Corporate owner of Paso Robles Press threatens ‘war’ on this newspaper
‘You want to go to war with us, we’ll go to war,’ says News Media Corp. President John Tompkins
News Media Corp. President John Tompkins, owner of the Paso Robles Press and more than 70 newspapers around the country, delivered a threatening message to Paso Robles Daily News and Access Publishing owner Scott Brennan.
News Media Corp.’s John Tompkins, owner of the Paso Robles Press and more than 70 newspapers around the country. Image from thoughts-about-god.com
“I just woke up and finally noticed what you are doing against us in Paso Robles, now Atascadero. You’ve got my attention now, so I’ll be coming after you, and personally,” Tompkins threatens in a voicemail to Brennan. “You want to go to war with us, we’ll go to war,” Tompkins says.
Brennan started the Paso Robles Daily News, a competitor of Tompkins’s Paso Robles Press, in October of 2012 to address a serious deficiency in local news, he says. “We started the Paso Robles Daily News to deliver news the way readers want it: timely, online, on Facebook, and for free,” Brennan says. Atascadero residents began asking for the same thing, he says, so he launched the Atascadero Daily News two months ago.
“This is clearly an attempt by a big media conglomerate to intimidate a local business and stifle an independent news source,” says Brennan. “We are not going to be bullied by some corporation from Chicago that thinks they have a monopoly on the news media in North San Luis Obispo County. We are working harder and doing a better job delivering timely, quality news.”
“Instead of competing in the marketplace, the owner of News Media Corp. decides to threaten us. It’s ridiculous. He called me to threaten our business and my family’s livelihood and I find that despicable,” Brennan says of the June 16 message.
“We’re proud of what we’ve done with the Paso Robles Daily News and Atascadero Daily News,” Brennan says. “We’ve grown to over 3500 daily email subscribers, over 40 daily advertisers, and we publish more than 50 local news stories a week. Our competition doesn’t even come close to those numbers,” he says. “Last month our news sites had over 250,000 page views,” he says.
Scott and Beth Brennan with their two children.
“I’m asking the local community to support us,” Brennan says. “You can choose to do business with a local family, or you can support an out-of-state bully who owns the Paso Robles Press and Atascadero News.”
Brennan worked for News Media Corp. from 1995 to 2006, before leaving to start a new company, Access Publishing, with his wife Beth. They live in Paso Robles where they are raising two children. Scott is a member of the Paso Robles Rotary and sits on the Paso Robles Planning Commission. Beth is a board member of the Paso Robles Children’s Museum and member of the Atascadero Rotary. In June, she was awarded Rotarian of the Year.
Access Publishing provides marketing opportunities for local businesses. It has 11 employees. The company offers online marketing, Internet advertising, web design, search engine optimization, article writing and graphic design. It creates magazines, guides and directories in San Luis Obispo County, including the Paso Robles Daily News, Atascadero Daily News, San Luis Obispo County Visitors Guide, North County Access phone book, Cambria Phone Book, Heritage Ranch Directory and Oak Shores Directory.
News Media Corp., Inc. publishes community newspapers for readers and advertisers in the United States. According to Bloomberg, the company was founded in 1975. It’s president is John C. Tompkins. It is headquartered in Rochelle, Illinois with locations in California, Oregon, South Dakota, Colorado, Illinois, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Nebraska. It has press operations in Arizona, California, Oregon, South Dakota, Colorado, Illinois, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
See follow up story:
News Media Corp. sends Access Publishing ‘cease and desist’ letter and threatens lawsuit
Please know I've got your back, as not only have you helped me on a professional level with helping me build my business and clientele base, you're good people.
Scott and Beth, you should know that these local communities show their support in many ways. We are all family. Best wishes – your local community family is behind you all the way.
That is utterly amazing! This guy doesn't seem to understand that competition is the very foundation of business and should always be expected. If he wants to compete that's great; step up your game and go for it. But to make such an obviously threatening phone call is arrogant and immature at best. It was smart to save the recording and to publish this.
I support you 100% 🙂 this is ridiculous! Such a typical money hungry, attention seeking corporate thing to do!!!
I just ripped up my check to Paso Robles Press. Not cool. Supporting you Paso Robles Daily News.
If it's a corporation, how can he "personally" own these media outlets? Anyway, local ownership, free and independent newspapers are welcomed and supported in the very independent north county. Welcome to town!
Wow. I am glad to leave that corporation. Keep up the good work Scott.
Scott and Beth, you have my wholehearted support
Grigger Jones
Wow.He is feeling threatened. Good! You guys called me back when i had a story and they dont three times. I look forward to reading your stories daily. Thank you.
Wow.He is feeling threatened. Good! You guys called me back when i had a story and they dont three times. I look forward to reading your stories daily. Thank you.
Going to 'war'? Seriously? Corporate media has never understood what IS Paso Robles – his comments will only expedite their demise. Status quo for you and your team Scott!
Paso has always been a town of small, family-owned businesses. Please keep doing what you're doing.
This is almost funny in that the Paso Robles Press has pretty much been a joke for many years. I am so glad that PR Daily News and Atascadero Daily News are right there on my email every day. Will NEVER buy a Paso Robles Press or Atascadero News again!!
The Paso Robles Daily News is a raging success on all levels. You're delivering quality reporting in a timely manner in the right way for the right price. Congratulations for a job well done!
Stick to your guns, Scott Brennan. This guy is a tool. Mary Baker, could this be your first freelance article for Access?
We support local businesses & local owners! Keep it real, keep it local. "805"
Paso Robles Press shame on you! I will never view their page again and will never pay them for any service including my Fictitious Business Name.
Paso Robles Press shame on you! I will never view their page again and will never pay them for any service including my Fictitious Business Name.
Paso Robles Press shame on you! I will never view their page again and will never pay them for any service including my Fictitious Business Name.
Paso Robles Press shame on you! I will never view their page again and will never pay them for any service including my Fictitious Business Name.
Did you check out Tompkins Jesus video? Another hypocrite!
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/videos/tompkins_newsmedia.html
Hes needs to get back to his war with that gin and tonic….
Hes needs to get back to his war with that gin and tonic….
Hes needs to get back to his war with that gin and tonic….
You must be doing something right! Keep it up
John's comments do seem "godlike", but not very
Christian.
OMG!! Cannot believe what I read..
Scott will always support your local news!!
I support you Brennan's!!
What is the best way to support you, Scott? I'll mobilize supporters to help you face this bully!
Scott and Beth: Sounds like Mr. Thompkins has been taking lessons from Mr. Trump. Hang in there. The entire community has your 6:00.
Scott and Beth, You are both 10s. Every business day, we all have our business joys and some things happen because the "other guy" misunderstands what we are doing and or what we said. Your immediately exposure of this threat is super smart, especially the phone call.
Wow! I am so proud of you and it just shows how on the ball you are. We have your back!
The Paso Robles Daily news is part of my morning routine. Sticking here with the locals.
Despicable. Just signed up for Atascadero Daily news in addition to Paso.
Crazy! This is where I come to find out what is going on in Paso Robles! I've been here since 1946…..
Please recommend us to locals, patronize our advertisers and send us new ones! Thanks so much, Shirley!
Scott, lets us know that you are doing a great job and you are making an impact on big bad competitor. I think he just lost a a whole more clients by their antics. Keep up the good work!!
.
It is so sad when playground bullies refuse to grow up! Scott and Beth are good people that live here in our community and support our local business we need to support them and stay local!
It is so sad when playground bullies refuse to grow up! Scott and Beth are good people that live here in our community and support our local business we need to support them and stay local!
It is so sad when playground bullies refuse to grow up! Scott and Beth are good people that live here in our community and support our local business we need to support them and stay local!
Oh ya did you notice the wish you luck statement? Such cockyness. Freedom of the press! Freedom of speech! He is the one bringing on the WAR. Stand your ground. Your army is strong!
I work for a attorney next door to Access and every person in our office receives our Paso news from Access. They are kind and courteous people not to mention hard working. Support our locals friends! Who else who know our news better than a company who posts themselves directly in the middle of our town. Great Job Guys keep up the great work.
I'm sorry but did he just say "I finally woke up" and he "tolerated your phone book business"? HA HA HA HA !! You blew by that guy with the way you've reinvented and evolved your business. Meanwhile his wretched old paper hasn't changed in years. And he trys to throw Jason under the bus too?? Keep up the great work Scott and Beth.
He can't be much of a businessman if 1) he just woke up and 2) he can't take a little competition and 3) he leaves his threat on a voicemail! Hang in there, Scott!
He can't be much of a businessman if 1) he just woke up and 2) he can't take a little competition and 3) he leaves his threat on a voicemail! Hang in there, Scott!
You have my support.
Honestly. I've never felt it was smart to ever threaten anyone from Paso.
Video playing to pseudo religious – greedy hypocritical worshipers of the Almighty Dollar-Don't we have more than enough of those around here?
The Paso Press has been so lousy for so long, sorry but true. Maybe competition is the impetus you need to improve. You should look to yourself and your product instead of making g this personal.
This is clearly a pathetic attempt at intimidating your competition and is not at all the way a legitimate business should operate. I very much appreciate the coverage of the Paso Robles Daily News of local events in our area and I encourage you to keep up the good work.
Everyone is focusing on the negative aspects of Mr. Tomkins' message but ignoring his act of kindness in "tolerating" the Brennans' directory business for so long. Nobody in the U.S. should be forced to tolerate business competition. (Sarcasm, in case it wasn't obvious.)
Please know I've got your back, as not only have you helped me on a professional level with helping me build my business and clientele base, you're good people.
Scott and Beth, you should know that these local communities show their support in many ways. We are all family. Best wishes – your local community family is behind you all the way.
That is utterly amazing! This guy doesn't seem to understand that competition is the very foundation of business and should always be expected. If he wants to compete that's great; step up your game and go for it. But to make such an obviously threatening phone call is arrogant and immature at best. It was smart to save the recording and to publish this.
I support you 100% 🙂 this is ridiculous! Such a typical money hungry, attention seeking corporate thing to do!!!
I just ripped up my check to Paso Robles Press. Not cool. Supporting you Paso Robles Daily News.
If it's a corporation, how can he "personally" own these media outlets? Anyway, local ownership, free and independent newspapers are welcomed and supported in the very independent north county. Welcome to town!
Wow. I am glad to leave that corporation. Keep up the good work Scott.
Scott and Beth, you have my wholehearted support
Grigger Jones
Wow.He is feeling threatened. Good! You guys called me back when i had a story and they dont three times. I look forward to reading your stories daily. Thank you.
Wow.He is feeling threatened. Good! You guys called me back when i had a story and they dont three times. I look forward to reading your stories daily. Thank you.
Going to 'war'? Seriously? Corporate media has never understood what IS Paso Robles – his comments will only expedite their demise. Status quo for you and your team Scott!
Paso has always been a town of small, family-owned businesses. Please keep doing what you're doing.
This is almost funny in that the Paso Robles Press has pretty much been a joke for many years. I am so glad that PR Daily News and Atascadero Daily News are right there on my email every day. Will NEVER buy a Paso Robles Press or Atascadero News again!!
The Paso Robles Daily News is a raging success on all levels. You're delivering quality reporting in a timely manner in the right way for the right price. Congratulations for a job well done!
Stick to your guns, Scott Brennan. This guy is a tool. Mary Baker, could this be your first freelance article for Access?
We support local businesses & local owners! Keep it real, keep it local. "805"
Paso Robles Press shame on you! I will never view their page again and will never pay them for any service including my Fictitious Business Name.
Paso Robles Press shame on you! I will never view their page again and will never pay them for any service including my Fictitious Business Name.
Paso Robles Press shame on you! I will never view their page again and will never pay them for any service including my Fictitious Business Name.
Paso Robles Press shame on you! I will never view their page again and will never pay them for any service including my Fictitious Business Name.
Did you check out Tompkins Jesus video? Another hypocrite!
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/videos/tompkins_newsmedia.html
Hes needs to get back to his war with that gin and tonic….
Hes needs to get back to his war with that gin and tonic….
Hes needs to get back to his war with that gin and tonic….
You must be doing something right! Keep it up
John's comments do seem "godlike", but not very
Christian.
OMG!! Cannot believe what I read..
Scott will always support your local news!!
I support you Brennan's!!
What is the best way to support you, Scott? I'll mobilize supporters to help you face this bully!
Scott and Beth: Sounds like Mr. Thompkins has been taking lessons from Mr. Trump. Hang in there. The entire community has your 6:00.
Scott and Beth, You are both 10s. Every business day, we all have our business joys and some things happen because the "other guy" misunderstands what we are doing and or what we said. Your immediately exposure of this threat is super smart, especially the phone call.
Wow! I am so proud of you and it just shows how on the ball you are. We have your back!
The Paso Robles Daily news is part of my morning routine. Sticking here with the locals.
Despicable. Just signed up for Atascadero Daily news in addition to Paso.
Crazy! This is where I come to find out what is going on in Paso Robles! I've been here since 1946…..
Please recommend us to locals, patronize our advertisers and send us new ones! Thanks so much, Shirley!
Scott, lets us know that you are doing a great job and you are making an impact on big bad competitor. I think he just lost a a whole more clients by their antics. Keep up the good work!!
.
It is so sad when playground bullies refuse to grow up! Scott and Beth are good people that live here in our community and support our local business we need to support them and stay local!
It is so sad when playground bullies refuse to grow up! Scott and Beth are good people that live here in our community and support our local business we need to support them and stay local!
It is so sad when playground bullies refuse to grow up! Scott and Beth are good people that live here in our community and support our local business we need to support them and stay local!
Oh ya did you notice the wish you luck statement? Such cockyness. Freedom of the press! Freedom of speech! He is the one bringing on the WAR. Stand your ground. Your army is strong!
I work for a attorney next door to Access and every person in our office receives our Paso news from Access. They are kind and courteous people not to mention hard working. Support our locals friends! Who else who know our news better than a company who posts themselves directly in the middle of our town. Great Job Guys keep up the great work.
I'm sorry but did he just say "I finally woke up" and he "tolerated your phone book business"? HA HA HA HA !! You blew by that guy with the way you've reinvented and evolved your business. Meanwhile his wretched old paper hasn't changed in years. And he trys to throw Jason under the bus too?? Keep up the great work Scott and Beth.
He can't be much of a businessman if 1) he just woke up and 2) he can't take a little competition and 3) he leaves his threat on a voicemail! Hang in there, Scott!
He can't be much of a businessman if 1) he just woke up and 2) he can't take a little competition and 3) he leaves his threat on a voicemail! Hang in there, Scott!
You have my support.
Honestly. I've never felt it was smart to ever threaten anyone from Paso.
Video playing to pseudo religious – greedy hypocritical worshipers of the Almighty Dollar-Don't we have more than enough of those around here?
The Paso Press has been so lousy for so long, sorry but true. Maybe competition is the impetus you need to improve. You should look to yourself and your product instead of making g this personal.
This is clearly a pathetic attempt at intimidating your competition and is not at all the way a legitimate business should operate. I very much appreciate the coverage of the Paso Robles Daily News of local events in our area and I encourage you to keep up the good work.
Everyone is focusing on the negative aspects of Mr. Tomkins' message but ignoring his act of kindness in "tolerating" the Brennans' directory business for so long. Nobody in the U.S. should be forced to tolerate business competition. (Sarcasm, in case it wasn't obvious.)