Media Covering Media

Those of us who work in media are always watching ourselves and each other. This week, the drama gets a reference from Candide.

Just the opening 'graph --- the subject of the story discusses his own management style and Panngloss. Voltaire - and this isn't even public radio!

The often poetic New York Observer had some fascinating perspectives on the WSJ's transition:

"For the past two weeks, Robert Thomson, publisher of The Wall Street Journal, has been busy not being the paper's editor. It hasn't been easy. Since April 22, Thomson, who was forced to describe himself in an interview with The New York Times as the interim "head of content" for the paper, has had nine meetings to soothe the fraying nerves of his orphaned editorial staff."

“Let’s not be panglossian—there is uncertainty and thus it is proper for me to stand in front of our journalists and take the tough, challenging questions,” Mr. Thomson wrote in an e-mail to Off the Record.

All about Rupert Murdoch and his minion at his newfound dominion, the Wall Street Journal... (gee - this Voltaire stuff rubs off on you...). Not to dismiss Mr. Thomson at all, but this is all so poetic!

Of course, the nomenclature issue over whether to be called "Editor," "Head of Content," or whatever buzzword of the day we want to intone in our multi-platform world shows how important titles are.

But it is clear, if you are currently at the Wall Street Journal, Robert Thomson is the boss of thee.

Focus, Steve and Barry's - and not much on the web

In an article in this week's NY Times, the "cheap chic" of Steve & Barry's retail clothing chain is trumpeted for, among other things, an $8.98 Sundress designed by actress and fashion plate Sarah Jessica Parker.

From the Times:

"Steve & Barry’s, for the uninitiated, is to fashion what Tower once was to music. Steve & Barry’s is manna, a store that sells stylish celebrity-branded clothes at prices that are absurdly inexpensive, lower than those at Old Navy, H & M or Forever 21, undercutting even Wal-Mart by as much as half."

Steve and Barry's has also worked with NBA star Stephon Marbury to develop the Starbury line of "urban inspired" clothing and shoes. The "Starbury II" shoe that Marbury wears, priced at - $8.98.

They have a lot of stores, are opening more. In what appears to be an increasingly cost-sensitive time, their uber low prices would seem to be very right for right now.

But here's the kicker from their website FAQ:

"In order to provide the best service possible, Steve & Barry’s is devoting all resources to the continued improvement of our retail stores. We currently do not have a catalog or online ordering available."

Focusing on bricks and mortar. And building the brand. We'll see how that works out, but for Steve & Barry's for right now, it seems like a focused approach.