Should johnkassnews.com Place This Ad in Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times?
By John Kass
Wednesday Oct. 16, 2024
The other day I posted this old billboard photo of your favorite handsome devil-may-care columnist on social media.
Because I’m thinking about using it again in newspaper ads for johnkassnews.com as part of an upcoming subscription drive, and I wanted advice from readers.
After I left “the paper” the ad was on billboards on Chicago area expressways. It was a photo by Jeff Carlin of me during a recording of our podcast, The Chicago Way. And it asked a question of every Chicago parakeet that has been sentenced to boring, stale, preciously woke and unreadable papers:
“Miss Me?”
I put this on the social media post with the billboard photo:
“Chicago’s newspapers are hopelessly leftist, catering to the sentimental barbarians who’ll destroy what remains. So to help my former state of Illinois, I’m thinking about taking out this ad in the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times for a http://johnkassnews.com subscription drive. Subscribe today for a good cup of Midwestern common sense…Your thoughts?”
That’s direct and straight forward, no?
My wife and kids don’t like the old photo because it was a pix of the old fat me. I needed a haircut and it looked as if I’d just let the old man in. But I’ve dropped 65 pounds since then, and though I’m thinner, I don’t saunter around like a swimwear model.
I’m not a sexy beast. I’m just a columnist who misses his pasta and beer.
“You’re saving journalism in this state,” wrote Paulie C. “Keep it up!”
I will, thanks Paulie. But I plan on saving journalism safely from my home in the beautiful (and low-crime low-tax) green acres of Indiana.
“I love it!” wrote Anita Padilla TV.
“I’d rather have you here ‘unbridled and untamed!’” said Venetta Carroll.
I’m not some horse. And I’m bow-legged and pushing a dignified 70 now. But I refuse to let the old man in.
“LOVE it,” posted Laura Weber. “Would love to know what a full page costs these days!”
Me, too, Laura.
And I just might find out.
Contributors Michael Ledwith and Erin Geary loved the idea.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” wrote Geary.
But another contributor—and creator of the stupendous “Spicy Shrimp and Grits”—urged caution.
“Negotiate the cost,” said James Banakis.
Bob McCarthy responded thusly: “A patriot would give it away.”
Not this patriot.
“That would be awesome,” posted Steve P. “They need to be reminded of How STUPIDITY KILLS A ONCE GREAT NEWSPAPER.”
Jill Toussaint said the idea was “Brilliant. I don’t read either (Trib or Sun Times). Will subscribe to you NOW.”
I await your subscription payment madame. Welcome to johnkassnews.com.
It costs only $5 a month, or $50 a year (discounted)—not to mention all the cool merch for subscribers like “No Chumbolone” Zone ball caps, the Chicago Way coffee mugs, or the new Golden Moutza mugs and tee-shirts.
Remember the words of the great yet treacherous Italian philosopher Don Emilio Barzini said that I certainly may present a bill for subscriptions.
“After all, we are not Communists.”
My Facebook friend Rich 01 says “I send your columns to my friends and family, and they love them. Then I tell them to subscribe. I will keep on them because you write truth and common sense. Even my birds are complaining about the reduced size of “the paper” since your departure.”
Tom Svoboda:
“Don’t stop there we need you in the suburbs. @dailyherald.”
Thanks Tom Svoboda, but I’ve got enough work to do here. I’ve taken deep breaths of the wind of freedom, and like my girl Kamala keeps saying in her many accents, I’m not going back.
I miss them days, sir!” said Ricardo Santana. “Getting the Tribune delivered at my doorstep and reading your columns.
“Stopped reading the Tribune almost a decade ago when I let our subscription lapse,” wrote Jim Plaxco. “I just felt that it had lost its value. By coincidence, ours had been the last driveway on our street with any sort of newspaper on it in the morning. I do like your website John, but I must say that online news is incredibly competitive and it’s pretty hard to get noticed. I do wish you success.”
“I gave up on the Trib when you left it,” writes Chuck Hvala. “Nonsense spending money for the local bird cage liner. Col. McCormick is probably rolling over in his grave.”
“Do it!” says Thomas Stechmiller. “They can’t refuse you. They need the money!”
Bonnie Spurlock loves me taking out ads in the Trib and Sun Times.
“I think great marketing! An ad in Crains wouldn’t be bad either,” she said. “Their audience is mixed and may like to know about. Probably a quarter page plenty of space.
“I wouldn’t worry about money as much as placement. Make sure right-hand side maybe in Editorial section.”
From Karen Sherman Bushy:
“Doubt it is worth the money. Saw the Sunday Tribune at the store last week. What a pathetic little nothing!!! The Sunday Tribune used to be a tour de force of the first order! Why would you give them your money, after what they did to you? If the “management” would see it (assuming they look at their own paper!), they would interpret the ad as an admission that you “obviously NEED the Tribune to be a success!” I wouldn’t personally even acknowledge their continued existence, much less the idea of giving them so much as a dime.”
“I think it’s a terrific idea!” writes Christine Morley. “It’s sad what has happened to our newspapers. The Woke virus infected all of them. My Sunday mornings aren’t the same without 4 Chicago papers laying around. A Sunday tradition ruined by the woke.”
“Go for it!!!” insists Eva Economy.
“If they even allow you to buy ad space,” writes Tony Vass.
Hmm.
The papers have become so completely woke, they’ve lost their readers and are giving the papers away now.
Sports fan Danny Carlino gave me a yellow card for my marketing idea.
“Nobody reads it (Trib), and they don’t deserve the money.”
But as the old gunfighter William Munny once said, deserves got nothing to do with it.
It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.
We’ll see what happens.
-30-
About the author: John Kass spent decades as a political writer and news columnist in Chicago working at a major metropolitan newspaper. He is co-host of The Chicago Way podcast. And he just loves his “No Chumbolone” hat, because johnkassnews.com is a “No Chumbolone” Zone where you can always get a cup of common sense.
Comments 95
Don’t care what you do, just keep up the great work. Just refreshing.
I like the idea of a billboard as near to “CTU” headquarters! That would be absolutely perfect!!!! Then mayor panic attacks (Mayor Johnson for those who might not know him as well as your regular, faithful readers), would be able to see your smiling face every time he pulls in to get his orders from Boss Gates.
I agree with the billboard idea. Placing an add in the print media would limit your exposure. Don’t give the rag publishers a dime.
Just do it!
It’s probably not worth the money, moreover, do you really want to add to their bottom lines?
John, you are a treasure. This city is in desperate need of conservative (credible) media people.
Love the dog picture. How did you hire him away from the Harris campaign?
Absolutely,JK….put it up front, right in their faces! It’s a shame how one sided the Tribune has become. A great newspaper was ruined by the woke. Maybe, they should get the next Moutza award?
For the love of all that is sacred, PLEASE follow through on this John. If funding is needed we readers of Johnkassnews.com can donate. Fly a banner around the city. Spread the good word!
Your smiling face on their undeserving pages would be a great big Nah to the Trib. I just hate the idea of you giving them any money.
John, you need to infiltrate more Democrats to make a bigger difference. How about an ad speaking directly to Dems…”See what the enemy is saying @ John Kass News”
From The Wild Bunch!
Pike Bishop : Let’s go!
Lyle Gorch : Why not?
If you want to target your core audience, put it in the Sports Section, preferably next to Biggsy’s column and you’ll reel them in. If you put it in any other section, your core audience will either not see it, because they don’t bother reading the other sections, or they’ll be so angry about the editorial content or influence that they’ll burn you out of anger like they will the rest of those sections.
Yes!! And I’ll help pay for it, as would most of your readers. Just ask us.
Greg Karr
Appearances change but common sense doesn’t. Buy the ads and watch those seeking truth come.
John, I love he idea of a full page ad in the Libune but in one condition:
It’s gotta be on page 3!
Like you I joined the Great Illinois Exodus but to Missouri
I know it’s hard to believe but “The Paper” down here is the St Louis Post Disgrace and it actually is >>FAR<< more Woke than the Libune. Hard to believe.
The only reason I was still subscribing to that rag in those final days was because of your column and “Mr. Boffo” in the comics.
Me too!
The good news is that Joe Martin has his own website too…
John,
I am with your family..update the photo. Marianne and I remain grateful for your mission.
Well, I am glad to see you getting some enjoyment out of this revenge fantasy. However, wasting money advertising on their platform is foolish.
Your advertising dollars are better spent at the Federalist or National Review or with Megyn Kelly.
It’s time you let the Chicago Tribune go. Never mention them again directly or indirectly.
Keep fighting the good fight my friend.
I like it, but maybe you should show a side-by-side with an updated picture and the caption underneath: “I’m even better now!”
For revenge, I certainly would like to see you put ads in the Trib and SunTimes. Have you considered ads that pop up on YouTube? I had a heck of a time unsubscribing from the on line Trib when I learned that you left.
Glad you’re here.
Great idea! but the photo should be of you, lining the bottom of a bird cage with “The Paper”
It’s your choice, but why? Who’ll see/read it? Another venue might be better, e.g. another blog/substack/news site. The people it will reach are already paying a subscription [or thinking about it]. They are more likely targets to try yours.
Unless, of course, it’s worth it to you to stick it to ‘the paper’.
As good as it might feel (to both you & the rest of us subscribers) to put an ad in the traditional papers and thumbing your nose at them, you’re a business man in addition to being a writer. Look at it strictly from a business perspective: advertise to the best market demographic(s) to grow your business both short & long term.
Like many of your current readers, I canceled my paper subscription years ago which makes me doubt it has many folks in your target demographics these days and would be a bad use of your advertising budget. A very fun idea though!
Todd and Mark are right. Why waste your marketing budget on an audience that is unlikely to subscribe?
If you just want to get under the paper’s skin I can think of better ways.
No! No! No! After what they did to you, I wouldn’t give them a penny of your money. They are slowly crashing and burning and we’re all here to watch them implode!
I think it’s a great idea! Someday, if you ever have the time, I would love to tell you a very interesting story of when I was the mayor of Oak Forest and took out an ad in 2 newspapers that had been criticizing me for a couple of years. The advertisement stated the truth, correcting their past lies. Very interesting story of what they did to me trying to do that, but I succeeded!
It’s a great marketing idea however I wouldn’t do it at the Tribune. Do a couple billboards on the Kennedy and Stevenson X-ways.
Why give them revenue while running such a decrepit rag of a product. We no longer have any investigative journalism or any follow up regarding the Chicago crime scene not to mention our failed public school system.
Most of all John, “Don’t Let the Old Man In”
Do the papers AND Billboards. Its only money, and we have Republic to save!
I’ll pay $50 a month
praying….
On the one hand, I like the Chicago way of “F.U. Howz ya doing?” idea. Lets see if they swallow their pride and take the ad. But on the other hand the “paper” has been relegated to the bottom of the bird cage. It’s likely the person taking the ad order may not even know who you are. The thought of the reaction from the editors and publisher when the ad is printed would be almost priceless. Sputtering and fussing. I say if you got the moola and want to get a laugh, do it. What’s the worst they can do? Say No?
Sign me up!
I’ll arrange for your billboard to be displayed here in Arizona.
Nah….wouldn’t give them your money. They didn’t want you let them suffer. Do another billboard ad. People need to know where the truth is in journalism.
God bless, John.
Nanette
Keep up the great work sir, appreciate everything you do.
Have been reading your column since I first came across when I was delivering the tribune on the northwest side.
Cancelled my subscription 10 years ago, subscribe to independent sources now, of journalists who have gone out on their own. Much better writing, reporting.
Go for it, old or new pix. I’d like page 3 but sports pages more likely to find readers that aren’t so WOKE. Anyone who reads section one already is of a rigid mindset and likely not amenable
to change their opinion.
Where ever you put it , make sure Brandon Johnson can see it . We’ve gotta keep an eye on that guy.
The old saying that advertising doesnt cost..it pays may or may not apply…..besides they may try to add a handlebar mustache or a blackened tooth to your pic.
Don’t waste your money on newspapers. No one reads them anyway. Keep posting on X and maybe try some AM radio ads–you’ll find lots of like-minded potential subscribers there. If you’re hoping to get a bunch of liberal/progressive subscribers, stop dreaming. They don’t want to hear what you’ve got to say.
I’m against giving hard earned money to the Trib or Sun-Times. Although it would be a nice up your ass move, Karen Sherman Bushy explained perfectly why you shouldn’t. You’re better off spending on the billboards, putting them in some choice places, as was suggested by a few. Maybe have some kids stand outside the train stations and pass out flyers to any remaining Metra riders (before what’s left is gone) you’d probably have the same result as newspaper ads.
Yes, I understand it’s business but hitting the newspapers with the subscription downfall and a desire to make it dive isn’t good business.
Thanks for being here though. No matter what you decide, it’s your choice. You’re needed here and glad to be a part of it.
Tough question. I think the trib and sun times a waste of money. I go with online…Substack, Federalist, M. Kelly. Keep writing. We need you!
That billboard headline was fine three years ago. Update it for a 2024 ad in those two failing, all-left-perspective papers:
Woke news — Ehhh.
JohnKassNews — Ahhh!
Yes – put out the ad in the Sunday editions – if you have to raise your fees to us by a few dollars to fund this, do it. You were the only reason why I ever looked at the Tribune anyway – my father worked at the Sun-Times for 1 reason, and the Trib owned the Cubs – another reason to never read that rag.
With the lack of advertising that the Chicago papers now get, they could use your money. Want to know how old your neighborhood is? I just look at the lack of papers on everyone’s driveway in the early mornings when I walk my dogs.
Anywhere except the Tribune and Sun Times. Don’t give them your hard earned money. The Chumbolones who read them don’t have any interest in the truth.
John,
By all means do it. And do a bill board again on 294 and downtown on 90!
Tom Williams
Yes, because otherwise Gen Z and Millennials don’t know you. In that regard, the Tribune won. But wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t allow it. Interesting to see what happens. Go for it.
Those generations don’t understand or care what John writes.
Give ’em chance. “Old man look at my life, I’m a lot like you were.”
I agree with Ken Macko. No one is reading the Chicago Slum Times or the Chicago Fibune. Both are begging for money from the government as any good apparatchiks would due to falling revenues. The Slum Times and other failure newspapers
are demanding government “subsidies” to continue publishing their propaganda. The Soviet Union always supported Tass didn’t they? Spend the money on billboards instead. Most of us know where to find you but Gen Z needs to be exposed to Kassism. Some may still be able to be saved with guidance from John and the contributors to this site. Hopefully some can be bothered enough to type in your web address on their tracking/ eavesdropping/ cellphone devices. There may still be time to save them.
Give the former employer your own money. Are you f ing nuts. Pay the people who fired you? HELL NO!
Ad itself works. Sort of depends on how much the ad(s) cost and what your $$ return expectations are. No doubt you’ll gain subscribers, but will the cost be worth it?
Anyone still regularly reading those daily scandal sheets probably can’t be reached, unfortunately. You might as well be selling sunglasses on the submerging Titanic.
John, I’ve spent 35 years of my career on the circulation side of magazine publishing; I know a little bit about obtaining and retaining subscribers. Your ad in these rags will give you and your followers enormous satisfaction, but from a business side it will bomb and your CPO (cost per order) will be astronomical. There are much better ways to spend your money to obtain subscribers.
Mike Serino
President
Magazine Services Group, Inc.
Barb and I dumped our Trib subscription the day we learned you were no longer going to be part of their paper. Never went back, even when (as a day or so ago) they sent me an email offering “The Paper” for peanuts. I say yes to the ad! An offer for a place to get the truth in a paper will of woke nonsense is a chance for others to break away from the ignorance. BTW, great Podcast – listened last night. You and Jeff do a bang up job. Ray Lopez is a super guy!
I like the idea of the ad just for the fun of it. I doubt anyone who reads the Trib these days would understand a counter point of view however.
I like the idea of the Daily Herald as the suburban dwellers still make up their own minds.
Go for it.
Do it!
Here’s another idea for your “shop.” I think you should offer your subscribers the chance to join a monthly roundtable with you for a fee. The fee would include a reserved spot at a lunch table (food charges on their own?), and a roundtable discussion with you about current events. They get the benefit of your wisdom and words, and you perhaps get some new ideas/content for future columns. I know my husband and I, both subscribers, would gladly pay to break bread with you. We would probably fight over who got to go!
And, try to run the ad. I wonder if they’ll let you.
Sure, go ahead if they’ll take it! Might not be many interested people left though?
John, I am in the no camp. The chumbolones who read(?) those papers wouldn’t see the truth if it poked them in the eye.
I like the billboard idea.
I cancelled my Tribune subscription as soon as they endorsed Joe bleeping Biden. When they asked me the reason, I told them “my life will be better without it”.
Hmm. I can count on my thumbs the number of houses in my neighborhood with a paper in the driveway. The political signs in the yards verify their profile. I’m not sure this is demographic that is looking for reality. Don’t think an ad in the paper would have a positive ROI.
Yianni,
The two rags you mention probably won’t place your ad below the fold, and if their distaste for honest journalism has any input, they’re liable to put your ad somewhere around the obits, or comics! Either way, go for it. Even though haven’t read either rag for years, your ad would definitely ad a touch of class to those once beacons of truth (and journalism) in Chicago, that have faded. Seeing as how I won’t read the ad in either paper, you’ll have to let us know where they placed your ad! Keep us posted!!! As we say…eis anotera!!!
Go for it. Bet they won’t run it
That’s a great idea, John. One can only imagine the stress you’ll induce at the Tribune: What the hell? Nuts to him! Ah, but we really need the money.
Double dog dare ya, John. Or you ain’t got a hair . . .
Keep up the great work!
Three things, John
1. I love the idea of the ad. DO IT!
2. New Photo for sure.
3. The two metro daily’s STINK. All those that work there are the same person…you never grow when all you do is talk to yourself.
God Bless!
I think you would reach far more potential readers via billboards than the two papers but the cost of ads should be quite reasonable in the papers so I would do both.
Use the same billboard you used previously it’s very good.
The only downside is it would attract the woke trolls that used to clog the comments section.
Billboards in Vegas Actually
Hit us with a special assessment – lets see how many Super Subscribers step up. I’m in for a hunj
Even better! Skin Chicago CTA buses, with the happy Kasso face. Pick the routes that Brandon Johnson can’t possibly miss. Surgical, targeted marketin!. I’m in for a grand 🙂
No. Skip the dying papers in a dying town. Try to get your stuff in national magazines (those left) and contribute pieces to WSJ.
That’s an interesting idea, sir.
I’m not a Chicago native (suburban Detroit, actually), so I never bothered with the Chicago papers. I discovered John Kass on the Townhall website, which runs a bunch of conservative columnists. His stuff stopped running there about the time he left the CT (maybe syndication thru CT that ended when he left?), and when I went looking for his work, I found this site.
I wonder if John has any interest in “Going National”? If so, a return to Townhall, or expansion to WSJ or similar would be a natural way to expand. However, if he wants to remain Chicago-centric then his advertising should probably remain local/regional.
Hi yes! yes! yes! Please advertise where you can. I’m still waiting for the John Kass Chicago way t shirt to come out.
I say don’t bother. Nobody reads those worthless pamphlets anymore. Save your money, don’t line their partisan pockets. I won’t give them $1 for an annual subscription. Nobody who is objective reads either daily anymore, or the equally lousy Daily Herald.
Do the ad. There may be fans who are not aware your still writing and need your dose of reality. I was a former Trib loyal reader for 30+ years. Even as they were transitioning to woke Marxist ideology I kept my subscription, because you were still there. Once they did you dirty and forced you out I canceled my subscription. You are now writing some of the best columns ever. God bless America and you.
By all means put it in both. The shove it in their face aspect is beyond genius. Nevermind that it is the old ‘fat’ you. The ‘old fat you’ made you what you are today–one of the most resepected journalists in print.
One more comment. Do it. It’s time for their chickens to come home to roost.
It’s hard to imagine anyone still paying for the Tribune would be interested in your point of view..
I think that it would be money lost.. I enjoy my week-old Trib. that I confiscate from the recycle bin in our complex to read “Pickles”.
I’m afraid you’d be throwing good money after bad. If you submitted an op-ed to one of the Chicago rags, do you think they’d honor you by running it? Me neither. What does an ad on one of those electronic rotating ad billboards run? I’m sure drivers on 294 are tired of Brian Uhrlacher and his reconstituted hair.
A long time ago in the earliest days of johnkassnews.com, you queried your readers as to if there was anything they’d like to ask you. I responded: “Where can I go for the truth?” You haven’t failed me.
When discussing politics, I tell people that the biggest “Threat to Democracy” is the lying, conniving, double-dealing, spinning, falsifying, misrepresenting, gaslighting press.
The saving of Democracy is in the hands of people like you, John. After all, are you not a river to your people?
Maybe the ad should say: “Miss the truth? It’s right here at JohnKassNews.com”.
And update the pic. You will soon replace Doug Emhoff as the masculine American ideal. Keep up the great American patriotic work.
Go for it! It’s worth a try even though expensive.
I suggest you also think of doing radio ads in the future.
Screw them JK, do not give the Fibune or the Times a dime.
I still like Ray Long and Phil Thompson, hopefully neither antagonized in your fight for common sense.
If you can afford it, send it to that leftist rag The Daily Herald, too. I trust you’re prepared for the backlash from the chumbolone nation.
You are a gentleman to the backbone!
As a continuing Chi Trib subscriber (just out of habit I guess…..sometimes the local reporting can be pretty funny, especially when the adult editor is out and one of the children gets his unedited article published and it is inappropriately biased) it would be fun to see a 1/4 page ad from you. The ad sales guy wouldn’t care, he’s on commission, the owner wouldn’t care, it’s just business……………..but- the biased (woke) child reporter would be driven crazy I think.
Maybe run the ad in the Daily Herald. A lot of us in the ‘burbs didn’t drink the Kool-Aid and still want to hear what you have to say!
Keep it up John.
You’re one of the handful of threads we still have to a view of a sane world, state and city.
It;s good to hear you on the radio too.
Don
Might as well if it’s not too expensive. Would it run on their website as well?
Yes, and I’d keep the pic. However, I’d put “Miss me?” in red (to distinguish it) because when I looked at the ad, I read the top line from left to right as “Miss I’m right here at ….”
John,
Update the pic and run it! The world has advanced, as have you……let everyone see it!
I would do it. Two reasons. First you won’t lose any money, since they will likely refuse your ad. Second, this will then make a great story. And in the unlikely event they do accept your money and ad, there very likely will be a story in that as well. Do it.
Demand that they put you on page two.
Mr. Kass:
I think that would be great. As a conservative attorney living in Chicago, you are one of only two places I can go for local commentary left in the area, Dan Proft is the other. I really enjoyed the series on your father, as I am the only Non-Greek in the office I referenced to all the other attorneys and staff who also greatly enjoyed it. Please keep up the good work.
Do the local colleges still put out student newspapers? That demographic is the nursery from which evolve thinkers and wokes. The next generation of doers.
I will set the odds at less than 50/50 the Trib will sell you the space. But if they will, I’d say “go for it.”
You and I are both south side kids and we understand how good it feels to “stick it in their eyes” when getting even for things that never should have never happened in the first place. It’s probably not a great idea to get even, but it sure would be fun.
John,
From down state Flyover Land. The woke paper has been established to be whore, you just need to agree on the rate for the ad. Reminder their circulation is much smaller these days.