The Seattle Times Co. began an active campaign Wednesday to support Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna and gay marriage, part of a push to demonstrate the effectiveness of newspaper political advertising.
Washington state’s largest newspaper began with a full-page ad calling McKenna “a choice that will make us all proud.” The newspaper’s editorial board has endorsed McKenna over Democratic candidate Jay Inslee in one of the most watched campaigns for governor in the country.
The company said it’s also donating ad space to the campaign for the gay marriage ballot measure that will be decided by state voters next month.
In a statement, The Seattle Times Co. said it hopes the advertising effort will demonstrate the strength of print political advertising, noting that much of it focuses on broadcast and direct mail.
“This is a business decision that is completely separate from journalism functions of the newspaper,” said Alan Fisco, executive vice president for revenue and new products at the newspaper, in a statement. “The ads will be clearly identified as ads, and there is no intersection between the advertising and our editorial commentary or news reporting.”
Times spokeswoman Jill Mackie said no newsroom resources were used.
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