GMG Axes Las Vegas Life Citing Wallet Woes

The Greenspun Media Group announced today that Las Vegas Life -- one of its arts, culture, dining and entertainment magazines -- will discontinue publishing after the April issue hits the stands. Michael T. Carr, president of Greenspun Media Group -- known in certain circles for his insincerity and underhandedness -- issued a corporate memo today saying most of the mag's employees have been placed "elsewhere" in the company. But he didn't specify who -- or how many employees -- were actually kicked to the curb.
It's really a shame -- at least for historians -- because Las Vegas Life was the first publication  Herman "Hank" Milton Greenspun created. And according a Vegas history website, it was the first to lose money when Hank was on his way to creating his media empire in the mid-1940s. Symbolically, its a drastic gesture on the part of GMG.
"It is with great regret that I also need to inform you that these evaluations also mean that we have instituted a reorganization of our operations," Carr lamented. "This reorganization is meant to bring more efficiency to the way we print, and distribute our magazines. And this unfortunately has also resulted in a slight reduction in work force. ... The affected employees have been informed of the re-positioning."
Also as of April, Las Vegas Life will become the name of an annual "Best Of" publication (for advertising's sake), and Carr said company officials "plan to use the title as the umbrella title in the development of our digital and interactive strategies online." Wow! Sounds like what we do here at TheVegasEye.com. The screaming question here is WHY? Carr blamed the economy, aggravated by housing prices and rising fuel costs.
"While Las Vegas remains insulated from several of these issues – we are not immune," he wrote. "As a result, our company has been examining all cost areas of operations, in an effort to preserve our future growth strategies, and balance them with the realities of today’s economics."
Carr apparently forgot to mention that the magazine was pimp-slapped on a regular basis by the competition that has popped up over the last few years. Competition is a good equalizer, remember. The editorial quality of consumer-based 944 speaks for itself.
What's really interesting is the axing of LV Life comes on the heels of Pat Kelly's resignation as publisher of GMG-owned LV Weekly.  Of course, at GMG, "Publisher" is shorthand for "Chief Censor Enforcing The Greenspun Family's Political And Personal Agendas."

 

The Dirty Dozen?

Saks Fifth Avenue To Benefit Nevada Cancer Institute

 

Is holding their 5th annual The Vegas Dozen 2008 The Men We Love And Why We Love Them On Wednesday, April 2, 2008 At 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Someone picked a few guys that are either big contributors or could be big contributors and then soiled the good names of the others with some real stinkers. 

 

The following are this years Vegas Dozen; Andre Agassi, Rino Armeni, Tim Cashman, Bruce Deifik, Michael Mecca, Michael E. Minden, Richard Plaster, Perry Rogers, John Schadler, Kendall Tenney, Richard A. Wright, Bernie Yuman.

 

 

Greedy Is As Greedy Does

 

Why is the local entertainment media determined to place the blame for the Vegas nightlife industry tipping scandal square on the shoulders of Pure Management Group and MGM Grand? It’s a HUGE industry and there’s LOTS of blame to go around. You know?

 

We’re not saying there aren’t greedy people scamming money throughout the local nightlife industry. Au contraire. But Norm Clarke and Robin Leach seem determined to take sides and convince the public that PMG and MGM are the smoking guns at the epicenter of the controversy. Xania Woodman, incidentally, seems to be fairly neutral on this front, sticking to the facts in her coverage of events. But Norm is using suspect, unnamed sources. While Leach, is throwing a lot of imbalance into his coverage by interjecting way too much personal opinion and disputable information.

 

Robin started his Tuesday blog on a somewhat factual note, quoting a recently-filed $90 million federal lawsuit accusing MGM promotional marketing partners of using terrorizing tactics and stealing confidential information.

 

The lawsuit (a story that Xania Woodman actually broke Sunday, praise The Lord) levels the allegations against the promotional marketing partners of MGM Grand’s Studio 54, its Tabu Ultra Lounge, the “opening soon” Wet Republic Pool Club and a nightspot planned to debut this fall on the hotel’s newly planned “club row.”

 

Leach contends the lawsuit puts the “world-famous DJ Tiesto (pictured) in the center of an epic struggle and our beloved Napkin Nights photo-femmes in a bruising tug-of-war. It even extends outwards to the involvement of major corporations such as Pepsi and Bacardi with the nightclub promotions.”

 

It’s obvious that Robin is trying hard here. But some of the stuff he reported is just plain wrong. A Pepsi executive who used to work for Mr. Leach tells us that Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiCo are NOT allowed to do promotions that involve alcohol or gaming. Any Pepsico attorney will confirm that in a heartbeat. They only thing they can promote is the shows, hotels, spas and entertainment.

 

Now, the casino-hotels DO get marketing money on a quarterly basis depending on how much product they sell at the fountain and in 20 ounce bottles. So we’ll forgive Robin his mistakes here. It’s AFTER he lists the facts that he goes seriously astray by taking sides against the defendants in the lawsuit. He describes the allegations against them as “disgraceful and disgusting” as if a jury had already rendered a verdict. Robin also was quick to mention the federal lawsuit “comes hard on the heels of the IRS raid on Pure nightclub and probes of its sister LAX new hotspot at the Luxor.” Beating PGM over the head with the blame stick once again.

 

In Norm’s column today he repeats a “Denver friend’s” allegation that an MGM VIP host tried to bilk him out of $300 after agreeing to pay as much as $4,000 for bachelor’s party bottles and tables. Purely gossip with no court documents, receipts or anything to back it up. Both Norm and Robin get preachy. Robin posits that “the shakedowns must end. The gouging must end. The violence and threats must end.” Norm suggests the city of Las Vegas sign add an outstretched hand to emphasize the greed of the nightclub profession. Robin has his heart in the right place. But Norm? I mean, how many free shows, food and drinks has he received over the years? I bet it tallies to a pretty large dollar amount. Before we start pointing fingers guys, I think we should step back and remember that no one has been convicted yet. So why don’t we wait a bit before we start handing out pitchforks and torches to the mob? And before you write anything else Norm, I want to ask: What’s in YOUR wallet?

 

The Jonathan Ogden Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament

 

 

Presented by the Las Vegas Founders kicks off on Sunday, April 27 with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, silent and live auctions and live entertainment at the Palms. The golf tournament is on Monday, April 28 with a shotgun start at SouthShore Golf Club and is followed by a reception and an awards ceremony. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Jonathan Ogden Foundation and the Las Vegas Founders Foundation, which benefit at-risk children in Baltimore and Las Vegas. To reserve a spot in the tournament or to find out more information, call the Las Vegas Founders at 702.242.3000

 

Prosecco at The Palazzo

 

The Palazzo Las Vegas' own Prosecco, a luxurious new high-end accessories boutique, makes its' debut in The Shoppes at The Palazzo. The chic boutique, which can only be found in The Shoppes at The Palazzo within Las Vegas' newest luxury resort, is "wowing" shoppers by carrying an extensive assortment of high-fashion jewelry, evening bags, day handbags and sunglasses by acclaimed designers from around the globe. "The unparalleled luxury of The Palazzo has attracted an impressive collection of world-renowned designers and brands, many of which are making their first Las Vegas appearance at The Palazzo," said Rob Goldstein, president and COO of The Palazzo Las Vegas. Prosecco is open Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until midnight. For additional information please call 702-607-3956.

 

Village Seafood Buffet is now open at the Rio

 

Having taken the buffet concept to new heights, the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is set to once again redefine the category with the Village Seafood Buffet’s that is now open. From customizable sushi prepared right in front of the guest to sommeliers available to pair seafood selections with the finest of wines, Village Seafood Buffet is Las Vegas’ only seafood buffet. From freshwater prawns from Indonesia to Pacific salmon, Alaskan king crab, Canadian snow crab, Shrimp from China and slipper tail lobster from Southeast Asia, the Village Seafood Buffet purchases more than 200 tons of fresh seafood annually. “With our year purchase the size that it is, this makes Village Seafood Buffet one of the largest buyers in the world,” says William Becker, vice president of food and beverage, the Rio. Village Seafood Buffet is open daily at 4pm, closing at 10pm. Sunday through Thursday and 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

 

Molly Sims dines at Dos Caminos

 

 

Actress Molly Sims dined at Dos Caminos on Saturday night with friends. A portion of the proceeds from the evening benefited Friends of El Faro. Molly is a huge fan of Dos Caminos and has Scott's Mod Mex cookbook. She's been making dishes from the book at home and wanted tips from Scott. On Sunday, Bridget Marquat from Girls Next Door was in for brunch, enjoying Asada Tacos and guacamole.

 

Politz To Leach: Eye Will Always Love You

 

Before I go any further I want to state one thing up front: I have nothing but respect for Robin Leach. For his accomplishments and his invaluable contributions to the field of entertainment journalism. But lately, Robin’s journalism train has seriously jumped the rails. Recently I voiced my concerns about the media dog pile and sensationalistic coverage of a February incident at the new Cathouse restaurant and nightclub at the Luxor in which a floor foundation dropped a few inches. Certainly, the incident deserved mentioning, but the “frothing at the mouth” approach that Robin, Xania Woodman and Norm "That wasn't me" Clarke used when covering for their respective publications smacked of overkill and sensationalism. It was as if instead of writing about what they actually saw or could confirm, they instead read one another’s columns first and parroted each other’s phrases and descriptions. Each column feeding on the other as if each writer in an American Idol-like contest to get the most outlandish adjectives past their editors.

 

Unfortunately, this is a huge problem with entertainment journalism these days. There really aren’t any rules. People get to make up stories on slow days or take small things and make them into big things. No consequences or repercussions.

 

I’m not saying Robin does this. To the contrary. He’s probably one of the best about not doing it. But I think he fell prey to professional competitiveness with his pals in the so-called “journalism in-crowd” and raised his level of hysteria up a notch to match theirs. I think he totally ignored his gut feeling and went with an exciting headline instead. My biggest problem with Robin’s recent column bashing thevegaseye.com is that he attacked my past, my character and the integrity and the very solid journalism ground this blog stands on instead of defending his journalistic argument. (You know, his “facts?”)

 

To quote Robin: “Could three lifelong journalists be wrong?” To be fair, Xania Woodman was once a beer slinger at Shadow Bar in Caesar’s. Norm, when he wasn’t breaking wind in crowded elevators, was once a sports writer in Denver. Not that there’s anything wrong with sports writing, but Normie hasn’t been “Gossip Gertrude” his entire career. Robin also criticized the way thevegaseye.com portrayed the Las Vegas Sun’s coverage of the IRS investigation of the Pure and LAX nightclub and the comments of two parents who claimed they were bilked out of $2,000 by tip-greedy club employees. Here’s the rub, Bub: We’re not criticizing that the Sun wrote about it. We’re criticizing the lack of balance in the story. Conspicuously absent in the Sun story was any mention of an upcoming excessive force trial against doorman at Rumjungle nightclub at Mandalay Bay.

 

 

A San Francisco firefighter claims his femur was broken by security guards in March 2004 after he refused to pay a security guard to reenter the club. This happened FOUR YEARS AGO. How difficult would it have been for the Sun to mention this in their story as an example of overall troubles in the industry? Or was the “investigative reporter” who wrote it more interested in focusing on Pure as the instrument of all things evil in this universe? To his credit, Robin put four “deliberately tough” questions about to Stephanie Wilson, who is on the payroll of our competitor and Gordon Absher. Gordon has a very public axe to grind against me.

 

The hard-hitting questions included such gems as:  “Is the reopening of cathouse now going to be at least another month as I have heard?" ... "Were there larger problems than were expected when the repair work began?" And my favorite, "Is it taking a lot longer than first predicted and if so why?” I don’t know if I would call these questions tough, but I DO love it when Robin lays the smack down. I really do. Everyone benefits. The readers. The consumers. Even advertisers. And in the twilight of his career, I am going to give Robin nothing but my unconditional support to lay the smack down on anyone he wants. Even if it’s me. But ask yourself this: Would Robin really have asked these “really tough questions” of Pure if I hadn’t pissed him off with my column? Is getting him outraged at something I wrote the only way to get him to bring his A-Game back to his journalism? If so, then I will gladly piss him off. Because the world really needs more Robin Leach at peak performance. Seriously. As far as I'm concerned, Robin is still my mentor and I’m still his prodigal son. That's never going to change. Hey Robin:

Sugar. Not vinegar.

 

 

---