. Here's what the reader wrote:
I'd like to thank the El Paso Times for starting my morning off with a good laugh. I opened the Times Web site and up pops the new logo for the environmentally concerned that read "Go Green Go Times" and this sounds awfully like "Go Gringo Times"!! Who's idea was this? Great sense of humor that person! -- D. Watkins, East El Paso
So how long will this fad last? I hate "Save the Earth" mentality that the whole world adopts once a year. People have good intentions but when the month is over, so are the good intentions.
Posted by: Guy Fawks | April 29, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Like to see KDBC GM Bram Watkins family members actually read the paper. Even if it is on the net.
Posted by: FormerKDBC'er | April 29, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Roy, and El Paso Times, why do you treat your readers like fools?
Do you really think we're naive enough to think that you trimming the size of the paper has anything to do with the environment---and not about saving $$$$ in newsprint costs?
I don't begrudge the paper for saving money. But don't treat us like fools.
And tying this into Earth Day---how cynical!
Posted by: Al | April 29, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Al,
You hit it right on the head!
Posted by: The Incredible Hulk | April 29, 2008 at 10:40 AM
The price of my subscription has gone up 75% in the last 20 years and it seems the size has decreased by about the same amount. I'm not exactly getting a hernia when I pick up my morning paper off the driveway. Most recently various sections have been consolidated and today there is an inch less paper. All of this means a higher cost for less content. I miss all the comics you used to have.
Oh well, one benefit to the new size is that there may no longer be enough room to print Alicia Lopez's column. One can only hope.
Posted by: Emma | April 29, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Where Did Erica Castillo go she is not in ALB at krqe is she comming back home to El Paso what about Suzanne Michaels
Posted by: Pam Miller | April 29, 2008 at 11:58 AM
The El Paso Times is one of the most expensive daily newspapers in the southwest. They charge more for a paper, and especially on Sundays than bigger papers like the Dallas Morning News,($144 p/yr vs. 180) They are even more expensive than the Albuquerque Journal($153 p/yr vs $180) and for a few dollars more you could get the Houston Chronicle, a bigger paper with way more content. Its sad a city this sice (over 700K) has this sad newspaper service.
Posted by: ep wonder | April 29, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Lopez's column reportedly will run on Saturdays now.
I too wish the Times would drop her. She's nuts.
Posted by: TJJackson | April 30, 2008 at 01:01 PM
She writes basically the same column week after week. ENOUGH!
Posted by: TV or not TV | April 30, 2008 at 01:28 PM
"You're getting less paper, but not less content, according to our bosses."
I'd like for your bosses to explain how this could be possible. Are you using a smaller font? Somehow, I doubt it.
Posted by: Angry Johnny | May 01, 2008 at 01:27 AM
"It's not the amount of space that's important, but how you use it."
Hmm.... I can only wonder if the Times will jack up ad rates now because there will be one inch less paper. You know how many small classifieds can fit in an inch?!?
Posted by: Change is Coming | May 01, 2008 at 05:06 PM
FOLD!
Posted by: woodstein | May 01, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Rising cost of printing newspaper + low ad sales + declining subscriptions = Go Green public relations campaign
Great job, Times management.
I'm only upset because that's less paper to line my bird's cage with!!
Posted by: No seas mamoon | May 10, 2008 at 11:49 PM