Allen Weiner

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Allen Weiner
Research VP
7 years at Gartner
23 years IT industry

Allen Weiner is a research vice president for Gartner's Media IAS service. Mr. Weiner has more than 25 years of experience as an analyst, writer, editor, publisher and broadcaster. He has written about media trends in daily newspapers and magazines as well as serving as a chief analyst and… Read Full Bio

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Philadelphia Inquirer Files for Bankruptcy

by Allen Weiner  |  February 23, 2009  |  Comments Off

This one hurts. I grew up in Philadelphia when it was a two newspaper town–actually three if you include the Daily News which had the best sports section in a brutal sports town (who did not love/hate Stan Hochman). In fact, when I was in graduate school, I did freelance work for the non-defunct Philadelphia Bulletin. Philadelphia newspapers are in my blood.

While some newspapers are considering moving from print to online, that will be tricky here. If I am not mistaken, Philly.com is a separate business unit from the Inquirer and Daily News and there would be both business, personnel and technology issues at play for a total conversion from print to web.

I am left with one question (raised by my wife, an MBA who is not from Philadelphia) that is with my head and not my heart: If they are bailing out banks and car companies, why not newspapers? I have no easy answer.

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