Desperate Kansas City Star Offers Subscribers Direct Line To Journalists

In a heartfelt plea directed at last the remaining subscribers of the Kansas City Star, we notice that a local news honcho is so confident about the future of a fading institution that he didn't even bother changing out of his pajamas. 

Check-it . . . 

Mike Fannin, president and editor of The Kansas City Star, talks about the expanded news coverage coming to The Star and KansasCity.com.

Read more here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article253483829.html#storylink=cpy

We've heard most of these promises before . . . More newsies, more pages and more content hasn't sparked greater interest in the perspective of this town's last remaining almost daily newspaper. 

But here's what REALLY stands out . . . 

The Kansas City Star honcho promises that newspaper staff will answer questions from subscribers . . . KIND OF LIKE AN INTERNETS SEARCH ENGINE!!! But for nearly $1,000 bucks a year.

Here's the pitch . . .

"We're also creating a service oriented team of journalists who will help readers navigate daily life in Kansas City. They'll respond to your questions and provide information that is both accessible and actionable." 

TKC hot take . . . 

I'm sure there's a market for this pricey service but asking Google, Siri or Alexa a dumb question for pennies on the dollar is more satisfying than paying for this sketchy "dial-a-journalist" scheme.

Also, I think Mr. Fannin might be mistaking newsies for call-center operators . . . On the bright side, farming newsie work out to India might be a worthwhile cost-saving measure. 

But I digress . . .

I'm sure the promises are appreciated but the Kansas City Star simply isn't as relevant as its glory days and the personal touch is unlikely to resonate in an era of social distance when most people would rather interact with their phone and watch a myriad of half-baked gossip from frenemies on their phone. 

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link for the pitch behind the paywall . . .

A reimagined Kansas City Star: More pages, more journalists and more ways to read

Readers tell me sometimes that we need to publish more good news in The Kansas City Star. Today, I have some to share. The Star is making new investments to dramatically expand our coverage and our newsroom staff.

UPDATE . . . I was actually thinking that this new plan sounds a lot like a classic online comedy skit series . . . 

"If Google Was A Guy" 

Take a look . . .

You decide . . .