Publications Struggling in the Pay-to-Play Era

Dr. Trenice J. Brinkley
3 min readFeb 4, 2024
Photo by Sam McGhee on Unsplash

With so much access in the world of media, the tides are shifting, and the landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. One prominent aspect of this transformation is the rise of pay-to-play models which I absolutely hate, but it’s a trend that is causing a ripple effect throughout the media industry. As an expert publicist, it’s crucial to dissect the reasons behind the struggles faced by online publications, which are finding it increasingly difficult to stay afloat in this new era.

Let’s address the elephant in the room “The Pay-to-Play Phenomenon” The traditional dynamics of media placement are undergoing a seismic shift, with an increasing number of platforms and influencers adopting pay-to-play models. This trend involves charging fees for media placement, making it a pay-as-you-go system that challenges the traditional avenues for earning media coverage. No one wants to address it and the consequences of this shift are particularly evident in the struggles faced by online publications, which are grappling with the financial implications of having to pay for visibility.

The decline of earned media opportunities is a growing concern in today’s media landscape. Previously cherished for its authenticity and unbiased coverage, earned media now faces dissolution due to the prevalence of pay-to-play practices. Online publications…

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Dr. Trenice J. Brinkley
Dr. Trenice J. Brinkley

Written by Dr. Trenice J. Brinkley

Dr. TJ Brinkley is the founder of Two Queens Media and The National President of Eta Rho Sigma Sorority,Inc., author, wife and mother. www.trenicejbrinkley.com

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