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'You're fired' says weekly newspaper boss

A weekly editor became Sir Alan Sugar for the day when his newspaper held its own version of TV show The Apprentice.

Nick Procter of the Bridlington Free Press set three teams of school students a task to think up new ways of selling the paper aournd the Yorkshire town.

More than 250 papers were sold in just over two hours, with the team who sold the most getting free pizzas and drinks thanks to a local restaurant.

And, of course, one member of the losing team got to hear the infamous words “you’re fired” in a boardroom scene.

  • The Free Press’s ‘Apprentice’ sellers team in action
  • The event was held to mark Local Newspaper Week which took place last week.

    Once the Headlands School students had identified their locations and promotional gimmicks, they had a morning to sell as many copies of the Johnston Press-owned title as they could to the public.

    Said Nick: “They exceeded all our expectations. Between them they sold more than 250 papers in two-and-a-half hours, which is about one every 30 seconds.

    “I think they could teach some of the candidates on the TV programme a thing or two.

    “They put a lot of hard work into the project and their enthusiasm was a credit to them and the school, and they have given us a few ideas about new ways we could sell the Free Press.”

    The project resulted in two pages of coverage in the paper and a five-minute video which can be seen at the Free Press website

    Comments

    Mr_Osato (18/05/2009 10:19:45)
    Yes, telling them ‘you’re fired’ is a perfect way to prepare them for life as local newspaper journalists

    Northern Snapper (18/05/2009 16:06:46)
    Too true Mr_Osato but in the real world they wouldn’t have got free pizzas and drinks, just peanuts.

    Hilary (19/05/2009 10:14:10)
    Great idea – unfortunate headline

    John Nurden (19/05/2009 11:54:34)
    Yes, many of us are becoming disillusioned with the newspaper industry as we know it but let’s give Nick Procter credit where it’s due. This was an inspired marketing campaign for Local Newspaper Week incorporating a top TV programme, involving schools and ending up selling more copies. Just wish I’d thought of it first!