Advertisers leave the 'Village Voice' over scandal

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An important story that I wanted to bring -- next Karen post is joining us she is all about branding she's an author too.

And this is a story that involves the village voice and out -- Karen I wanted to ask you if you could to lay out for folks and welcome thank you for joining us.

Exactly what village voice media is being accused of being involved it.

Well you know there is the her -- industry.

Child slavery and trafficking and the -- the kids that are paying the heat on.

The village voice media is alleging that their back page dot com.

Is actually been -- -- this industry.

The village voice has their side of the story except the village voice isn't really.

-- -- much voice they need to find their voice if in fact they've got a story and until they do that they are going to continue to be.

Hammered by a very orchestrated -- that includes celebrities.

And faith leaders.

And the media and now petition that's being signed by.

I think over 200000 people yet -- major advertisers are pulling out -- advertising from.

The voice over this issue but what is it specifically.

That the boys did.

That you believed encouraged child trafficking.

Well the the allegations stem from the fact that to be the ads that they run.

Are tied into escort type services but that children are part that industry.

And the people that want the site to come down believed that by keeping this page up that there fueling the end of straight.

From my understanding the village voice says that they're actually helping law enforcement.

Catch the bad guys and by having the in his tool available.

That they're able to solve the problem but they're really not taking that story to the public and they're looking like.

A very quiet speechless.

Devil -- red and so.

And lest they want to continue to lose advertisers.

And even consumers' are gonna start.

Feeling uncomfortable about the publication and they need to raise the volume on their story if in fact they've got the the facts behind their story.

Do you think they'll be able to do that do you think they should -- that page is it any different than what Craig's list does or other -- sites where.

They offer escort services.

Well -- one quite some list sat down a couple of years ago the belief was that all this business that went over to the village voice.

Did the village voice is trying to fight this battle with data and -- -- -- and they're attacking other media sources saying that.

They've not done a good job with the facts that this is an emotional issues said the village voice is not going to win this bad off.

If they try to -- data and statistics.

Those are logical.

Strategies and this is a very heated emotional issue so they need leadership to step up if in fact.

They've got the facts behind their story and they need to bring their story that people otherwise they're going -- continue to get hammered and their brand is going to be continue to be -- -- very bad form.

And it sure have been around for a long time it's in various -- brand your branding.

He drives you call yourself this is your expertise.

How much money have they lost so far how big an issue has -- -- for them and if it has been financially draining why haven't they changed course.

Well you know I don't know the numbers of the -- from the 28 advertisers that have dropped I have heard that the ads that they're running generates over 22 million dollars a year.

In revenues.

So I'm sure that there looking at the Mac but when big major advertisers start dropping.

Like flies.

You know that's that's a wake up call that maybe they need to revisit their business model.

And find other ways to generate those fees because.

There's nothing pretty about to.

Sex trafficking had children and and and that whole industry.

You know I think there's total agreement on that other then.

The industry -- pants you know they like their industry but consumers.

Politicians city leaders.

Nobody -- pretty.

And that industry so I think that village voice can turn Iran that they need to find their voice.

And leadership needs to show up and and they need to tell their story.

Or otherwise.

I think -- -- troubled.

One report and I have not been able to independently confirm this but I think it's worth mentioning the types of advertisers that you're talking about that have pulled their ads from the village voice.

American Airlines eighteen team Barnes & Noble best buy a Carnegie Hall may seize.

These are not small spender that's when it comes to -- their eyes and.

They're big and the village voice plays an important -- in journalism and local communities I think there and over seventeen markets.

And they do a lot of great things and provide information that consumers need but unless they can navigate and manage through this shake up that there and you know I think they're gonna have rough seas ahead -- I believe it yet they've got a story they need to raise the volume down and and have a present and and leadership.

Needs to show up.

And who take their story to the market have you tried to contact them.

I have not seems like they can use your services.

I now I may be needed by my new but -- tell us about that.

The -- sub brand turnaround and it's actually about a hundred companies is similar to this situation that we're shake again.

Were on their game and how they came back so it's success stories on strategies and tactics that.

All kinds of individuals from Michael Bay Martha Stewart Ford Motor Co.

to even nonprofits and destinations.

Like the country ever -- You know.

Brands are really important and Smart business leaders.

When you have a heighten awareness of their reputation and image and not been bad things can happen.

And you can rebound that you can't rebound by saying.

No common man and hiding in a corner if you've got a story.

You've got to take it to the marketplace and you can get back on your game.

Karen post so nice to me -- thanks for bringing us this story we report folks decided.

-- -- and your expertise is interesting I look forward to seeing the book thank you thanks.

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Advertisers leave the 'Village Voice' over scandal

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