By Andrew Macdonald
A Word Or Two On Passcode Sharing – Please Take Out An Affordable Paid Membership, Instead. Please! & Please!! Thank you very much!!!
Most of my Notebook paid readers do not share passcodes of their individual subscription – but some folk do share passcodes.
We simply ask you not do that. We are affordably priced at $3.50 per weekend for an edition on Saturdays and again on Sundays.
Just like The New York Times, and other subscriber-based online journals operate on the premise of one individual per subscription, that is the business journalism model of The Macdonald Notebook.
For political parties and corporate offices, we do offer a bulk discount subscription rate – you can contact me for details by sending me an email message: Andrew@TheMacdonaldNotebook.ca.
There are many reasons why my readership supports The Notebook – there are also costs associated with running a media company.
I have the taxman to pay off, I have a collection of news writers who make decent salaries from providing The Notebook with old-fashioned, compelling and intelligent and entertaining (at times) news stories.
Media is under attack, and more than ever trusted news outlets need your support.
A recent headline in The Washington Post said it all: “These mass shooting survivors were called journalism heroes. Then the buyouts came”.
It was a reference to a shooting at a U.S. newspaper, where some journalists were shot dead, in a massive shooting deadly attack.
“If you care about journalism and truth and freedom of the press anywhere, subscribe to your local news organization,” said Rick Hutzell, the former editor of the Capital Gazette, on the third anniversary of its attack. “Because that´s the only way they will survive.”
That is what he told The Washington Post.
Pretty good advice, eh?
So, if you are passcode sharing, please do not do that. Take out an affordable subscription – and support high-quality, decent, good journalism.
My Reader Endorsements says it all about our unique take on business and Inside Political journalism, we offer each weekend at The Notebook.
The Macdonald Notebook is read by business titans and politicos – and each week, 1,500-plus folk visit our website.
Here are some Reader Endorsements – we have just entered our sixth year of Independent publishing.
Donna Harding realtor/broker with Engel & Völkers says of The Notebook:
“Andrew, I feel we are so fortunate to have your publication to read each week as you provide us with up-to-date, unbiased, honest and fair journalism that speaks to the key topics of the day whether in business, politics, real estate, or philanthropy in our region.
Your publication has become a “must-read” for me to stay current on what is happening in our beautiful part of the world!
Thank you for all you do!”
Chester-Halifax’s Tim Moore, founder of two national moving companies, two national extended-stay businesses, and a real serial entrepreneur writes”
“Andrew, being able to observe and experience your elevation to so many successes I really want to congratulate you on your inner toughness, your creativity and your innate ability to provide incredible journalism to your readers, Keep up the great work”
Steve Parker, founder of CCL Group (Corporate Communications Ltd.):
“It is remarkable to see what you are doing with The Macdonald Notebook. More content, high quality, “Breaking News”…The Notebook has exploded from startup to “Must Read”.
What’s next?”
Mr. Parker’s spouse, Shirley Parker, reads me, too:
Jim Vibert: Halifax Herald political columnist, writes on my Journalism:
“Hi Andrew: I just wanted to send along a note to say that I’m more than impressed with the continued success of The Macdonald Notebook, and by your incredible proficiency. The quality and number of great stories you deliver week after week tell me you must be doing well”.
Louie Lawen, property developer:
“Keep up the great work. Your news reporting is informative and exceptionally current.”
Tim Olive, former Nova Scotia Cabinet Minister:
“Folks: If you are a subscriber then I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I do. If not I recommend that you give it a try. In this day of selective political reporting, in the regular media, The Macdonald Notebook’s online publication has evolved as the leading news outlet for anyone with a keen interest in what is really going on regarding the major political and economic issues of the day in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.
Veteran political journalist, Al Hollingsworth, who at 82, now goes to work every day at a Lower Sackville community radio station:
“The Macdonald Notebook has a nice mix of news and even news scoops!”
Noted Halifax realtor Carolyn Davis-Stewart:
“I do very much enjoy reading your in-depth coverage of so many varied topics. Glad you called me that day for info so I could subscribe once again! Love to read your news the minute your reports come out. Amazing the knowledge you glean!!”.
Erin O’Toole, a federal Tory leadership aspirant:
“The movers and shakers read you, Andrew”.
Don Mills, leading Atlantic and Halifax pollster, says:
“Anyone interested in good reporting about what is happening in Nova Scotia might want to read the Macdonald Notebook, which is published on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays”.
Chester-Halifax business person, Stephen Mader:
“I love The Notebook, always interesting. Well written, with tremendous insight. Keep up the great work!”
Robert Zed, Chair, Triangle Strategies, Founder ZedEvents Executive-in-Residence, Dalhousie University. Halifax/Toronto writes about my journalism:
“The Macdonald Notebook nails it, every edition, every time. Andrew, you’re a great storyteller and journalist of hard facts and informative well-researched news. I am happy to continue to support and promote your great leading-edge news and The Notebook. I look forward to your great coverage. Congrats”.
Serial entrepreneur Tim Moore of Chester-Halifax, founder of national moving van lines AMJ Campbell, and Premier Van Lines, founder of Moore Executive Suites and founder of Premier Executive Suites, says of my journalism:
“Keep up the good journalism work, very impressive”.
Billy Joe MacLean, leading Port Hawkesbury politico writes:
“I am really enjoying your Macdonald Notebook. You have not only captured an audience of followers, but you also have the experience of years behind you to dig out your contacts. So keep up the interesting news items”.
Layton Dorey, Halifax Southend raised, and now Toronto based Senior Vice President at Northstar Research Partners, says:
“The Macdonald Notebook provides the colour between the lines that allows news to become information. In a time when too many media organizations essentially reprint press releases, Andrew has personal conversations with the newsmakers. Not satisfied with simply the ‘what’, The Notebook goes further, to enlighten on the ‘why'”.
John MacDonell, a product of Nova Scotia, who later became the province’s most powerful backroom operator in the Harper Ottawa regime, says of my politico coverage:
“Your political coverage is awesome for political junkies like me. Good on you and kudos for excellence. You have a way of explaining things so that readers understand that those involved in partisan politics are human just like everyone else”.
Liberals like former John Savage minister Robbie Harrison, also have been appreciative of my journalism style:
“Your well-crafted journalism style is ‘down-home – high quality’ reporting – concise, informative, diverse, historically accurate, objective, humorous and pleasantly intimate”.
A Nova Scotia Judge writes about my journalism:
“Andrew, congratulations. I look forward to your new work. I am sure it will be of the highest quality and standard you have exhibited throughout your career. Journalism is becoming a dying art I am glad there are people like you who are keeping it alive”.
Noted Halifax real estate developer, Wadih Fares, who is also Honorary Consul General in the Maritimes for Lebanon reads my news copy:
“I have been reading Andrew’s stories for 20-years. I am always curious to see what he is going to write about and he is very curious himself but honest”.
“He is passionate about journalism and above all he is trustworthy”.
“We live in a very small, tight-knit community. Media has a big impact on our lives and it helps to talk to a journalist you can trust and that’s Andrew Macdonald. He is experienced, his stories are fair, balanced and very professional. That’s what good journalism is all about!!”.
Prominent Chester-Halifax realtor, Piers Baker remarks:
“Andrew is a very fine writer and has oodles of information on the local real estate scene. He is probably the most tapped-in person in this part of the world”.
Betsy Macdonald, NDP caucus toiler:
“The Macdonald Notebook is not ‘He said, She said’ journalism. Instead, it’s old-fashioned storytelling”.
A grade 10 student (our youngest subscriber) on Nova Scotia’s North Shore:
“I really enjoy your weekly publication.”
Victoria Hines, Realtor, Royal LePage Atlantic.
“Your news is addictive”.
Mark Boudreau, director of Corporate Affairs for Loblaw Halifax:
“Andrew is quintessentially Nova Scotian. He is a tough but fair reporter–and he cares about his readers. His columns are always insightful, and with him, you always get insight that you don’t in any other business reporting in the province.”
Here’s how former NS PC leadership contender John Lohr describes The Notebook:
“Nova Scotia’s Political Publication”.
New Resident Of Nova Scotia & A New Notebook Subscriber:
Banking and insurance entrepreneur, Jonathan Meretsky says of The Notebook:
“Thanks for everything you do and your excellent journalism (that is informative and fun to read).”
