Denver Post's latest attempt to keep subscribers: DenverPostPerks.com

Yesterday, folks who get the physical Denver Post were greeted with a wraparound ad for DenverPostPerks.com, a new website designed to reward people for subscribing. Readers who visit the site and enter their Post account number for a subscription that's been active for at least ninety days will be able...

By Michael Roberts

August 3, 2009

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Yesterday, folks who get the physical Denver Post were greeted with a wraparound ad for DenverPostPerks.com, a new website designed to reward people for subscribing. Readers who visit the site and enter their Post account number for a subscription that's been active for at least ninety days will be able to explore "money-saving offers" and print coupons related to participating businesses. Examples of "perks" include $10 dollars off service calls to the Appliance Store, a free brake inspection at Burt Ford on Arapahoe, $3 off a ticket for the Georgetown Loop Railroad and a buy-one-outfit-get-one-free offer at Salvation Army, where I do most of my clothes shopping. Really. Not kidding.

This approach makes more sense than the last attempt by the paper to keep people paying their bills -- an "Economic Stimulus Sweepstakes" that required participants to fill out a form (using a pen or pencil), find three logos of participating advertisers in that day's edition, and then drop the sheet at a local business. This time around, at least individuals won't have to jump through so many pre-computer-age hoops. On the other hand, the site's deals seem pretty modest at first glance, and a few don't even make sense -- or am I missing something in regard to an offer by Primary Residential Mortgage of a "$200 Meal of Your Choice"? With luck, DenverPostPerks.com will retain some wavering subscribers. But putting out a consistently first-rate product should cause even more to stick around.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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