Is Florence Fang Selling: Getting Out of the Publishing Business?
Earlier this year I accurately called the demise of the Examiner weeks before they went free on polifix. I did it through some insider information but most out of actions.
Knowing the business and the Fangs it wasnt hard to predict.
ANG the Alameda Newspaper Group owners of the Oakland Tribune, Hayward review and San Mateo Times, have always wanted to get hold of the Fang peninsula papers, Independents. Fang papers have always been a thorn on their backside, its no secret that Fang and ANG owner Dean Singleton have had numerous meetings and its also no secret that ANG want to monopolize the San Mateo county to improve their profit base for the San Mateo Times.
Now some inside moves have occurred with that recent hiring of a top-notch ANG executive last month to now another East Bay team member came on board at Fang publications.
The move is on that Florence Fang wants to divest from her publications, reputation destroyed especially among advertisers who have become aware of her frauds. The lackluster publications and lack of advertising compared to when they were bigger and stronger years back. Is a sign of the times have gone by.
The Fangs credibility as honest and sincere publishers among the Advertising world is gone, their last strong hold for survival was the Brown/Burton political machine with their apparent demise the Fang publications have also. The Hearst's $66 million gone, the public notices as far as I know is also gone.
The Fangs no longer have that political punch that they had three years ago. Most San Franciscans now know what they are about and do not take them as credible sources people like Warren Hinckle and Samson Wong are they really credible?
I believe that there is a transitional move going on between the Fangs and ANG. Florence is biting time for after the elections to complete the move, I wouldnt think that she would wait past January of next year.
If what its true about the sad apparent demise of Doug Fang who was her cornerstone recently in helping her manage her publications, keeping it together, I have no doubt that her will and interests of keeping her publications have diminished considerably.
Commentary: It's truly sad that the Fangs could have used such a precious gem like the Independent to do good for the city. Instead they opted out to compete with the Hearsts for the cache of money from the powerful business groups. Two voices taking virtually the same issues cannot exist in this city. The Hearst's are just too powerful and can take such loses as they did last year but unfortunately the Fangs weren't financially solvent to take such risks.
Marc Chamot
Earlier this year I accurately called the demise of the Examiner weeks before they went free on polifix. I did it through some insider information but most out of actions.
Knowing the business and the Fangs it wasnt hard to predict.
ANG the Alameda Newspaper Group owners of the Oakland Tribune, Hayward review and San Mateo Times, have always wanted to get hold of the Fang peninsula papers, Independents. Fang papers have always been a thorn on their backside, its no secret that Fang and ANG owner Dean Singleton have had numerous meetings and its also no secret that ANG want to monopolize the San Mateo county to improve their profit base for the San Mateo Times.
Now some inside moves have occurred with that recent hiring of a top-notch ANG executive last month to now another East Bay team member came on board at Fang publications.
The move is on that Florence Fang wants to divest from her publications, reputation destroyed especially among advertisers who have become aware of her frauds. The lackluster publications and lack of advertising compared to when they were bigger and stronger years back. Is a sign of the times have gone by.
The Fangs credibility as honest and sincere publishers among the Advertising world is gone, their last strong hold for survival was the Brown/Burton political machine with their apparent demise the Fang publications have also. The Hearst's $66 million gone, the public notices as far as I know is also gone.
The Fangs no longer have that political punch that they had three years ago. Most San Franciscans now know what they are about and do not take them as credible sources people like Warren Hinckle and Samson Wong are they really credible?
I believe that there is a transitional move going on between the Fangs and ANG. Florence is biting time for after the elections to complete the move, I wouldnt think that she would wait past January of next year.
If what its true about the sad apparent demise of Doug Fang who was her cornerstone recently in helping her manage her publications, keeping it together, I have no doubt that her will and interests of keeping her publications have diminished considerably.
Commentary: It's truly sad that the Fangs could have used such a precious gem like the Independent to do good for the city. Instead they opted out to compete with the Hearsts for the cache of money from the powerful business groups. Two voices taking virtually the same issues cannot exist in this city. The Hearst's are just too powerful and can take such loses as they did last year but unfortunately the Fangs weren't financially solvent to take such risks.
Marc Chamot
