DEEP DIVISION BETWEEN LONELY PLANET PRINT AND ONLINE DIVISIONS
November 22nd 2009 00:25
Provocative Aussie website Crikey on Friday published an internal Lonely Planet email from global publishing chief Piers Pickard pointing out that the print edition of the company’s Czech & Slovak Republics guidebook gives a disparaging review of the company’s website for the region.
The email reads, “From: Piers Pickard
Sent: 19 November 2009 18:07
Subject: If you find things that shouldn't be in our books
To: Everyone at LP – Global
Hi everyone,
I've just found an awful and embarrassing review in one of our books.
In our current Czech & Slovak Republics guidebook, we say this:
‘INTERNET RESOURCES
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com) Supposedly a fantastic site for travellers, but we’re a bit dubious.’
This book was published in April 2007, so that's what travellers have been reading for 2-and-a-half years now. It's disgraceful.
I'm thankful to say that it's come to my attention because the next edition is in-house, and the editor has raised it to their manager.
So I want everyone in the company to know that if you EVER see anything in one of our guidebooks like this, or anything that you think is offensive and doesn't meet our high editorial standards, please let me know immediately.
If you can't get in touch with me, tell Martin Heng. Failing that, tell anyone in editorial and we will fix it.
Thank you.”
Crikey confirmed that the offending page does exist, and published a copy.
Crikey then added, “The background to Piers' missive is an interesting one, insiders day. One of the conditions of the BBC buying 75 percent of the company in October 2007 was the development of proper editorial principles to fit with those of its public broadcasting mothership.
“There remains significant dissent in the online division over the Lonely Planet website, which internal critics have described as sub-optimal and which has been blamed for the company's record dip into the red in the last financial year. Staff turnover in the digital department is said to be vigorous.
“Meanwhile, UK Tory leader David Cameron and James Murdoch have declared war on the BBC's GBP90 million (US$150 million) takeover as an example of an unwelcome taxpayer-funded intrusion into the private sphere. Three weeks ago it was revealed that founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler's put option on their remaining 25 percent stake in the business had been extended, as rumours swirled the public broadcaster would soon cut and run under renewed political pressure
The email reads, “From: Piers Pickard
Sent: 19 November 2009 18:07
Subject: If you find things that shouldn't be in our books
To: Everyone at LP – Global
Hi everyone,
I've just found an awful and embarrassing review in one of our books.
In our current Czech & Slovak Republics guidebook, we say this:
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com) Supposedly a fantastic site for travellers, but we’re a bit dubious.’
This book was published in April 2007, so that's what travellers have been reading for 2-and-a-half years now. It's disgraceful.
I'm thankful to say that it's come to my attention because the next edition is in-house, and the editor has raised it to their manager.
So I want everyone in the company to know that if you EVER see anything in one of our guidebooks like this, or anything that you think is offensive and doesn't meet our high editorial standards, please let me know immediately.
If you can't get in touch with me, tell Martin Heng. Failing that, tell anyone in editorial and we will fix it.
Thank you.”
Crikey confirmed that the offending page does exist, and published a copy.
Crikey then added, “The background to Piers' missive is an interesting one, insiders day. One of the conditions of the BBC buying 75 percent of the company in October 2007 was the development of proper editorial principles to fit with those of its public broadcasting mothership.
“Meanwhile, UK Tory leader David Cameron and James Murdoch have declared war on the BBC's GBP90 million (US$150 million) takeover as an example of an unwelcome taxpayer-funded intrusion into the private sphere. Three weeks ago it was revealed that founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler's put option on their remaining 25 percent stake in the business had been extended, as rumours swirled the public broadcaster would soon cut and run under renewed political pressure
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