Newspaper advertising revenue was down 12% for 2009--and that's on the already reduced 2008 base. Go back and read that sentence again. I think I was fair. I didn't use "plummet" or "continues to fall". Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that 2008 was bad, but I wanted to point out that advertising revenue fell in 2008 and fell even further in 2009. You may not like it, but I think it was a fair sentence.
But if you want a great example of spin and wishful thinking, check out this New York Times article covering the decline...
Last year was, as expected, a terrible year for advertising spending in this country, according to a leading research company. But the year ended better than it began — still down, yet the rate of decline slowed significantly — and early signs for 2010 seem promising.
Ad spending in the United States fell 12.3 percent in 2009 compared with 2008, according to figures to be released on Wednesday morning by Kantar Media, part of WPP. The fourth quarter fell 6 percent compared with the same period the previous year — a marked improvement from declines of 14.2 percent in the first quarter, 13.9 percent in the second quarter and 15.3 percent in the third quarter.
“There are signs the advertising economy is beginning to improve,” said Jon Swallen, senior vice president for research at Kantar Media in New York.
Beginning to improve? Well, I guess the transition from free fall to steep decline can be characterized as an improvement, but "improve" usually means "get better" not "get worse at a slower rate".
What's really funny is that my version of the article is accompanied by an on line ad that features a roulette wheel. So the page is literally spinning.
Hi Greg
We here at the asylum get 10 minutes on a computer. Just wanted to say Hi. I've met Mr Washington and Abe Lincoln here. They both send their reguards . George wishes you would explain the Obamacare program.
He can't quite understand how Jefferson wrote that in the Constitution.
Ted Carpenter
Posted by: Ted Carpenter | March 19, 2010 at 01:27 AM
That's because Jefferson had nothing to do with the Constitution. Didn't even sign it. Heavily involved in the Declaration though.
Posted by: Winnie | March 19, 2010 at 01:45 AM
Thanks Greg
This is what I tried to tell this G. Washington in the Asylum . I'm glad you
pointed that out also.
Ted Carpenter
Posted by: Ted Carpenter | March 19, 2010 at 02:12 AM
Jefferson consulted with Madison, et. al., on the Constitution - Ted can verify this with G.W.
Posted by: John Wentling | March 19, 2010 at 02:25 AM
When are you going to start writing about the losses local utilities are experiencing because vacant houses and businesses don't buy any water, electricity, gas?
We already know empty businesses don't buy ad space.
Posted by: ron | March 19, 2010 at 09:51 AM