Press release ‘humor’ is sexist, uncalled for

I’ve been a big supporter of Tribune Co.’s new leader Sam Zell. He’s approaching newspapers as a business, which I think is smart, and often misunderstood, especially in newsrooms. But his press release style needs work.

In announcing the promotion of Kim Johnson, new senior vice president of local sales, the release says Johnson is “a former waitress at ‘Knockers — The Place for Hot Racks and Cold Brews.’ Asked if she feels ready to accept the new challenge, Johnson said, “I once won a contest at the restaurant up-selling shots to guys who asked for beer — how different can this be?’ ”

This attempt at humor is sexist and stupid. These claims — made in jest or not — diminish her credibility. It’s unacceptable.

The full press release:

Tribune Interactive Names Leader of Local Sales

CHICAGO, June 16, 2008 — Tribune Company Tribune Interactive President Marc Chase today named Kim Johnson as Senior Vice President of Local Sales.

“The promotions department was testing a new online contest program, and somehow her entry form ended up in our human resources department,” said Chase. “The rules said we had to pick a winner, and it was easier to give her a job than explain it was an accident.”

Despite the screw-up, the company appears to have landed an accomplished sales professional with a ten-year track record of success, including over $100 million in local and national budgets achieved. In the mid-1990s, just after Al Gore invented the Internet, Johnson was the founding sales leader of Clear Channel Radio’s Internet initiative, where she grew revenues from nothing to millions of dollars. She has also lead Interactive sales for Entercom Communications and Citadel Broadcasting. Additionally, Johnson ran sales for CityReach Latino, an out-of-home company who served the top eleven US Hispanic markets.

“I thought I was entering a contest to win tickets to a Guns N’ Roses reunion show, but an invite to this party is even better,” said Johnson. “The ‘new’ Tribune is revolutionizing content, sales, and promotion—this is the place to be right now. We’re utilizing our brands and serving our audiences in exciting new ways and we want creative and successful sales professionals to join us!”

Johnson is a resident of Florida, and a former waitress at “Knockers -The Place for Hot Racks and Cold Brews.” Asked if she feels ready to accept the new challenge, Johnson said, “I once won a contest at the restaurant up-selling shots to guys who asked for beer—how different can this be?”