Taking the bait, I walked back home and visited the Courier-Journal on line. The simple act of entering my zip code into the ShopLocal prompt turned up dozens of shopping options within a twenty-five mile radius, all of them available for browsing by type, store and brand.
Among the many “local” stores listed are Target, Home Depot, Radio Shack and Pep Boys. “Local” brands include Sony, Ralph Lauren and Dockers.
The entity responsible for this celebration of “local” consumerism is called CrossMedia Services. And who is CrossMedia Services? Here’s a press release from August, 2004, that explains everything:
“CrossMedia Services, Inc., a leading provider of Web-based marketing solutions for national and local retailers, today announced the launch of ShopLocal, an
ShopLocal’s particular twist is that it directs web shoppers to brick and mortar stores situated near their homes, with the incessant “local” mantra presumably providing reinforcement for those who eschew buying on-line under the peculiar reasoning that spending their money at the Wal-Mart down the street is better than sending it directly to Wal-Mart’s on-line arm.
So, let’s review.
The nationwide media conglomerate Gannett -- as in “net” profit -- owns the Louisville Courier-Journal, a “local” newspaper. By means of the national marketing company CrossMedia, which Gannett jointly owns with two fellow media conglomerates, “local” newspapers steer shoppers to “local” big box and chain retail stores, which in turn (and quite a big assumption on my part here) pay in some way, shape of form for the privilege.
Of course, hardly any aspect of the Courier-Journal’s ShopLocal link bears the slightest resemblance to “local” in any genuinely meaningful sense.
At the same time, the Courier-Journal is responsible for Velocity, which boasts local content galore, and is utter and unmitigated dreck.
There’s a lesson here somewhere, but I’m too annoyed to learn it.
4 comments:
Roger you have raised a good point. But what "local" shopping choices does one have in Southern Indiana outside flower shops,a couple of homegrown sporting goods stores that have most of their inventory for school accounts, hardware stores; leaving out Heuser Hardware in Jeff, privately owned, that have sold out to the big names in hardware companies;ACE,HWI and others. A homegrown bike shop(2 stores). There are plenty of consignment shops and the smidgen of galleries. Clarksville and John Minta have whored itself and its mom and pop businesses out to the corporate way of capitalism. Valid points on the CJ query tool, yes they are linked to big brother, for sure.
Add to that list of merchants; Schmitt, Smith and Classic Furniture stores, J. Endris Jewelers, Kaiser Tobacco store and a plethora of antique stores. Oh and one Bookseller which I dearly love having...Sorry for the rant, I just wish this community would get with it and be part of Metro Louisville without selling out to the man.
This "ShopLocal" campaign blurs the line between editorial and business affairs, although I suppose we should be used to that by now. Business profiles aren't quite bribes, but I'd like to see the dominant media source in the metro area fulfill its public service duty.
You know, the whole concept of freedom of the press, and the recent controversies over reporters protecting their sources (see, Valerie Plame) is predicated on the desirability, if not the necessity, for the press to be a counterbalance to government. Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, and all that.
It's a little more explicit for broadcast media since the legislation makes it imperative. And we've seen how responsive the GeorgeBushMichaelPowell FCC is to the need for limits and regulation.
The social and economic Darwinism on display in this campaign reminds me more of Malthus than Orwell. Shop local. What a great idea, co-opted by a mammoth media conglomerate.
I agree that what is at play is more symptomatic of unchecked exponentialism than it is a draconian undercutting of language and the experiences delineated. Why isn't coke local, escpecially if it has been consumed for three generations? What could be local or organic in a strict sense?
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