Less sexy, more Times

Tomorrow the International Herald Tribune will wear a less sexy brand as it becomes the International New York Times.  In many ways it’s still the same paper, but the change will take away the romantic sort of detachment that readers have experienced when looking at the world through a less evident American lens. 

Of course Jean Seberg’s character helped create the chic image of the IHT by selling copies on the Champs Élysées in Godard’s 1960 film “Breathless.” In fairness, the name was then New York Herald Tribune, but there was perhaps more cosmo-chic by not including the Times in the brand. Years later, the IHT suprisingly maintained its same status of “cool” even after being prominently featured in the painfully bad 2009 Julia Roberts film “Duplicity.”

There was a panic in the Paris IHT newsroom in 2002 just a few weeks after I started my first job there reporting on bonds and financial markets. The New York Times had just bought the Washington Post’s half-share to become full owner of the paper. Editors were screaming aloud of impending doom of the publication, even as NYT staff visitors attempted to reassure a skeptical editorial crowd in meetings that business would remain as usual for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the mother ship in New York was ever pondering what to do with their European child publication that was hugely popular, but not profitable.

Jimmy Buffett "selling" the IHT on the Champs Élysées 
after his 2007  interview for a feature article.

The NYT brand began to consolidate with the insertion of its name in the publication. Then came the death of iht.com as an autonomous website to become a mere page on nytimes.com. I was working with the growing iht.com website at the time, and it was a blow to see everything taken out from under us. I’ve heard that the NYT since said this move was a mistake, but hindsight is not a luxury that journalists normally get to use.

I left the paper in 2009, then left Paris for the Netherlands in 2010, and I still think of the news room banter and the after-deadline beers at the nearby Le Village café.  I don’t believe I’ve ever met a more irreverent, pessimistic, smart, sarcastic and humorous bunch of professionals as in the IHT newsroom – and I am indeed glad that I did.

I suppose that authors of international thrillers may hesitate to reference the International New York Times as they have the IHT in numerous books. It’s just not as sexy as the Herald Tribune. And what about the luxury goods businesses that have been a pillar of IHT advertising and image? Are they going to hop on the NYT subway to continue their love affair?

I’ll still look for my online news from the same main sources, but it won’t be the same when I’m at a news stand and want to reach for the familiar name of the IHT. 

American Reefer(s) in Holland

There is still a buzz around this part of North Holland after Jim and Peter Mayer from Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band came to town a few weeks ago.  The brothers had played the big show with Buffett at the Olympia in Paris, and then set their course North to the Netherlands.

Jim with IM4U in 3 languages

‘Uncle’ Jim Mayer wound himself up and let loose with five workshop concerts - complete with French and Dutch translations - at the European School in Bergen over two days.   The primary school kids were bouncing on adrenaline during his shows, and the secondary students were a tougher crowd at first, but Jim had them  dancing on stage in about two shakes of a three-legged dog’s tail. 

So what the heck was Jimmy Buffett’s bassist of 20 years doing at the European School in the small town of Bergen, North Holland, performing for these kids?  It is indeed an unlikely happening when thinking about Buffett, margaritas and his escapism for grown-ups.  Jim started his Uncle Jim children’s music about ten years ago, and he’s done pretty well while bringing some positive and absolutely silly songs to lots of kids.  Two hit CDs, television show appearances and numerous school performances are shaping him into something of a Captain Coral Reefer Kangaroo for this generation.

We first met Jim at an after concert dinner party that Buffett put on in 2008 in Paris, and Jim's enthusiasm was clear from the start. We kept in touch and have made it a yearly happening for Uncle Jim to perform for  kids in Europe when he comes over for the yearly Buffett show in Paris.

IM4U – This is the hub of what Jim sings and shouts to the kids.  The groovy song by Jim, featuring another Coral Reefer, Nadirah Shakoor, tells kids to stand up for one another against schoolyard bullying and other challenges where a friend is needed.  Self esteem and community involvement - while learning how to have fun growing up - are qualities embedded in the lyrics of the songs that get the kids dancing.   His shows were a success at the school, and also appeared in the Alkmaar Courant local newspaper.

And,  Jim’s very cool and talented brother Peter Mayer (below in photo at the Provadja with Jim)  also landed on our Alkmaar doorstep this year after a quick detour to play a show in Switzerland.  One of Uncle Jim’s songs is Peanut Butter and Jelly, and that’s what the brothers were like when they hit the stage for a show at the Provadja theater on the following Saturday night in Alkmaar.  They fell into a seamless groove that has evidently been jointly crafted over the years. Their set included many songs from the Peter Mayer Group, a few from Uncle Jim and some from Peter’s recent Beatles project.  I think the Provadja crowd quickly realized from the first song that they had some professionals on stage. 

Meanwhile, Jimmy Buffett - previously rumored to show up at the Provadja-  was not far away on this early October evening while the brothers from his band were causing waves on the canals of Alkmaar.  In fact, was that Buffett that was seen snooping around some club venues in Amsterdam looking for a place to play when he sails back to Europe next year?  I believe that the captain was doing a bit of reconnaissance.

One of Uncle Jim's top moves

Uncle Jim demonstrating bullying on blog author