Streetvibes Sales up 85% compared to 2007

For immediate release

May 1, 2008
Contact: Georgine Getty, 421-7803 or 513-295-8969

Streetvibes Sells Out for Second Month in a Row

Cincinnati – While newspapers across the country are losing circulation, Streetvibes is having to print more copies to keep up with customer demand. The April edition of Streetvibes completely sold out, according to Georgine Getty, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which publishes Streetvibes.

The March edition of the paper also sold out, she says. Circulation has increased by 85 percent in the first four months of the year, compared to 2007.

“Our vendors have really been getting out there and selling the papers,” Getty says. “We owe a lot to the tenacity of the vendors. They are out there no matter what the weather, selling papers and spreading the word about poverty. We are also very grateful for the wonderful relationships they have built with their loyal customers.”

The Homeless Coalition had been printing 5,000 copies a month, but raised the number to 6,000 for the April edition. Because of increased demand for the paper, the next edition of Streetvibes will be 7,000 copies, Getty says.

“In this time of wide discussion in Cincinnati about poverty issues, homelessness, affordable housing and living wage jobs, we are pleased to see that people are turning to Streetvibes for a perspective on these issues that they can’t get from other publications,” she says.

Streetvibes features stories about the struggles and successes of homeless people, low-income families, urban life and social justice. Vendors learn entrepreneurship and sales skills by selling the paper for $1. Vendors keep 75 cents from each copy, and a quarter goes to printing costs.

One of the most colorful vendors is Cleo Wombles, who is a familiar sight in his clown nose and wig as he sells Streetvibes at Fifth and Walnut streets. Wombles also writes jokes for the paper.

“If you can make people laugh, they’ll buy from you,” he says.