Comments on: Blog breaks First & Main opening

By: Tim Davis

Tim Davis — Tue, 25 May 2010 01:08:56 +0000

I also want to add that Nick Bjork is a VERY level reporter. I commend you, Mr. Bjork, for putting up with some negative comments about downtown real estate and big corporations, etc., in such a professional way!!

Thanks so much,
Tim

By: Tim Davis

Tim Davis — Tue, 25 May 2010 01:02:10 +0000

Let’s all keep in mind that no matter who breaks stories in Portland, and regardless of the manner in which it is done, we MUST use correct grammar!

I’m sorry, Mr Bjork, but I have to point out two unbelievable errors: “could of” and “would have…took out.” What makes me the most sad, though, is that most people, particularly those who use “it’s” in a possessive form, don’t even realize that “could of” is not a proper construction.

I write extremely quick notes all the time, but I never make grammatical errors. I have high expectations of Portland authors and journalists. I would not point out “would have took” if this were the home of the Texas School Board, though. 🙂

I agree that Brian Libby’s blog is AMAZING! Keep up the incredible work, both of you!

Cheers,
Tim

By: Nick Bjork

Nick Bjork — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:26:53 +0000

In my opinion, breaking news is more important for media outlets now than ever because people have come to expect instantaneous news. I think you are right, though, that traditional publications, like the 91��Ƶ, have to flesh out stories and take new angles to be relevant when the news was blasted a day, or even a week before. While you are right that a traditional publication shouldn’t negate good news because it ran on a blog, that isn’t what I meant here. I am all for new media, I love it. I freelance on the web, write a blog and have written for numerous traditional publications. The intent of the owners of First & Main was to build anticipation for the grand opening of the new building. All I am saying is that they need to take into account new media when trying to stall all media coverage of the building. Anyone who attended that BOMA event, or any other event that has taken place in the building so far, could easily of shot high res pictures and good video of the building with their cell phone. The nature of the game has changed and they should have taken that into account before approaching it this way. (Take off my PR hat) I’m in no way jaded because a blog broke the story, or upset with the people at First & Main for approaching the situation this way. I just saw it as a great example of how things have changed in this industry. I probably would have fleshed it out more, and took out that last sentence, but I wanted to be the first to break the news that someone else had broken the news 🙂 Thanks for reading, Brian. P.S. I love your blog and always have.

By: Brian Libby

Brian Libby — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:09:24 +0000

Interesting post. I write the Portland Architecture blog and work as a freelance journalist so the topic is of particular interest.

What do you mean when you say, “…the building’s media attention is going to be fragmented and some news sources may decide to leave it alone”? It sounds to me like you’re saying, “This little blog scooped the rest of us in the traditional mainstream media, and that’s too bad because they have a smaller readership.” I think the rules of the game have changed. If a mainstream publication is going to remove itself from coverage of a key story simply because it’s been on a realtor’s blog, I don’t think that makes sense. It doesn’t matter so much anymore who reports the story first. It should either be greenlighted or not greenlighted by an editor according to the merits of the story.