It's astonishing that this was ever under serious consideration.
The [Washington] Post decided Thursday to cancel plans to charge lobbyists and trade groups $25,000 or more to sponsor private, off-the-record dinner parties at the home of its publisher, Katharine Weymouth, events that would have brought together lobbyists, business leaders, Post journalists and officials from the Obama administration and Congress.... A flier describing the events promised corporate sponsors conversation ("Spirited? Yes. Confrontational? No.") at the Washington home of Ms. Weymouth. Sponsors were asked to pay $25,000 to attend an event, or underwrite a series of 11 for $250,000.
The July 21 event, focusing on health care reform, "guaranteed" a "collegial evening" with health industry advocates, Post journalists covering the field and administration officials involved with its policies.
At least WaPo had the good sense to cancel the thing when word leaked out.
Drop your ideas for awesome BMG fundraisers in the comments! ;-)
UPDATE: This was not just a misguided marketing executive getting ahead of himself. This came straight from the publisher, who is a lawyer and M.B.A. who apparently has no experience outside the business side of the organization. She is also, coincidentally no doubt, the granddaughter of Katharine Graham, the WaPo's former publisher. |
