Do the Topsy Turvy, and turn it all around

As American singer and record producer Akon once said, “Sorry, blame it on me.” Some may call me the cause of chaos, a feather ruffler, or an advertising mastermind. Whatever name you choose, I can almost guarantee, this week, I got your attention.
I came to co-publisher Kurt Johnson over a month ago with a silly scheme. It was an idea of pure ingenuousness; something that tickled my brain just enough that I had to make it happen. I said, “Hey Kurt...Soooo...I came up with an idea…” Known for my many elaborate ideas, some of which I self-proclaim as “award winning,” while others may just be the passing thoughts of a “dumb blonde,” I am sure Kurt was holding his breath waiting for whatever foolishness was to follow. “What if we did a Topsy Turvy edition?” I said curiously. “You know, ads on top and the news on the bottom?”
The look of shock that covered his face was a non-verbal response all its own. Before he opened his mouth to speak, I could see the mental calculations of the time-honored newspaper formula jumbling around like some sort of algebraic equation. What I was asking defied all the laws of traditional newsprint. It was unheard of and unfamiliar territory to the world of press. “Well, that is an interesting idea,” he stammered. Kurt’s delayed response was long enough for me to see that he wasn’t quite sold.
Now, I am not one to give up on things so quickly. I am a persistent son-of-a-gun! Sometimes revolutionary ideas are all about timing, so I waited. Unfortunately, I am not the queen of patience, so I couldn’t wait too long.
A few days later I brought it up again; this time I conceptualized it a bit more. “You see Kurt, sometimes we just need to shake things up a bit. Get people thinking and talking,” I said confidently. I continued, “People get used to things looking a certain way; being a certain way. I think we need to change it up, just this once.”
It is true. We are such creatures of habit. Always driving the same routes, buying the same items, listening to the same songs; everything on repeat day after day. If someone were to study your life long enough and shared the findings, you would realize that you’re not as unpredictable as you may think.
Well, something I said must have resonated, because here we are: Topsy Turvy!
When something looks a certain way for so long, we expect it to be that way, forever. The same goes for your faithful local newspaper. You expect to receive your newspaper on the same day, every single week. When it doesn’t arrive on time, calls are made and questions raised. I can only imagine the same will happen this week. Both questions AND eyebrows raised, this time because of the look of things. A little out of the ordinary; not quite as expected.
Before you get upset or even angry, take the opportunity to look at things from the different perspective. Take a closer look at the things you might have been missing each week prior. Who are your advertisers? What sales are they running? What businesses are reaching out and asking for your loyalty? Local businesses are a fundamental part of the community. If you see their ads, let them know. Everyone wants their efforts acknowledged. Yes, news is important, but for at least this week, take time and give recognition where it is due.
It is Topsy Turvy week at the Aurora News-Register and we are reaching out, inviting you to turn things upside down for a fun change of pace. Since I’ve gotten your attention thus far, you can put the (Topsy Turvy) blame on me and learn to look at things from a different perspective. Yojne!
BEKAH MEAD can be reached at newspaper@ hamilton.net