Editing Houston Press

{{short description|Online newspaper in Houston, Texas, US}}
{{for|the Scripps Howard newspaper (1911–64)|Houston Press (Scripps Howard)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox newspaper
| name = Houston Press
| logo = Houston Press logo 2023.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| image = <!--[[Image:Houston Press front page.jpg|225px|border|{{deletable image-caption}}]]-->
| type = [[Online publication]]
| format = [[Online]]
| foundation = 1989
| price = 
| owners = Unknown
| founder = Chris Hearne and John Wilburn
| publisher = Stuart Folb
| editor = Margaret Downing
| language = English
| circulation = 43,810
| circulation_date = June 2016
| circulation_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcas3.auditedmedia.com/ecirc/magtitlesearch.asp |title=eCirc for Consumer Magazines |date=December 31, 2013 |publisher=[[Alliance for Audited Media]] |access-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170123200306/http://abcas3.auditedmedia.com/ecirc/magtitlesearch.asp |archive-date=January 23, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| ISSN = 
| headquarters = [[Houston]], [[Texas]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.houstonpress.com}}
}}
[[File:Houstonpresslabranchformermidtownhq.jpg|thumb|Former ''Houston Press'' headquarters in [[Midtown Houston]]]]

The '''''Houston Press''''' is an [[online newspaper]] published in [[Houston]], [[Texas]], [[United States]]. It is headquartered in the [[Midtown Houston|Midtown]] area. It was also a weekly print newspaper until November 2017.

The publication is supported entirely by [[advertising]] revenue and is free to readers. It reports a monthly readership of 1.6 million online users.<ref name="About">{{cite news|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/about/|title=Houston Press: About Us|newspaper=Houston Press |access-date=2007-01-26}}</ref> Prior to the 2017 cessation of the print edition, the ''Press'' was found in restaurants, coffee houses, and local retail stores. New weekly editions were distributed on Thursdays.

==History==
The [[alt-weekly]] ''Houston Press'' was founded in 1989<ref>{{cite news|last1=Routon|first1=Ralph|title=Believe it or not: New Gazette publisher sounds excited about the future but shifty about his past|url=http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/believe-it-or-not/Content?oid=1328013|access-date=25 January 2017|newspaper=[[Colorado Springs Independent]]|date=February 26, 2009|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107113956/https://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/believe-it-or-not/Content?oid=1328013|url-status=dead}}</ref> by John Wilburn, Chris Hearne<ref name="Glassman">{{cite book |last1=Glassman |first1=James |title=The Houstorian Calendar: Today in Houston History |date=2019 |publisher=History Press |location=Charleston, S.C. |isbn=978-1-4671-3987-8 |page=162}}</ref> (founder of Austin's ''Third Coast Magazine'') and Kirk Cypel (a vice president of a Houston-based investment group) conceived of this news and entertainment weekly after rejecting a business plan to relaunch ''Texas Business Magazine''.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}

Hearne and John Wilburn, who previously managed the Sunday magazine of the ''[[Dallas Morning News]]'',<ref name=Hardyreq>{{cite magazine|author=Hardy, Michael|url=https://www.texasobserver.org/requiem-alt-weekly-houston-press/|title=Requiem for an Alt-Weekly|magazine=[[Texas Observer]]|date=2017-12-14|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> jointly established the magazine.{{r|Glassman}} Hearne was the paper's first publisher and Cypel served as the organization's business advisor. Although the paper faced early challenges, the landscape changed when Hearne and Cypel engineered a buyout of ''713 Magazine'', a key competitor. Once in control of 713, they stopped its publication and converted advertisers to the ''Houston Press''. Thereafter, the ''Houston Press''{{'}}s advertising and circulation grew dramatically.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} Prior to the establishment of the ''Houston Press'', the city did not have a major alternative weekly publication. Its original cover story was about the election of the [[Mayor of Houston]].<ref name=Hardyreq/>

For the newspaper's first five years, Niel Morgan served as the investor,<ref>Tyer, Brad. "Mama Ninfa and her Comeback Kids." ''Houston Press''. Thursday August 6, 1998. [http://www.houstonpress.com/1998-08-06/news/mama-ninfa-and-her-comeback-kids/ 1]. Retrieved on February 4, 2012.</ref> and therefore the owner; Morgan was a real estate developer. Due to Wilburn's desire to get mainstream advertising, he chose not to run sexually-oriented advertising. After Wilburn and Morgan found themselves disagreeing over aspects of the paper, Wilburn quit. In the period before 1993 the ''Houston Press'' experienced financial difficulties. That year, Morgan sold the paper<ref name=Hardyreq/> to New Times Media.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vane |first1=Sharyn |date=November 1998 |title=Consider the Alternative |journal=[[American Journalism Review]] |url=http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=912 |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606165524/http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=912 |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Sexually-oriented advertising appeared after the sale. The paper's fortunes improved due to the [[dot-com bubble]] of 1997–2001 and the increase in advertising;<ref name=Hardyreq/> it was one of the first alternative weeklies in the United States to establish a website.<ref name=Najarroceases>{{cite news|author=Najarro, Ileana|url=http://www.chron.com/business/article/Houston-Press-to-cease-print-publication-12330482.php|title=Houston Press ceases print publication|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2017-11-03|access-date=2017-11-04|quote=The Press, one of the nation's first alt weeklies to have an online presence.}}</ref> In 1998 ''Houston Press'' acquired the assets of an alternative paper, ''[[Public News (Houston)|Public News]]'', that was ceasing operations. Employees of ''Public News''<nowiki>'</nowiki> sales department began working for the ''Houston Press''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Carroll, Chris|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/1998/07/20/newscolumn3.html|title=Houston Press acquires Public News assets as alternative folds|newspaper=[[Houston Business Journal]]|date=1998-07-20|access-date=2017-11-04}}</ref> That year Margaret Downing became the primary editor. There were 23 reporters and editors in 1998. Michael Hardy stated in the ''[[Texas Observer]]'' that the "heyday" of the paper was around 2004.<ref name=Hardyreq/>

Advertising-related income declined due to the rise of persons reading articles online, as well as the establishment of [[Craigslist]].<ref name=Hardyreq/> In 2005, New Times acquired [[Village Voice Media]], and changed its name to [[Village Voice Media]].<ref>{{cite news |title= The Village Voice, Pushing 50, Prepares to Be Sold to a Chain of Weeklies |author= Richard Siklos |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/24/business/24voice.html |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |date= October 24, 2005|access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> In September 2012, Village Voice Media executives Scott Tobias, Christine Brennan and Jeff Mars bought Village Voice Media's papers and associated web properties from its founders and formed [[Voice Media Group]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Village Voice Media Execs Acquire The Company's Famed Alt Weeklies, Form New Holding Company|date=September 24, 2012 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/23/voice-media-group-acquisition/|publisher=Tech Crunch|access-date=27 September 2012}}</ref> The paper's fortunes declined, as [[Backpage]], which separated from Village Voice Media, had contributed significant funding.<ref name=Hardyreq/>

On November 3, 2017, Voice Media Group announced that it would cease printing of the ''Press'', moving to online-only publication,<ref name="Johnson">{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Laurie |date=3 November 2017 |title=Houston Press Abruptly Ends Print Publication |work=Houston Public Media |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2017/11/03/248483/houston-press-abruptly-ends-print-publication/amp/ |access-date=2021-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=November 3, 2017 |title=Voice Media Group Sheds Legacy Newsprint Operations in Houston and Los Angeles |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/the-houston-press-shutters-its-print-operation-9931298 |newspaper=Houston Press |access-date=November 3, 2017}}</ref> and that the paper would only use freelance journalists.{{r|Johnson}}<ref>{{cite news |author=Downing, Margaret |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/saying-goodbye-to-the-houston-press-in-print-9931333|title=The Presses Have Stopped, But the Press Lives On|newspaper=Houston Press|date=2017-11-03|access-date=2017-11-04}}</ref> Voice Media Group cited [[Hurricane Harvey]] as the final factor behind the cessation, and Downing stated that a recession in the oil industry and the decline of revenue from advertising contributed to the decision. The majority of the ''Press'' employees,<ref name=Pulsinelliendsp>{{cite news|author=Pulsinelli, Olivia|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/11/03/houston-press-ends-print-product-cuts-staff.html|title=Houston Press ends print product, cuts staff |newspaper=[[Houston Business Journal]]|date=2017-11-03|access-date=2017-11-04}}</ref> including nine full-time editorial staff members and at least six employees on the advertising staff,<ref name=Najarroceases/> lost their jobs.<ref name=Pulsinelliendsp/> Downing and publisher Stuart Folb continued,<ref name=Hardyreq/> along with a small advertising staff and marketing manager.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} The online-only scenario was a compromise reached by Downing and Folb with the owners, who initially wished to completely shut the paper down.<ref name=Hardyreq/>

In 2021, Voice Media Group sold the ''Houston Press'' to an anonymous buyer.<ref name="sold">{{cite news |last1=Devadanam |first1=Steven |title=Pioneering Houston alternative media outlet sold to mysterious new owner |url=https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/11-09-21-houston-press-sells-voice-media-group-new-buyer-margaret-downing-stuart-folb/ |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=CultureMap Houston |date=9 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Content==
Hardy stated that the ''Houston Press'', known for its coverage of the [[culture of Houston]], was like a "[[court jester]]" compared to the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' being the "king" of Houston's journalism industry; he added "Its music and arts listings were more comprehensive and reliable than those of the ''Chronicle'', which often seemed painfully out of touch, and it had the best critics in the city."<ref name=Hardyreq/> He added that "The ''Press'' established a reputation for punching above its weight" in regards to investigative journalism, citing how an article led to the exoneration of [[Roy Criner]].<ref name=Hardyreq/>

The publication included John Nova Lomax's articles on the cityscape and music as well as [[Robb Walsh]]'s articles on the [[cuisine of Houston]].<ref name=Hardyreq/>

==Headquarters==
The headquarters of the ''Houston Press'' are located in [[Midtown Houston]] on McGowen Street.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/about|title=About Us|work=Houston Press|access-date=2019-11-09|quote=Address: 1500 McGowen St., Suite 120 Houston, TX 77004}}</ref>

Prior to 1998,<ref name=Garza1>Garza, Abrahán. "Spaced City The ''Houston Press'' Moves to New Digs, From Downtown to Midtown." ''Houston Press''. October 25, 2013. p. [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2013/10/houston_press_moves_to_new_dig.php 1] ([https://archive.today/20131026045840/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2013/10/houston_press_moves_to_new_dig.php Archive]). Retrieved on October 25, 2013.</ref> the ''Houston Press'' was located in Suite 1900 of the 2000 West Loop South building in [[Uptown Houston]],<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/19980129132709/http://houstonpress.com/about/staff.html Houston Press Staff]." () ''Houston Press''. January 29, 1998. Retrieved on October 26, 2013. "''Houston Press'' mailing address: 2000 West Loop South Suite 1900 Houston Texas 77027"</ref><ref>"[http://www.uptown-houston.com/images/uploads/TIRZ%20and%20District-13(1).jpg TIRZ%20and%20District-13(1).jpg]." ([https://archive.today/20131026052122/http://www.uptown-houston.com/images/uploads/TIRZ%20and%20District-13(1).jpg Archive]) Uptown Houston. Retrieved on October 26, 2013.</ref> off of the [[610 Loop]] West Loop. In 1998,<ref name=Garza1/> it moved to a new location in [[Downtown Houston]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090417151337/http://www.houstonpress.com/about/index "About Us"] () Houston Press. Retrieved on August 7, 2009. "1621 Milam Ste. 100, Houston, TX 77002 "</ref> which became the ''Houston Press'' building and was originally built in 1927.<ref name=Garza1/> That building is in close proximity to the [[ExxonMobil Building]].<ref>Connelly, Richard. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/06/exxonmobil_north_houston.php ExxonMobil Making Big Move To North Houston] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904073025/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/06/exxonmobil_north_houston.php |date=September 4, 2011 }}." ''Houston Press''. Tuesday June 7, 2011. Retrieved on March 4, 2012.</ref>

Shelor Motor Company was the building's first occupant and used it as an automobile showroom.<ref>{{cite news|author=Flynn, George|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/the-press-15-rounds-and-counting-6549503|title=The ''Press'': 15 Rounds and Counting|newspaper=Houston Press|date=2005-05-05|access-date=2017-11-04}}</ref> Beginning in the 1960s,<ref name=Garza1/> the facility served as the Gillman [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] dealership building.<ref>Garza, Abrahán. "Old Houston Photos Mashed with Modern Houston, Part 2." ''Houston Press''. Monday May 7, 2012. [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/old_new_photo_mashups_2.php 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510063911/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/old_new_photo_mashups_2.php |date=May 10, 2012 }}. Retrieved on May 7, 2012.</ref> In 1994 Suzanne Sellers painted a {{convert|50|ft|m|adj=on}} by {{convert|240|ft|m|adj=on}} [[trompe-l'œil]] mural around two of the building's sides. It is visible from Leeland, Milam, and Travis streets.<ref name=Garza1/> In 2008 the ''Houston Press'' building received damage from [[Hurricane Ike]] since the hurricane caused water to go through the parking area on the building's roof into the offices. In 2010 the ''Houston Press'' installed new energy efficient windows in place of the original glass windows on the facility's second and third floors.<ref name=Garza2/> On the weekend after Friday October 25, 2013 the ''Houston Press'' was scheduled to move to its new offices in Midtown,<ref name=Garza1/> then on 2603 LaBranch Street.<ref name=Garza2>Garza, Abrahán. "Spaced City The ''Houston Press'' Moves to New Digs, From Downtown to Midtown." ''Houston Press''. October 25, 2013. p. [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2013/10/houston_press_moves_to_new_dig.php?page=2 2] ([https://archive.today/20131026050859/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2013/10/houston_press_moves_to_new_dig.php?page=2 Archive]). Retrieved on October 25, 2013. "Our new address will be 2603 La Branch Street, Houston TX 77004"</ref>

==Awards==
[[File:HoustonPressHoustonTX.JPG|thumb|Former ''Houston Press'' headquarters in [[Downtown Houston]]]]
Up until the November 2017 loss of salaried staff, the ''Houston Press'' won various awards for its coverage.<ref name=Hardyreq/>

Awards from the [[Association of Alternative Newsweeklies]]:

2007
*First Place, Feature Story;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aan.org/alternative/Aan/AwardsView?awardCategory=Feature%20Story&year=2007|title=Awards: Feature Story 2007|year=2007|work=Association of Alternative Newsweeklies|access-date=9 June 2010}}</ref> Third Place, Investigative Reporting<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aan.org/alternative/Aan/AwardsView?awardCategory=Investigative%20Reporting&year=2007|title=AltWeeklies.com|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> Todd Spivak
*First Place, Music Criticism; Second Place, Arts Feature John Nova Lomax
*Second Place, News Story/Long Form, [[Craig Malisow]]

2005
*Honorable Mention, Column above 50,000: "Downing" by Margaret Downing
*3rd Place, Education: Above 50,000: "HCCS's Gift Basket Bonanza" by Josh Harkinson
*2nd Place, Food Writing: Above 50,000: "The Cow Says Oink" by [[Robb Walsh]]
*3rd Place, News Story (1500 words or less): "Firing Line" by Josh Harkinson

2004
*2nd Place, Column-Political: Above 50,000: Tim Fleck
*1st Place, Food Writing: Above 50,000: Robb Walsh
*3rd Place, Religion Reporting: Above 50,000: "Doing Time" by Scott Nowell

2003
*1st Place, Media Reporting: Above 50,000: "Reality TV Bites" by Jennifer Mathieu

2001
*2nd Place, Investigative Reporting: Above 54,000: "Paying the Price" by Bob Burtman

2000
*1st Place, Column: Above 54,000: Margaret Downing
*1st Place, Corrections Reporting: Above 54,000: "Trouble in Mind" by Steve McVicker

1999
*1st Place, Online

1998
*1st Place, Investigative Reporting: Above 54,000: "Easy Street" by Bob Burtman
*1st Place, Web Site: "Webb Page Confidential"

Other awards of note include Todd Spivak's 2006 first place win<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ire.org/contest/06winners.html|title=IRE Awards {{!}} 2006|access-date=7 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420024304/http://www.ire.org/contest/06winners.html|archive-date=20 April 2010}}</ref> in the Investigative Reporters and Editors Association under 100,000 circulation weekly category, and Rich Connelly's first place in the humor category of the under 100,000 circulation bracket of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

==See also==
* [[List of newspapers in Houston]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.houstonpress.com/ ''Houston Press'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929051630/http://bestof.houstonpress.com/ ''Houston Press'', Best of Houston issue]

{{Newspapers in Houston}}
{{Portal bar|Texas|Journalism}}

[[Category:Alternative weekly newspapers published in the United States]]
[[Category:Online newspapers with defunct print editions]]
[[Category:Newspapers published in Houston]]
[[Category:Newspapers established in 1989]]
[[Category:1989 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:1998 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Weekly newspapers published in Texas]]