Monday 11 May 2009

Who's sorry now? Standard's ad campaign accused of 'humiliating' its journalists

The backlash against the Evening Standard's extraordinary "we're sorry" campaign comes today with biting criticism from former editor Veronica Wadley and The Independent's media commentator Stephen Glover.
The Standard relaunches today following its takeover by Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev on the back of an ad campaign in which it has said sorry to Londoners for losing touch, being negative, complacent and taking readers for granted.
Glover in today's Independent says of the self flagellation by the Standard: "This is a grotesque overreaction to its recent past, which was certainly no disgrace. It recklessly 'trashes the brand'.
Readers of the Standard who have remained loyal may wonder why they paid 50p for a paper which its management now disowns. Incidentally, it is still largely staffed by the same journalists who produced this alleged shocker."
But it is Wadley who really puts the boot in, claiming in today's MediaGuardian: "London is laughing at this ludicrous campaign." She says it is "utterly humiliating for the staff and contributors. They are in despair."
She saves her best shot for the Standard's new editor. "As for Geordie Greig, well, Etonians have a history of collaborating with the KGB." Ouch!

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