sharon@asylum.SF.CA.US (Sharon Fisher) (07/03/90)
If you're exhibiting at MacWorld Expo in Boston, you may find that you'll get less press coverage than you might normally expect. Why? Because Mitch Hall Associates, the sponsors of the convention, have decided that *no* freelancers can obtain press credentials. Instead, each magazine gets a limited number of press passes, which it must distribute to its staffers and contractors. Press who attend the show without such a press pass in hand must be prepared to pay admission. Now, *many* computer magazines make heavy use of freelancers and stringers, especially small magazines located in different geographic areas than a show. Consequently, there's likely to be less MacWorld coverage than in recent years. Mitch Hall says this must be done because of abuses. While even press people agree that press registrations has been abused, this doesn't seem like the right way to solve the problem. Anyway, if this bothers you, you might want to contact the organization and register your displeasure.
bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (Bob Sherman) (07/04/90)
In <12233@asylum.SF.CA.US> sharon@asylum.SF.CA.US (Sharon Fisher) writes: >If you're exhibiting at MacWorld Expo in Boston, you may find that you'll >get less press coverage than you might normally expect. Why? Because >Mitch Hall Associates, the sponsors of the convention, have decided that >*no* freelancers can obtain press credentials. Instead, each magazine gets >a limited number of press passes, which it must distribute to its staffers >and contractors. Press who attend the show without such a press pass in >hand must be prepared to pay admission. >Now, *many* computer magazines make heavy use of freelancers and stringers, >especially small magazines located in different geographic areas than a >show. Consequently, there's likely to be less MacWorld coverage than in >recent years. Excuse Me!! Are you saying the price of an admission ticket would stop a stringer or freelancer on a legit assignment from entering the show??? Legit publications provide those on a true assignment with an expense account, so they purchase the ticket, and get it paid back on their expense voucher.. As a matter of fact, a good number of legit media organizations no longer accecpt "freebies". They insist on paying, that way they owe no favors.. For example, the Associated Press accepts NO freebies.. In fact, many of the legit media accept no free software or hardware (for review or otherwise). They insist that it be returned to the sender after the review is finished.. The reviewer is NOT allowed to keep it, however they may purchase it at regular market value if they desire.. Hopefully, those vendors that do not know of such policy will read this and stop let themself get "shaken down" for freebies by those media folks that have less than high morals. Trade shows seem to draw more than their share of phony media types that goe mainly to fill up their bags with freebies. On top of that, many even have the nerve to use the pressroom, regardless if it makes a legit reporter wait for access to the computers, phones etc. In the "real world" freelancers without legit assignments (and proof of them) do not even get credentials.. What would the sidelines at an NFL game look like if every freelancer and stringer that wanted free sideline passes got them?? It does not work that way.. The media organizations get the tickets, and THEY give them to those that are covering the event, and even then, the number are very limited.. There is nothing wrong with a publication across the country getting the tickets, and sending them to the staffer, stringer or freelancer of their choice to cover MacExpo, and it should not hinder "real" coverage of the event.. Remember, a freelancer on assignment is a contractor, and you did say the tickets were for freelancers and contractors.. Bravo to the show promoters for taking a major step in eliminating the abuses that abound in the usage of "press credentials". -- bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu | bsherman@pro-exchange | MCI MAIL:BSHERMAN
sharon@asylum.SF.CA.US (Sharon Fisher) (07/05/90)
In article <1990Jul4.060616.19026@mthvax.cs.miami.edu> bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (Bob Sherman) writes: >Excuse Me!! Are you saying the price of an admission ticket would stop >a stringer or freelancer on a legit assignment from entering the show??? Well, first of all, most shows I know of cost several hundred dollars to attend. It isn't easy to recoup this from an assignment, and a magazine is likely to skip coverage rather than pay the cost itself. Moreover, if you don't have a "press pass," but only a standard show badge, you're forbidden from areas such as the press room with its equipment, the press kit room with its materials for the press, press conferences, etc. >Legit publications provide those on a true assignment with an expense >account, so they purchase the ticket, and get it paid back on their >expense voucher.. Well, I've been in this business for several years, and I've never had a magazine do this. I go in and register as press, showing credentials such as a bylined article, my name in the masthead, or an assignment letter from an editor. If a magazine has to pay several hundred dollars to cover a show, it will most likely skip it. >In fact, many of the legit media accept no free software or >hardware (for review or otherwise). They insist that it be returned to >the sender after the review is finished.. The reviewer is NOT allowed >to keep it, however they may purchase it at regular market value if they >desire.. Oh, agreed. This has been the policy for every magazine I've worked on. But I'm not talking about equipment here, but shows. >Hopefully, those vendors that do not know of such policy will >read this and stop let themself get "shaken down" for freebies by those >media folks that have less than high morals. Believe it or not, I don't attend shows just so I can get more mugs and T-shirts with vendor logos. This is my job. >Trade shows seem to draw >more than their share of phony media types that goe mainly to fill up >their bags with freebies. On top of that, many even have the nerve to >use the pressroom, regardless if it makes a legit reporter wait for >access to the computers, phones etc. Agreed. But *no* freelancers are being allowed press passes into the show, including legitimate ones. Must we throw the baby out with the bath water to keep out the interlopers? >In the "real world" freelancers without legit assignments (and proof of >them) do not even get credentials.. Agreed. I'm not saying people without assignments or legitimate needs should be able to get press passes into shows. But each magazine will only get a limited number of press passes into the show, and must have its act together to get these passes to the freelancers in question -- that is, if they have enough. Some magazines have trouble in this regard. >What would the sidelines at an NFL game look like if every freelancer >and stringer that wanted free sideline passes got them?? It does not >work that way.. It's not quite the same thing, is it? MacWorld Expo is not exactly an entertainment event. It's something that vendors pay thousands of dollars to attend and exhibit, and at least part of the reason they're there is to make contact with the press at a central location. >The media organizations get the tickets, and THEY give >them to those that are covering the event, and even then, the number are >very limited.. There is nothing wrong with a publication across the >country getting the tickets, and sending them to the staffer, stringer >or freelancer of their choice to cover MacExpo, and it should not hinder >"real" coverage of the event.. From your mouth to God's ear...well, we'll see...
nolan@tssi.UUCP (Michael Nolan) (07/08/90)
I recently covered two trade shows (USENIX and a small OSI show) as part of
an assignment for two publications I write for occasionally. I DID get
press credentials at no charge. Since I get, at best, $0.10 per word,
it would take a pretty damn long article to recoup the cost of USENIX,
and I also have never heard of a publisher paying the fee! (They gripe
about mileage and tolls, I'd hate to imagine what they'd think about several
hundred dollars in admission fees.)
Yeah, sure, Unix Today can afford it, but there are a lot of publications out
there on small budgets (meaning they're cheap). As to the super bowl analogy,
it doesn't hold water (few super bowls would), and I'll bet you Sports
Illustrated doesn't have to pay to get their writers (even the stringers)
and photographers admitted!
I agree that LEGITIMATE press credentials are a good idea, and that it's
probably been somewhat abused in the computer trade press. I'd have no
problem submitting an assignment notice from my editors if that's what
MACEXPO wants. I do about six trade shows a year, and manage to write
stories from about half of them. I pay my own bills at the major trade
show for my hardware manufacturer's user groups, so I'm NOT freeloading.
Nothing will kill off a continuing trade show like bad publicity, and if
MACEXPO is being extremely firm about their press credentials, that's
probably what they'll get!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Nolan "I don't know what apathy is,
Tailored Software Services, Inc. and I don't want to find out!"
Lincoln, Nebraska (402) 423-1490
UUCP: tssi!nolan should work,
if not try something like uunet!frith!upba!tssi!nolan pv9y@vax5.cit.cornell.edu (07/08/90)
I must admit that I tend to side with Sharon on the issue of press
access to Macworld Expo. I'm not interested in getting in for free so
much as getting access to press materials and things like that for
TidBITS. I do alright at finding information for each week's issue,
but I have a feeling that I'm doing a lot of work digging for stuff
that just appears for the magazines in many cases.
It would be nice to have press status at Macworld, but somehow I doubt
that saying you write a weekly electronic journal distributed
worldwide over networks that many people have never heard of will help
much. Ah well, I'll probably find gobs of good information on the main
floor without any special press status.
Adam
--
Adam C. Engst pv9y@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"I ain't worried and I ain't scurried and I'm having a good time"
-Paul Simon bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (Bob Sherman) (07/09/90)
In <1715@tssi.UUCP> nolan@tssi.UUCP (Michael Nolan) writes: [stuff deleted] >I agree that LEGITIMATE press credentials are a good idea, and that it's >probably been somewhat abused in the computer trade press. I'd have no >problem submitting an assignment notice from my editors if that's what >MACEXPO wants. I do about six trade shows a year, and manage to write >stories from about half of them. I pay my own bills at the major trade >show for my hardware manufacturer's user groups, so I'm NOT freeloading. And what fault do you find with the policy of the magazine getting the credentials and sending them to you instead of sending you an assignment notice that you have to present to get the credentials..??? The end result is the same (ie: if you are assigned, you get credentials) but it certainly helps hold down the abuses. >Nothing will kill off a continuing trade show like bad publicity, and if >MACEXPO is being extremely firm about their press credentials, that's >probably what they'll get! Why should a professional policy on media ticket distribution cause them bad publicity. Nowhere did the original message say they would not give credentials to the trade publications. It only indicated that they would not provide them direct to freelancers or stringers, however the publications sure can distribute them to whomever they wish to have attend the show on their behalf. I guess the bottom line with the MacWorld policy is: If your legit, you will get in with a press pass just as you have in the past, and if your not legit, you will not get in with a press pass as you may have in the past... And as a professional working member of the fourth estate I appreciate any efforts made to weed out the "phonies" that have been around much too long.. -- bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu | bsherman@pro-exchange | MCI MAIL:BSHERMAN
taylor@limbo.Intuitive.Com (Dave Taylor) (07/09/90)
Bob Sherman adds fuel to the fire with: > I guess the bottom line with the MacWorld policy is: If your [sic] legit, > you will get in with a press pass just as you have in the past, and if > your [sic] not legit, you will not get in with a press pass as you may > have in the past... On the other hand, there are only so many hours in a day and as a member of the press, being able to zip into a show for a few hours is a nice way to not only meet with vendors you already know, but to learn about new products and planned products from other vendors. Is this "press coverage" per se? Not really; I'm not going to write up a piece on the conference, yet the vendors who might find an interested and sympathetic audience with specific members of the press would certainly think so! Remember: their whole reason for spending the money to show up at an exhibit like MacWorld Expo is to be able to make customers and garner press space (both of which are, of course, tricky tasks). Relevance? Well, as Macintosh Editor for "Computer Language" Magazine (an international publication of Miller-Freeman I was pretty surprised to receive a letter from the Expo people telling me that there wasn't going to be a press pass for me *and* that I couldn't appeal *or* apply for a press pass at the show itself. Fortunately, I'm not planning on going to the Boston MacWorld Expo this time, but if I were, I assure you that I would be quite likely to have called up a few important vendors that are concerned with their favorable coverage in magazines like Computer Language and suggest they talk to the Expo personnel about the policy. In a nutshell, it's quite counterproductive since vendors are paying to attend the Expo to *attract attention* and weeding out pseudo-press or "press from other than listed magazines" isn't helping that goal. I've been to conferences where the relevance of particular press personnel has been curious and minimal at best (like Digital News at an HP press luncheon, or PC Week at an Apple conference) but they were there and they were learning! I mean, if the whole goal of this 'tougher selection criteria' bit is to cut down on the misuse of telephones, computer equipment, and so on, then I suggest that not only not fixed the problem, but added a bigger one along the way too. And charges of equipment misuse are difficult to believe; when I have been in the MacWorld press room, it's always been pretty vacant. Even at the Consumer Electronics Show (a show that is many many times larger [and more fun!] than MacWorld) the press room was never full of people, and there was always a free phone and PC to use... Would I pay to get in to a show like MacWorld? No. The vendors have already, theoretically, paid for members of the press to be able to attend as part of their conference fees (not to mention the cost of printing up their press announcements too; and they're certainly not typically given out to regular attendees). Further, it's just not worth the hassle of billing the magazine for entry fees -- and worse, if it's cheap, then why the hell should they hassle the press about getting in? And if they're expensive, then why should we pay? Next MacWorld, well, I might not be in too much of a rush to attend. After all, I can get into Comdex ... -- Dave Taylor Intuitive Systems Mountain View, California taylor@limbo.intuitive.com or {uunet!}{decwrl,apple}!limbo!taylor
sharon@asylum.SF.CA.US (Sharon Fisher) (07/09/90)
In article <1990Jul9.005454.333@mthvax.cs.miami.edu> bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (Bob Sherman) writes: >In <1715@tssi.UUCP> nolan@tssi.UUCP (Michael Nolan) writes: >>I agree that LEGITIMATE press credentials are a good idea, and that it's >>probably been somewhat abused in the computer trade press. I'd have no >>problem submitting an assignment notice from my editors if that's what >>MACEXPO wants. I do about six trade shows a year, and manage to write >>stories from about half of them. I pay my own bills at the major trade >>show for my hardware manufacturer's user groups, so I'm NOT freeloading. > >And what fault do you find with the policy of the magazine getting >the credentials and sending them to you instead of sending you an >assignment notice that you have to present to get the credentials..??? Time. Magazines are extraordinarily busy, disorganized places. It's easy for somebody to fax me a letter at the last minute. It's not so easy if the magazine has to know they're going to hire me in time to request the badges and get them to me. >The end result is the same (ie: if you are assigned, you get credentials) >but it certainly helps hold down the abuses. > >>Nothing will kill off a continuing trade show like bad publicity, and if >>MACEXPO is being extremely firm about their press credentials, that's >>probably what they'll get! > >Why should a professional policy on media ticket distribution cause them >bad publicity. Nowhere did the original message say they would not give >credentials to the trade publications. It only indicated that they >would not provide them direct to freelancers or stringers, however the >publications sure can distribute them to whomever they wish to have >attend the show on their behalf. This is not clear. *No* magazine has received passes yet, and I saw a posting by someone from Computer Shopper that they were told they couldn't get passes -- they would be limited to Mac magazines. I haven't had this confirmed. Also, nobody seems to know how many passes magazines will be allowed to have.
kaufman@Neon.Stanford.EDU (Marc T. Kaufman) (07/09/90)
In article <965@limbo.Intuitive.Com> taylor@limbo.Intuitive.Com (Dave Taylor) writes: >Bob Sherman adds fuel to the fire with: -> I guess the bottom line with the MacWorld policy is: If your [sic] legit, -> you will get in with a press pass just as you have in the past, and if -> your [sic] not legit, you will not get in with a press pass as you may -> have in the past... >Would I pay to get in to a show like MacWorld? No. The vendors have >already, theoretically, paid for members of the press to be able to >attend as part of their conference fees (not to mention the cost of >printing up their press announcements too; and they're certainly >not typically given out to regular attendees)... It looks like another show will die due to greed on the part of the organizer. I depend on press coverage for information on shows like MacWorld (or free passes from participants), because I have a firm policy: *I DON'T PAY MONEY TO HAVE PEOPLE SELL ME THINGS*. Having to PAY to get into a show at which people are trying to SELL ME things has always bothered me. That's not to say I don't do it, sometimes. But it sure makes me less willing to buy. (PT Barnum keeps comming to mind).
cca@newton.physics.purdue.edu (Charles C. Allen) (07/12/90)
As it stands, the normal attendees end up paying for the press passes. Why not do away with *all* press passes and let the publishers who want coverage pay for it, passing the cost along to their subscribers? Charles Allen Internet: cca@newton.physics.purdue.edu Department of Physics HEPnet: purdnu::allen, fnal::cca Purdue University talknet: 317/494-9776 West Lafayette, IN 47907
sharon@asylum.SF.CA.US (Sharon Fisher) (07/12/90)
In article <3895@newton.physics.purdue.edu> cca@newton.physics.purdue.edu (Charles C. Allen) writes: >As it stands, the normal attendees end up paying for the press passes. >Why not do away with *all* press passes and let the publishers who >want coverage pay for it, passing the cost along to their subscribers? It's not the money. The cost of admittance is not that big a deal, compared with the costs of travel, hotel, etc. It's the access. Without a press pass, you can't do Press Things, like go to press conferences, visit press kit rooms, work in the press room, etc.