Slog - Comments on KUOW Ransom Note http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note Yesterday brought the following to my mailbox, printed on a benign white postcard: Dear Listener: You recently received our newsletter asking you to send in your gift of support to help make the KUOW Fall On-Air Pledge Drive a success. Make your gift today. There is still time to keep the drive short. KUOW is committed to being your trusted source of news and information. Programming is funded by members that value accurate and relevant reporting—your support keeps KUOW strong. Members control the length of the drive—make it short with your gift by October 5th! Marcia Scholl KUOW "Send us... Copyright 2008 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:12:46 -0800 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:06:41 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by UNPAID BLOGGER This surprises you...?

EVERY commercial-free radio station in town does this- they all stress that the faster they get the money to run the station, the sooner the drive will end. Simple economics, nothing to write home about.

]]> UNPAID BLOGGER http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808531 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808531 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:18:26 -0800 Comment by andy niable I received the same postcard. If it also offered "For a donation of $250 or more, we will cut the vocal chords of Marcie Sillman" I'd get out my checkbook immediately....

]]> andy niable http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808532 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808532 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:21:15 -0800 Comment by David Schmader I guess I was surprised by KUOW's wielding of the suckiness of its drive as a fund-raising tool.

"We know our pledge drives are excruciating! Limit your suffering by sending money now!"

]]> David Schmader http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808533 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808533 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:21:24 -0800 Comment by ellarosa pure behavior mod tactics; dangle a carrot, wag a stick. it works.

]]> ellarosa http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808536 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808536 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:23:30 -0800 Comment by Cato the Younger Younger I just do not listen to NPR during the whoreing out of This American Life & Car Talk.....

And I thought Randi Rhodes and Stephanie Miller were radio whores...yesh!

]]> Cato the Younger Younger http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808538 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808538 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:23:56 -0800 Comment by stinkbug I recently emailed them twice about a terrible programming change they made. Except for the auto-responder I never heard anything back from them.


After the whole Ken Vincent fallout I won't be donating any more time/money to them, or at least not until they actually start talking to listeners instead of just demanding more money.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808545 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808545 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:27:51 -0800 Comment by stinkbug cato (#5), This American Life isn't an NPR show. It's a PRI show. And TAL's pledge-drive shows are actually much better than the standard pledge-drive show of the typical public radio program.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808548 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808548 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:30:10 -0800 Comment by Levislade I don't think they have any illusions about the suckiness of the drives, or enjoy them any more than we do. In fact, they probably hate them even more, since they have to be there the whole time.

KEXP sometimes does the same thing, with the "Hit it and quit" drive. They set a goal, and stop when they hit it. Not really a big deal.

]]> Levislade http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808554 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808554 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:35:43 -0800 Comment by genevieve I love the Hit It & Quit It drives - last drive ksxp did I noticed they didn't announce it that way, which was a bummer. I see nothing wrong with this line of fundraising, and actually appreciate it.

]]> genevieve http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808572 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808572 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:53:09 -0800 Comment by monkey Just send in your donation in small, unmarked bills and nobody gets hurt.

DO NOT call the police!

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808573 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808573 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:55:19 -0800 Comment by COMTE Why is KUOW evening having a pledge drive, when they've got $2.5 mm sitting in the bank as I write this?

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808578 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808578 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:03:30 -0800 Comment by no one I quit listening to radio altogether. It's either (1) nonstop commercials, or (2) odious inane patter, or (3) just assholes yelling at assholes.

When I want my daily dose of (3), I turn to the comments on Slog, and I contribute my fair share while giving my eardrums a break.


]]> no one http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808589 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808589 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:12:08 -0800 Comment by exelizabeth Because money in the bank lasts forever, COMTE.

I have enough money in the bank to pay rent next month! I should just quite my job now and live of the interest!

]]> exelizabeth http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808590 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808590 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:12:36 -0800 Comment by Katelyn Maybe KUOW should start airing stripper ads, that would bring in some revenue.

]]> Katelyn http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808598 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808598 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:19:50 -0800 Comment by KY. COL. of TRUTH "Make your gift today" sounds so kindergartenisch - like get out the clay and we'll make mommy an ashtray in the shape of your hand.

"There is still time to make the drive short." Word here: time is infinite; whereas short drives waste gas. Does obeying this command mean that if everyone who gives sent their check today there would be no drive at all? Precluding my joy at eating free lunch when I volunteer answering phones in October. Bummer...

And to the person who several years ago phoned in during the drive and declared: "As long as Ken Vincent is there, you won't be getting a dime from me." It's now safe for you to send KUOW your generous donation.

]]> KY. COL. of TRUTH http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808730 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808730 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:02:35 -0800 Comment by UnionYes The mailings have nothing to do with the drive goal or the length of the drive. You can mail back as much money as you want, it makes no difference.

]]> UnionYes http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808810 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808810 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:38:13 -0800 Comment by UnionYes The mailings have nothing to do with the drive goal or the length of the drive. You can mail back as much money as you want, it makes no difference.

]]> UnionYes http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808811 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808811 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:38:24 -0800 Comment by UnionYes The mailings have nothing to do with the drive goal or the length of the drive. You can mail back as much money as you want, it makes no difference.

]]> UnionYes http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808812 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808812 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:38:27 -0800 Comment by COMTE @13:

If you had $2.5 mm in the bank, you probably could.

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808883 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/kuow_ransom_note#c808883 Media Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:06:41 -0800