AddThis SmartLayers

Publisher welcomes publicity boost over obscene advert

A weekly newspaper publisher who claims his title was sabotaged to include an obscene advert has welcomed the publicity arising from the incident saying:  “Everyone knows about us now.”

As reported by HTFP earlier this month, the Pembrokeshire Herald published an advert for Enterprise Rent-A-Car which included a sex act in a list of services provided by the company.

Publisher Tom Sinclair claimed an unauthorised person had gained access to the paper’s computer system to amend the advert, along with a number of others which appeared in the 19 July edition.

However the story resulted in worldwide publicity for the new title – as well as selling out the edition – and Tom says he does not believe any damage to the paper has been done.

He told HTFP: “It has all turned out OK in the end. Everyone knows about the Pembrokeshire Herald now.”

Tom added he had obtained the IP address of the computer which he believes to have been used to amend the adverts and would pass that to the police.

The edition of the paper containing the obscenity had a print run of 20,000 and remained on sale after the amendment was discovered, eventually selling out.

The Herald is published by Milford Haven-based MegaGroup Pembrokeshire Ltd, which also runs the area’s free local monthly magazine Best.

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed they had received a letter sent by Tom setting out the circumstances of the incident but a spokesman said that no formal complaint had yet been recieved.

As a result, said the spokesman, no police investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.

5 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • August 12, 2013 at 10:38 am
    Permalink

    How truly cynical. Far from rejoicing in the “publicity” gained in this sad affair, Tom Sinclair should be hanging his head in shame.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • August 12, 2013 at 2:12 pm
    Permalink

    How very strange. It seems the publisher has offered gleeful quotes to HTFP before handing over alleged criminal evidence to the police. Should not his priorities be questioned? Unless, of course, the culprit is going to be rewarded for his / her vital contribution to the newspaper sales boost.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(1)
  • August 12, 2013 at 2:53 pm
    Permalink

    In this case I think infamous rather than famous.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • August 12, 2013 at 3:12 pm
    Permalink

    “Ad agencies are useless, expensive and present the same old crap they produce for every other company. Short of committing murder, negative publicity sells more seats than positive publicity.” (Michael O’Leary, chief executive, Ryanair, interview with Marketing magazine)

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • August 12, 2013 at 6:46 pm
    Permalink

    Surely a newspaper – especially a new one like the Herald – would want to be famous for their stories rather than the ‘sabotage’ of an advert?
    Having said that, in this case that may be more difficult given the editor resigned after just the sixth issue because of a piece attacking a senior journalist at a rival newspaper. Plus the fact the Herald employs no news journalists at all.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)