Me Today
Posted Jun 25, 2022, 8:50 PM UTC
8922
I’m just waiting for a reporter to goof the sign-off: “for VPR new- damnit, vermont public”
23
It'll be Mitch.
3
UPDATE: at the 8:34 sponsor read, mitch did say “funding for vpr is provided- excuse me, vermont public”
3
Fixing what wasn't broken.
And if they really had to change it to encompass all of the platforms they're on, why not "Vermont Public Media"? At least it would have sounded like a complete thought.
13
I always feel like they’re losing their train of thought partway through. Guess I’ll get used to it though. I fear them undermining the radio portion to support public access TV which I never watch.
11
PBS and public access are very very different
1
The DJ’s all sound like they’ve smoked a bowl before they went on the air
0
Right? Hate it
10
Agreed. Vermont Public -Radio and Vermont Public -television would have been a fine way to handle it.
10
I don't get why they didn't just call themselves Vermont Public Media, others already exist with a similar name like American Public Media, it would've fit in just fine
5
VPR was so much better
3
And they have broken web pages.
Not a smooth transition and a really annoying tag line.
1
Anyone got extra VPR euros I can save for my future cars?
1
Underscores the terrible name change. It eliminates shorthand at a time where shorthand is all anybody wants.
2
Rebranding is hard especially for a nonprofit that has every generation working there (but decisions are from the top & board), and they merged to be the largest nonprofit media in the state. Let’s try to support them during their transition. Their pbs content is used for children across the state, the news from both sides vpr/pbs will get even better over time, let’s come together and support Vermont Public.
-2
I’ve been listening to VPR for 30+ years. I gave them money for the first time when I was 7 years old. To your point, I haven’t watched VPT since I was a kid.
I think we all can like and continue to support these organizations and their employees while also recognizing the branding blunder that was absolutely made by management and the board.
We’ll all forget about it in 3 months! It will give me pause when it comes to pledge drives. Am I giving to both VPR and VPT? How much goes to one vs the other? How much goes to buying the kids content you mentioned etc. etc.
Also, There is a reason that we don’t call Google “Alphabet” or Facebook “Meta” because those incredibly successful companies recognized the value of brand equity and retained their product names, while changing their corporate name. Sub brands are common. Why wasn’t that considered?
4
Also, now im gonna just feel like my sticker is supporting the vice president. or claiming im a VP at a company. VPR had ties to NPR branding... now it feels cheap like RT or something...
1
It will be a fast three months! Hah. They hired a local consultant. They sourced feedback internally. But as you said the “blunder that was absolutely made by management and the board” is how it played out. If anything this could be a good point to gain new audiences
1
Rebranding is absolutely hard, and its kind of frustrating knowing my donation money is going to what feels (to me) very unnecessary. Of course I will continue to support, but it makes the pledge drive begging for donations to stay on air and pay employees feel cheaper.
1
You now support the largest public media in the state! But yes they hired a local consultant, sourced internal feedback, did the whole process. But as others have eluded to in this post, management and board made the final decision, for better or worse it’s now Vermont Public
1
It's terrible. Did they test it out with any real humans first?
They hired a local consultancy.