Roasting Rivard
Just met two hip, young, energetic creatives who invented a smartphone app to help the homeless find shelter for the night. Long overdue.
— Urban Robert (@UrbanRobert) May 10, 2012
A Romenesko reader writes:
There’s a new spoof Twitter account for recently edged out San Antonio Express-News executive editor Robert Rivard, who was known during his lengthy tenure running the paper for advocating bicycle issues, downtown development and (according to some) also for his over-sized ego. When he was ousted unexpectedly and with no explanation, he changed his Twitter handle from @EditorRivard [now dead] to @RivardInSA and started a hyper-local, hipster-courting downtown website/blog (@RivardReport).
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the spoof account, @UrbanRobert, is that a large percentage of the followers so far are current or former staffers. Lots of buzz but no answers in the newsroom about who’s behind it. Seems like it has to be someone internal, with a chip on his or her shoulder (although the best ones, in my opinion, are the ones that capture his voice in a more absurdist than mean way).
I’ve invited Rivard to comment on the spoof account. (Check your RivardReport.com email, Bob.)
