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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
Founder of Twin Towers
Orphan Fund buys
Oahu Island News
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"It's not a huge fortune, but it is my life savings," he said.
Richardson was a co-founder of AdWeek magazine, a national trade publication for the advertising industry, and is the founder of the Twin Towers Orphan Fund, established for the long-term needs of children who lost parents in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The fund is active and is about to split off from its original host charity to become independent, he said. "My significant other, Michelle Weaver, is remaining in California as executive director."
Richardson, who lives in Lanikai, is chairman and plans to fly back to Southern California three or four times a year for meetings of the nonprofit.
He had been in the market for a newspaper for about a year and learned of the availability of Oahu Island News while vacationing on the Big Island.
A side trip to Oahu to check out the paper had him thinking, "this meets my needs."
"It seems to be well-accepted and has a nice ad base that I think I can build," Richardson said. It will remain a free paper, with distribution at places like Starbucks. "That's the kind of demographic I'm going for," he said.
"The positioning of the publication will be not just for residents, not just for tourists. Ideally it will provide a service that you can't find anywhere else. ... Anybody who picks it up will find some value." It will be apolitical, "but I will accept political advertising," he laughed.
Richardson will head the paper as publisher and editor. "Editorially we do have some contract people, a designer, and I'll probably be looking for ad sales types in regional areas."
Former owner and Publisher Kelly Wilden is returning to the mainland for family reasons, Richardson said. She did not return calls.
Richardson's first job was editing a weekly paper in Santa Monica. "I made $125 a week and it was the best job I ever had."
If he can do the same thing here, he'll be in good shape, he laughs.
Boon for mall?
Windward Mall on Oahu has landed a plum role -- hosting an open casting call Aug. 14 for NBC's police drama "Hawaii," now in production.The mall opens at 10 a.m. for normal business and the casting call, in which producers are looking for people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
"We want the show to reflect the true diversity of the people here, so we're going directly into the local communities to find the wonderful array of talent Hawaii has to offer," said casting director Cathy Reinking, in a statement.
It is likely the casting call will draw folks from all over the island.
So what will be the impact for the mall's tenants?
"If it's anything like 'American Idol,' probably great. Probably fantastic, actually," said Jonathan Kim, Windward Mall general manager.
Is the mall encouraging merchants to take trays of samples out to those in line?
"That's a great idea," said Kim Person, marketing manager.
"Hopefully (the event) will bring people who haven't been to Windward Mall in a long time. We have a lot of unique shops."
Person suggests casting hopefuls bring a friend. "Hopefully, while they're standing in line, they might want to visit one of the places to shop, or eat."
Casting officials recommend that participants arrive early and bring a portfolio and a photo, if available. If not, the "Hawaii" casting crew will snap photos.