It is often said “A secret is something you tell one person at a time.”
Well, my little secret is slowly spreading and I would like to share it now with all the many wonderful people who have visited this site during the past 12 years.
It is time to call it quits.
I will be relocating to the Hilton Head area of South Carolina and my KC stories will disappear as my site morphs into a normal business site.
I plan on doing media relations work there while also pimping my upcoming book “Confessions of a Corporate Sycophant,” which takes a humorous look at life as a PR guy in the corporate world.
I also hope to continue teaching down there as I did here at Baker, KU, Phoenix and Avila. Thanks to those colleges for the opportunity to work with students.
I honestly was going to shut down Bottom Line Communications a few years ago. It was very time-consuming and not without its risks. I have been threatened with lawsuits on at least two occasions.
However, the positive feedback I received at that time proved that there was a genuine need for a site to talk about what is happening in media circles. It was me or no one.
It also helped tremendously when Phil Singleton of KC Website Design and SEO (LINK) updated my site and instantly took it from awful to professional. He and his company are the best.
Let’s face it, the Kansas City Star wasn’t going to let people know when some of their favorite journalists were let go during its endless rounds of layoffs. The same is true for TV and radio stations.
TV and radio outlets were glad to have me announce new people joining their stations, but not really happy when they were showing the door to others. It takes awhile for Kansas Citians to warm up to media folks, but when they do they are very loyal. They really enjoyed information about the media people they followed.
Where do you go now for media information in KC? Jim Fitzpatrick at jimmycsays does a wonderful job watching over his former KC Star employer, but needs to crank out more stuff. Get on that Jim!
If you want honest and legitimate media information check out kctripod.com. If you want media information that is rarely true and often takes cheap shots at the local media then gatewaycityradio.com might be of interest.
My personal favorite for ongoing news about KC? None other than Tony Botello at tonyskansascity.com. I consider Tony a dear friend despite the fact we have virtually nothing in common other than the belief the Internet should allow the free-flow of ideas.
People seem to take Tonyskansascity.com for granted, but believe me, he works very hard for the many scoops he uncovers. The bottom line (pun intended) is that he is a good guy and a man of integrity. That is the best compliment I can give a person.
I might write a few more stories here before I leave KC after 25 years, but would like to take the time now to thank the thousands who visit this site each and every day. Special thanks to the individuals who have fed me information over the years.
It is one of the great ironies that news outlets have no problem all but demanding information from others, but are often the first ones to say “No Comment” when you want information. Many of them have a strict policy of not allowing anyone to speak at all, but luckily for me, many tipped me off on news items on a regular basis. They knew when they went off-the-record with me I would not violate that trust.
On a special note, I would like to personally thank Mike Shanin, a radio legend in KC and the long-time host of the “Ruckus” show, for having me as a guest on the popular KCPT program in April. In all seriousness, it was a thrill and the panelists could not have been nicer. Thanks for the memory.
Life will move on for all of us. It was time to let everyone in on my secret. Peace.
THANKS FOR WORK
Thanks for all you the work did here. You will be missed. I was just down in that area of South Carolina last week and I would say it is one my favorite parts of the country. Enjoy it!
BEST OF LUCK
John, I’m going to miss you and this site. I’m glad I got to know you over the years and even got to source some things for you.
The times you came on SRKC with me were some of my favorite discussions.
Best of luck in Hilton Head.
KUDOS
Kudos for all you’ve done to keep us all informed. I agree 100% with your assessment of both JimmyCSays and Tony’s KC. Both are great men of integrity who promote both an informed citizenry and open discussion. Good luck in SC you will be missed very, very greatly here in KC and there is no greater compliment we could give you than that.
MISSED
You, and your blog, will be missed.
MISSED
Awe, you will be missed! But I look forward to hearing more from your new location on the coast. Enjoy!
NICE THOUGHTS FROM FITZ
This is unwelcome news, John, and I say that selfishly. You’re the best at tracking the comings-and-goings of people in the media, including The Star, where you never worked. It’s a tribute to your ability to win over sources and keep them confidential. God knows the vast majority of people at The Star wouldn’t give me any inside information; I’ve burned the paper a lot the last few years, and I burned a lot of bridges even while I was still there!
You will not be replaced. You have a special niche. I don’t know where we readers will go to find out about changes taking place inside the newsrooms and front offices of the various TV and radio stations, as well as The Star. We probably just won’t find it in the volume and timeliness that you’ve given it to us.
Hate to see you go. Just hate it. Hilton Head sounds good, but you might not find it that satisfying without the profile you’ve got here. I sure wouldn’t want to move to a place where I wasn’t known. It’s the ego, you know…Anyway, I wish you the very best. If you don’t like it, we’ll take you back in a minute…
You’re a good man, Fitz. I was really glad we were able to hook up and talk about the good old days of newspapers. Time for you to carry the torch!
PUT OUT SOME GOOD INFO
Well I hate to see you go, But wish you well in your future adventures. I’m not in the business but have been curious about where folks have ended up once they left the airwaves of KC.
You’ve certainly put out some good info over the years. Take Care.
RINK THE MAN
John,
Thanks for keeping me connected with my home! I’ll miss this!!!
Rink
AN UNPAID STRINGER
As one of your many “unpaid stringers”, I will miss reading your comments/observations. If you are or have been in media in this market over the last decade, you were a “must read.” I am glad to have been a small part of your site over the years.
Thanks for what you’ve done….good luck and best wishes
WORK HAS BEEN TOP NOTCH
John, you will be missed. Your work has been top-notch and,aside from being complementary to the vulgar-blogger-who-shall-remain-uncredited, I agree with your assessment of the lack of accountability of local media.
That said, it’s time to go on a high note; we soon won’t recognize anyone on air or in print here. They’re using Kansas City as a farm team stop on the way up. Sad..
Good luck, sir.
STAGES OF GRIEF
No way, you’re not leaving!
Well.
Good F’ing RIDDANCE!
You were only a carpetbagger journalist wannabe anyway! PR my butt!
You make Hearne Christoper look like a respected journalist.
Maybe it’s the next stage of your career, it’s probably nice there (without the tornadoes and all). Retirement isn’t so far away.
Maybe you deserve it. Ok, all is forgiven.
(I think I covered all of the stages of grief/loss).
You still need a proofreader, though.
Good luck to you!
Bill, I never claimed to be purfect. You are a good guy.
KEEPING US INFORMED
Thanks so much for letting us in on so much that was going on out there in the business world, in the NEWS world, that we wouldn’t have known about.
The Star doesn’t know that it’s losing as it continues to cut and cut away at itself. Losing a little money? Cut some staff. Sales not up? Make cuts to the paper itself… charge to get the comics (the only part of the paper my young son would read at one time - and NO, I didn’t pay extra for it). Charge for the on-line version, even if it’s a paper subscriber.
Tie your reporters hands - or rather, gag them, when it comes to keeping their audience TRULY informed.
We will miss you!
LIBERAL TONY
Best of luck, John. I will miss your site. And while you like TKC, I can’t get past his liberalism, so I don’t visit.
Thanks again!
THANKS SO MUCH
It’s really such a shame to see you do this. It was so nice getting your stories on the local television stations. Is there anywhere I can go to still get similar stories about TV here?
Good luck with all of your future endeavors though John and thank you so very much once again!
GATEWAY
Know were down to KC Tripod’s Website and Gatewaycityradio Website.
We will miss you stories on Station Changes and Digital Sub Channel stories.
BELOW THE BELT
Wow, I feel like I’ve been hit below the belt.
I love this site. I’ll miss you, John, and this site. Godspeed.
VISITED SITE OFTEN
John,
I’ve visited your site often because I work in the business and rely on your information. Thank you for updating your site for so many years.
Of course, often times many of us PR folks share which media person has moved where among ourselves… and we’ll have to continue to do that.
But mostly I wanted to say, I’m jealous of your move and your chance to make a change! Enjoy this big adventure. I hope to do the same someday.
Best wishes to you!
Megan
START A PROTEST
John, you’re not serious, are you? If we stage a mass protest demonstration you’ll announce that you’re staying, right?
But really, you have done a great job and have been a wonderful friend, and we will miss you and your blog tremendously. I have been a devoted daily reader for years.
And with your gentle prodding, I feel confident that Jim Fitzpatrick will get on the stick and start pumping out morning and afternoon editions daily - including one that is zoned for Johnson County.
You’re a good man, Julius. The Star lost an excellent journalist.
Hey Beach Boy John:
Congrats on your big move to ACC/SEC territory and good luck with your book. I’ll definitely miss my daily visits to this blog and many of your smarmy comments to those who opposed or challenged your journalistic integrity. You made me laugh and cringe with delight often with your professorial commentary and retorts. Maybe someday we’ll see you on the evening news collecting seashells down by the seashore with that white stuff on your nose?!
DARN IT
Darn it John! I will miss your blog. KC is losing out here. Good luck on your new journey.
NOTE FROM LEGEND
I always bought into your site and your thoughts. Seems to me you were fair and honest in your appraisals. There will be a vacuum when you leave. It’ll be tough to keep in touch with local media happenings without you. Who will fill the void? Right now, it looks as though there is no one else who can take up the responsibilities of the lead dog. Damn, I hate to see you go. I wish you the best. You did good!
Fred Broski
“BOWLING FOR DOLLARS”
Mr. Broski not sure if you use Facebook but there is a group you are often mentioned along with bowling for Dollars! called “Things and places we loved in Greater KC when we were much younger!”.
CENTER OF GRAVITY
Julius — Johnson County is really losing its “center of gravity” status now, isn’t it? First, The Star closes its massive JoCo bureau and then Landsberg heads for the coast!
THORN IN KC STAR SIDE
Good riddance. You’ve been a thorn in my side for years. Now I can go about my business without you trying to embarrass me.
TONYSKC
Just want to echo the great comments here . . . This blog has been a MUST READ resource and THE GOLD STANDARD for Kansas City’s media scene.
Can’t say enough good things about John and his work.
Obviously, looking at these responses. You’ll be missed John.
SC?
Good luck John, but South Carolina!? Oh well, look up Lee Ozley and ask him about his fighter pilot days and the medals he didn’t recieve.
WATCH THE GATORS
wow, john. well you obviously are doing what you need to do for yourself and family. hilton head? nice! just be careful of the gators that like to sunbathe in the bunkers.
like all of the others here, your site and insight will be missed.
i sincerely wish you the best and thank you for all you’ve done.
best regards,
mike trainor
JOCO LOSING ITS GLOW
You’re right, Fitz. I knew Johnson County was starting to lose its glow when intrepid editor Michael “O.J.” Nelson hung the duct tape from the ceiling to catch those flying roaches in our JoCo Bureau newsroom. I wonder if that was a violation of the Endangered Species Act? Maybe Tony can dig into that.
INFORMATION WILL BE MISSED
As an almost daily reader, Thank You. Your information will be missed.
ENJOY NEW CHAPTER
Sad news, John, but understandable - that area of the country is beautiful. Enjoy your new chapter, and thanks for all the great stories over the years.
Vaya con Dios!
NOTE FROM JERRY FOGEL
You will really be missed John.
Many thanks for all you have done for KC media and, selfishly, for me, personally. I have enjoyed our lunches at the Legends in years past and wish you well as you move to a sunnier clime.
All the best to a real pro!
TO THE SEC
I never imagined you’d ever move to the SEC. We’ll miss you back here in Big 12 Country. Thanks for providing a valuable service.
BIBLE BANGING
Surprised it took so long since this blog was never fair and balanced. It served as a mouthpiece for rightwing thinking and nothing more. FAIL! Move along to bible-banging South Carolina….
ADVICE FOR TONY
Tony would help his and his blog’s integrity a great deal-a GREAT deal-if he wouldn’t allow the ugly, ignorant, hateful, stupid and usually racist comments he allows to appear on his page, however.
LEGENDARY TV ANCHOR
Dear John,
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. How you can leave us, desert us really, is beyond me. You, the only source of truth of media (there is little truth “in” media), such as it is in the Kansas City metro market area. We depend on you, rely on your relentless search for “Wha’s happening baby?” in the media… who’s doing what (or whom), who’s going where, or coming here, the never-ending revolving door in TV and radio, the latest news in news, such as it is.
And, how can you leave Kansas City (Johnson County, really) to move to Hilton Head (where is that, anyway?), for a life of indolence and golf, late afternoon mint juleps, and hurricanes, when you can have beer and tornadoes here?
John, John, John, change your mind before you regret your decision, and float off on some ice floe to oblivion. We will take you back (I won’t, but some of your other correspondents may). Your wife doesn’t really want to move to South Carolina- who would? She doesn’t even play golf, but pretty soon she’ll be driving around in one of those electric golf carts, and you’ll be wearing lime green Ban-lon golf shirts, with banana yellow slacks, white shoes and belt, both of you going off to the Seniors $6 dinner, before 5:30pm, Mondays thru Thursdays, and watching old movies with the others like you in the big breakfast room, with free popcorn, and toothpicks, in case anything gets stuck in your dentures.
How could you want to live in a resort area, on the ocean,when you could live in landlocked Kansas, where going to “The big city” means driving to the Plaza?
Obviously you have lost your senses. So go, leave- but not before calling Brian Bracco at KSHB and telling him to hire me to anchor the 4:00 and 6pm news.
Best,
Tom Lawrence
Legendary TV News Anchor
This was a classic. Tom, you will be missed.
GREAT GUY
John you are an all-around great guy..been great working with you and thanks for all the help along the way.
PASSING THE BATON
I hope you can pass the baton to someone who can keep the focus on Kansas City media.
FORE!!
John,
Have greatly enjoyed BLC’s website over the years. I’ve been able to stay connected to the city I left 15 years ago, yet still love. Enjoy your time in Hilton Head….FORE !!!
KEEPING AN EYE ON EACH OTHER
Good luck in your new home. It’s sad to lose a site where all of us media types can keep an eye on each other.
It was gratifying to know we were being read, even if you weren’t that happy with what we scribbled.
BLESSING
John: heartfelt THANX for this site. a blessing on you for the future. when lighthouses quit shining I really begin to worry. Be Well
NOTE FROM THE GREAT MARTY ROSENBERG
Your timing may be exquisite given that there is less and less journalism to watch.
I think back to our encounters with Nate the would be CEO, the young stiff working the copy machine who catapulted to the Star front page and the press conference down at the greeting card establishment when the spinmeisters self-destructed.
Few will ever enjoy the escapades we shared on opposite sides of the illustrious press PR divide.
Is it true that a certain former telecom CEO is personally moving you to SC in payback for comparable services rendered many moons ago?
Well done, friend.
INFORMATIVE & INTERESTING
I guess I’ll do without info about KC tv personalities because I’ll be damned if I give a certain blog more hits than necessary.
Didn’t always agree with you, but your info was always informative and interesting. Good luck with your future endeavors.
BEST OF LUCK
Sorry to see you go. Best of luck in SC.
LONG TIME STOP
Bottomlinecom.com has been a daily stop of mine for a LONG time. It has been a pleasure reading your site and good luck to you in the future!
Bryan
OP Ks
THANKS
Best wishes. Thanks for all your reporting.
GREAT TED CRAMER
I will miss your columns and you, personally.
We could count on you for the information we could not get ourselves. You leave a real vacuum in the media and we will greatly miss your knowledge and sense of humor. Best wishes as you move on and you leave a website we always checked every day!
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES…
John,
Always enjoyed our visits at the media lunches and digging deeper with you into the stories of the day that could NOT be published.
Yes there might have been times of ‘abuse’ I took sitting across from you. But most of those ended in laughter.
All the best wishes!
As a person I would give you a five out of five fingers!!
CHRISTINE VENDEL
John:
I have enjoyed your site for years. It saddens me beyond words that you are leaving. I came to depend upon your site for media-related updates. Yours was the only site that was consistently accurate. Other blogs have gotten some stories SO wrong that I refuse to read them and I don’t know what I will do in your absence.
Your comments mean a lot Christine since I consider you one of the top journalists in the country. Thanks.
HARDCORE REPORTING
You will be missed in Kansas City and bottomline.com has been the very best sources for hardcore reporting with less fluff!
by the way, is your book “Confessions of a Corporate Sycophant” going to be published? I am interested in reading this book on my kindle.
I am hoping it will be out in about a week…hoping.
GOOD NEWS
That’s good news, let me know when it occurs.
AND BORROW MY CAR…
Bottom Line was like a good book that was never going to end.
It had tragedy, drama, and suspense.
The characters were likfe-like and the situations were reeal so that readers could indentify with them.
Now, you’re packing your bags for another market.
I realy enjoyed the stories and hopefully there will be someone that begins a sequel.
Good luck John and I’d like to borrow your car on Saturday night.
MISSED
You will be missed. Thank you for all the hard work and insight.
THANKS FOR WORK
Thanks for the work. I found this site after going to gateway radio. It has been fun. Best of Luck with the future. Guess I’ll be reading the Pitch and Gatewy radio and KC Tripod.
Well, I guess people need to move on and do what they have to do.
I’ve enjoyed your site over the years, John. And I will miss it for your final words on issues and events about media, always managed to be the FINAL WORD! You’ve done good work here and I’m sure all your readers will be greatful, even those you targeted from time to time. Don’t we ALL just love positive press?
Best of luck to you, Landsberry, kick back and enjoy for awhile! you leave me among your supporters back here in the hinterlands! Thanks for adding to my life and understanding. You’ve always been doing, ‘the right thing.’
Greg
Oh hell, I hate this, as I Exited and Saved. I don’t like saying goodbye to people I’ve enjoyed and felt part of my life for quite awhile. I loved bantering with you on the few occasions I did. High entertainment! Loved your ability to put media issues and people into perspective whether I commented or not.
You usually got me writing to your site ON MY BEST BEHAVIOR, as sign of respect to you and the importance of your site and your readers in the KC community! I will SOOO miss that, Landsberg! For some reason, you make me want to be the best I can be, when I reply to your blog. Guess that’s a respect thing, you whippersnapper! What a horrible loss you’ll be, leaving our media community! I’m not sure I even understand that quite fully yet!
And you’re one of the characters in my reading life I DO NOT WANT to lose!
SHUT DOWN DATE
John,
I’ve just started get used to the site…love the work you’ll be missed. Not sure where i’ll get all my inside scoop from.
So when will the site officially be shutdown? I’m hoping to get one finally scoop before you ride off into Hilton Head.
I’ve been contemplating a final column.
FORMER KMBC GM
John, I will miss seeing your website. Since I retired, and began spending most of my year in Florida, I have relied on your site to keep track of what is happening in KC media. I will miss reading your stories and comments.
Best of luck to you!
HURRICANE SPOTTER
John,
This is the biggest news since Barry Garron stopped doing TV/radio reviews!
Have fun in S.C. and learn to be a hurricane spotter.
Scott Simon
St. Louis
SOME THOUGHTS
“I have been threatened with lawsuits on at least two occasions.”
You know you’ve been effective when you lose count of how many legal threats you’ve received.
I’ve enjoyed reading your site, as well. You did some actual reporting… hard to find in Kansas City.
You know it’s the 15th anniversary of Matt Drudge’s speech to the Washington Press Club? Maybe you can give your archives to a college, so that when journalism students in 50 years ask, “Now, how was it, again, that the giants like McClatchy and Meredith Corp went bankrupt when all they needed to do was practice acts of journalism?”, they can read examples.
I’ve got to ask: do people actually watch “Ruckus”? Not counting the people who can’t remember they watched it, two hours later. Surely, the entire viewership can fit inside the First Watch they eat at before the program on Sundays.
Thanks for your reporting, tell Mark Sanford hello for me, and best wishes.
ENJOYED THE SITE
Great Job, Have ENJOYED the site VERY MUCH !!
I will be leaving this mean hateful town in two years for The Mountains of Western North Carolina, Where I am from and cannot wait to return home.
KC is a nasty, mean, rude town, full of people who do not care about anyone except themselves and the hell with anyone else,
will be SO NICE to be back in WNC, where people are friendly and nice, not like this dump of a town !!
Good luck in S.C. you will love it !!! Great
people and Great Food !!! Best BBQ in the World, nothing like the “so-called” BBQ here !