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Two things happened in this week's ink...
First, you used a green logo! You probably did it to match the green in the background of the photo. I like to think that my constant nagging has started to do the trick. Just go with it. Let me believe...
The second thing that happened was...well, how do I say this? You confused me again. I'll just say that. What the hell is up with this week's ink?! Who are you and what are you trying to accomplish?
Cover story: Why is this the cover story?! I get it. She has an interesting job. It's great for a feature with fun zoo pics inside of the magazine. But to put the hideous picture of that turtle on the cover so close up... what are you thinking? This is the biggest weekend of the summer. It's Fourth of July people! Why do I care about a zookeeper? Would I read it if she was a one or two page feature on the inside? Heck yeah. She has a cool job. But to put that on the cover... I take last week's comment back. Good luck getting this one picked up.
Let's talk about the inside...
Awesome house ad on the inside front cover. Make that color and put it on the cover. People might actually know what ink is if you do that. I like Laurie's editor's note. I live downtown and get pissed when I have to drag all of my recyclables halfway across Missouri too. I'm also a fan of the cheap beer article. I agree wholeheartedly with it all. MMMMM Old Style. I LOVE how the drink special list isn't 90% in Lawrence. It's about time... Cherryh's double page spread about the 4th is great, but I wish this was more dominant throughout the magazine. Is that it? A page? Maybe a testimonial or 2 from random frinks about what they are doing this weekend? Or their favorite 4th of July activity? Also, I wish I would have been at Woodside last week. How hot are those ladies in that ad? I probably would have been attacked by ink staffers though, so probably a good thing I didn't go.
Now for the constructive criticism:
Every week, I want to pick up ink to USE it. I don't want to just read it. I want to see what people are doing this weekend. I want to hear from people in my age group about what they are doing. I want to read some intelligent movie critiques about the movies that are coming out soon. I really am upset about this cover story. What makes you think people are going to pick this up? You did your advertisers a disservice this week. The lack of 4th of July coverage was disappointing. The Mass St article... Ok? I mean, good to know I guess, but I wish Sarah Benson would leave Lawrence out of the magazine for at least one week. Every week, we hear about how great it is. I love Lawrence. I'm clearly a Jayhawk. But most of your readers aren't in Lawrence. Go to Olathe or something and find something cool.
I have a problem with these "lists." What does this do for me? I would suggest ditching the lists, and maybe replacing them with something a little more compelling, like stopping a young person on the plaza, asking them what their favorite place to buy clothes in kc is or why they love their job, taking their picture, and putting that in ink. I hate the lists. What's the point? And Monica Watrous, we get it. You want to see the guy from Wanted naked.
One more thing, and I'll shut up (I know you are all waiting for me to). The last inside page of a magazine is always my most favorite to read. It has a compelling editorial piece or an interesting tidbit to leave me with til next week. Why a house ad? And why is it across from another house ad? I would really like to see a "next week in ink" page or half page on the last page. It would make me, and thousands of others, get excited about next week. Maybe you'd get people to look past the cover if you did that. Really though, I would love that. If you take any advice, do that.
To sum it up, I still have no idea (after 4 blogs) what ink is and what it is trying to accomplish. I would really like to hear from you. Any of you. Even an ad staffer (what's a great eugoogalizer anyway?). Enlighten us, because I just feel like it's getting worse and worse as the weeks go on, and I just want it to get better because I think KC needs this.
Until next week, have a great 4th. Don't blow your hand off or get a DWI (if you do, call Mark). I'll be anxiously awaiting my next ink in hopes that I can get on here and say "THIS WEEK'S INK ROCKED!"
Oh yeah, and Gates BBQ sauce doesn't have an apostrophe in it.