As avid newswatchers know by now, KOMO (or their parent, Fisher Interactive) has entered the “hyperlocal” blogging fray with a suite of 43 neighborhood blogging sites around the greater Seattle area. There is, of course, a Wallingford version (although many of its stories appear to be copy-and-pasted over from other KOMO neighborhood blogs).
We’d be lying if we said we didn’t feel a bit threatened, a big media company like that, with all its resources, coming crashing into the little story-corner we’d carved for ourselves over here north of Lake Union. At the same time, we applaud them for getting out of their offices downtown and trying to cover our community, and the 42 others they’ve taken on. And, although, they’ve already had a few embarrassing mis-steps (such as misspelling the name of the neighorhood immediately to our North, Green Lake, and briefly declaring their Twitter account the “Official” Twitter account for our entire neighborhood), that’s to be expected when a old-style media company starts trying to figure out this Interweb stuff. It can be tough.
At the end of the day, if they end up helping Wallingford and the other neighborhoods get information about what’s going and make our community stronger, then who can complain about that?
So heck, KOMO: welcome to the neighborhood. We baked you a pie.
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I’m not that impressed. I’m biased — I love Wallyhood!
Though I was pleased to see Todd’s name in the bit about Solsticio (opening just across the neighborhood line in Fremont soon, on the Burke Gilman trail at Stone way & 34th).
I miss Todd’s coffee & morning chat from when he was over at the former Gypsy Java cafe. Can’t wait! I need a good drip in the morning!
chris
I don’t think Wallyhood need worry. Up to this point big agencies trying to go hyperlocal hasn’t worked because they don’t have someone spending the necessary time to get to know the neighborhood. It hasn’t been economically viable in the past.
Wallyhood will always be my #1 neighborhood blog. Accept no substitutes!
You and your pie are so sweet.
From the folks at Fisher/KOMO, Thank you! We’ve added your blog to our community list. Yes, we’ll make some mistakes but we’re based in Seattle and when we do make a mistake, we can correct it and learn from it. It’s not like changes are being made from some head office in New York. Not sure how many Fisher employees live in Wallingford but I would hope they read and contribute to both. So, it’s a work in progress but we appreciate the “welcome.” The pie looks good.
Thanks again,
Troy McGuire
Fisher Interactive