Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Part 4 | Real Time comments Wed. open forum

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127 comments:

  1. Jim12/03/2008 2:33 PM

    I've just started this new open-comment thread to keep the earlier ones from being overwhelmed.

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  2. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:35 PM

    Can someone who still works in the Cherry Hill newsroom please post an updated layoff roster? Thanks.

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  3. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:37 PM

    About Lansing, any word on departments hit so far? Newsroom, first floor? Any internal e-mails about it yet?

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  4. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:37 PM

    http://blogs.courierpostonline.com/phillies/2008/12/02/19-years-six-months-23-days-and-its-all-over/

    I posted this at the end of the last thread. It's worth reading.

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  5. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:38 PM

    Is Hattiesburg really shutting down the presses?

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  6. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:38 PM

    Does anyone have any news about cuts at Gannett Digital? I may have missed something earlier.

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  7. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:39 PM

    Who were the mgrs cut in lville? and let us know about the 4:30

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:40 PM

    From Lousiville:

    As you know from earlier communications, all Gannett newspapers are in the process of significantly reducing expenses to bring our expenses in line with our revenue base, which has been hard-hit by the overall economic situation.

    At The Courier-Journal, we have taken every reasonable step we can think of to reduce costs in non-payroll areas. Nothing is being left out of consideration. But the difficult reality is that we also need to reduce our workforce. Fifty-one employees are being laid off, including 17 voluntary layoffs in response to our offer for voluntary severance. An additional 18 open positions will not be filled.



    Included in the layoff numbers are reductions in staffing in the press room and plate room stemming from operational changes to be implemented in the coming weeks in those areas. This includes running one press instead of two most weekdays. (Yes, it will mean moving start times a bit earlier and off times a bit later, but these changes will be minimal, thanks to the much-improved press reliability that has resulted from recent work with the press vendors.) Most other layoffs will be completed by the end of the day today.



    All employees being layed off will receive severance pay and health insurance continuation, up to 26 weeks, based on their years of service.



    This transition, although necessary, is very painful. We are saying goodbye to many employees who have contributed to our success over the years. We thank them for what they have done. They have made a difference.



    Going forward, it's important to note that even after the staff reductions, we still will have the largest news gathering staff and the largest media sales organization in Kentucky. We will remain committed to our rich history of extraordinary public service and First Amendment journalism. We will be well positioned for success when the economic environment begins to turn around.



    Thank you for your support during this difficult time.



    Arnold Garson

    President and Publisher

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  9. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:40 PM

    Yes... Below is the part of C-L Publisher Larry Whitaker's note to staff that deals with this:

    In addition to announcing job reductions, we also have major project news to share about our sister paper in Hattiesburg. Over the next few weeks and months, the Hattiesburg American production operations will move to Jackson. It is a major change that will lead to significant cost efficiencies and expense savings for both our companies. The production consolidation means the daily Hattiesburg American and USA Today will be printed in Jackson along with The Clarion-Ledger and its line of weekly products.

    While we are still working on final timelines, we do have some tentative dates to share about the consolidation:

    •By early January, the Sunday insert will be packaged in Jackson.
    •By mid-January, most Hattiesburg ad-building functions will be
    shifted to Jackson.
    •By early February, printing and the remaining insertion
    functions of the Hattiesburg American and related products will move.
    •Sometime in early second quarter, USA Today printing functions
    will relocate to Jackson.

    The decision to consolidate production operations fits into our
    company's strategic plan of developing regional operational
    efficiencies and cost savings. The change will not affect delivery times of the Hattiesburg American or USA Today. Production managers have closely studied the impending consolidation and have determined that the Jackson production facility
    has more than enough press capacity and most of the packaging equipment
    in place to successfully handle this addition.

    Employees working in Hattiesburg's production department will all be
    eligible and encouraged to apply for positions in Jackson. Those
    employees who elect to not apply in Jackson, and whose jobs will end
    when the move happens, will be offered severance packages in relation to
    their years of service.

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  10. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:41 PM

    The 2:40 response is in response to the 2:38 post.

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  11. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:44 PM

    2:39pm- Who were the mgrs cut in lville? and let us know about the 4:30

    Real Estate- Shauna Armour 2 1/2 yrs of service

    Retail manager- Larry Stewart 37 yrs of service ** one of the best on the ad floor

    Will keep you posted on the 4:30

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  12. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:45 PM

    2:38 (re Gannett Digital): That would surprise me. If anything, I'd think Gannett Digital would grow slightly to absorb more of the workload from cuts through the rest of the chain.

    FWIW, Gannett's hardly the only chain to do such a thing. Ask a former Knight Ridder employee about the Washington-produced Nation/World page sometime.

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  13. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:46 PM

    LANSING?!!????

    (sorry, curious)

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  14. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:49 PM

    In Lansing so far, a handful from advertising and circulation and four of five staffing the now-defunct NOISE publication. Graphic artist from NOISE was the only one saved.
    Anybody else know any more?

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  15. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:51 PM

    I know the layoffs which we announced last month have been on everyone’s mind. Today we will begin notifying employees. These are not moments anyone wants to go through. With each round of layoffs it wears on all of us. It is human to feel sad about the loss of our co-workers. We all give so much to our jobs, focused and passionate about serving our customers.

    Every account line item of our non-payroll expense was examined and we have made several changes to our 2009 budget. But even with these expense reductions we are left with no choice but to eliminate about 6% of our workforce, which is 14 jobs. We will eliminate 5 open positions and notify 9 employees that they are being laid off who will receive severance packages of up to 26 weeks of pay including medical benefits which will continue for the length of the severance.

    As all of you are aware these layoffs are the result of the difficult economic conditions everyone is facing right now. We are fortunate enough to have advertisers in all areas of business; auto, real estate, recruitment, local retail businesses, national brands, etc. With such a broad range of advertisers we feel the impact of a struggling economy on many fronts.

    We are committed to keeping you informed about how these changes impact you, your department and where we go from here. We are still in the process of building our 2009 operational plan. Once complete I will meet and share our plans with all employees.

    We have accomplished many things in 2008 that should make us very proud. I know it is hard when we have to go through painful moments like this to feel upbeat and positive about the future. But please know that we have a talented and dedicated team here at the Burlington Free Press who will achieve more success in the coming year.

    Thanks for your professionalism and focus as we work through these difficult times.

    My door is always open so please do not hesitate to stop by, email or call me with any questions. I have had several conversations lately with employees who have asked me to share my thoughts about how I see us evolving and thriving in the future. I will look for opportunities very soon to speak to you about what I see for us in the upcoming years.

    Brad Robertson

    Brad Robertson
    President & Publisher
    Burlington Free Press
    802.660.1800
    www.burlingtonfreepress.com

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  16. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:52 PM

    Lansing also lost their Credit Manager of 30+ years.

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  17. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:52 PM

    thanks 2:44. I knew Larry when i was there. I hear Marketing lost some strong people as well.

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  18. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:54 PM

    Any word from Green Bay or Appleton?

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  19. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:55 PM

    Marketing loss 1, not sure of his name.. Mark something but had been here around 30+ years. this takes our marketing department down to 5 people total. A director, communications/promotions manager, 2 designers and the VP

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  20. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:56 PM

    I couldn't have said it better myself...

    http://visualeditors.ning.com/profiles/blogs/who-will-bail-out-the-fourth

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  21. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:56 PM

    2:55 -- From where?

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  22. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:57 PM

    Anymore info on the Marketing dept. in Phoenix?

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  23. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:58 PM

    Lansing lost their Advertising Manager also, should of been the Advertising Director.

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  24. Anonymous12/03/2008 2:58 PM

    SE in Appleton is done.

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  25. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:00 PM

    Who was let go in Circ in Louisville, I am a former CJ Circ employee.

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  26. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:07 PM

    It seems in Westchester it's not about cutting the fat, but cutting until the only people left are "friends" with all the right people. How else to explain cutting all the writers of a failed magazine effort, but not the top editor?

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  27. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:09 PM

    So are you saying that Design has No Place in Newspapers or their other publications? You're cracked if that's what you're saying. When's the last time you picked up a piece of crap newsletter or magazine that was horrible looking and read it.

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  28. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:10 PM

    For the sake of the blog, please don't egg him on.

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  29. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:10 PM

    Latest in Jackson (newsroom only):

    4 voluntary layoffs
    - a terrific sports agate guy
    - a religion writer
    - a copy editor
    - a biz writer

    3 involuntary layoffs
    - a long-time news columnist
    - a part-time copy editor
    - a news assistant to one of The C-L's bureau papers.

    *Apparently the cuts are over for the newsroom. If that's true, then The C-L newsroom got off easy compared to these other papers.

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  30. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:11 PM

    Noise was full of talented people. It's a very sad day in the newsroom in Lansing as the cuts continue this afternoon.

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  31. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:12 PM

    http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20081203/BUSINESS/81203016

    Town Talk sheds 14 jobs in reorganization

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  32. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:14 PM

    of the 55 projected cuts in Indy, it appears that at least 14 have already come from editorial.

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  33. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:15 PM

    This just in from Indianapolis Star, maybe another few to come. Newsroom (some downtown, some North Zone):

    Photo: 1 1/2
    Features: 6
    copy ed/desk: 4
    Sports: 1
    Library: 1
    parapros: 2
    editors: 1
    Northzone reporter: 1

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  34. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:19 PM

    appleton's sports editor, brad zimanek, was canned. couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

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  35. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:20 PM

    Any word from Sheboygan?

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  36. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:21 PM

    http://floridatoday.com/article/20081203/BREAKINGNEWS/81203031/1086
    ‘Florida Today’ lays off 30, accepts 6 buyouts

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  37. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:22 PM

    Here's an early list of people from the Arizona Republic (Phoenix):

    http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2008/12/editors_take_big_hits_in_arizo.php

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  38. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:24 PM

    Again, any word in Binghamton?!

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  39. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:24 PM

    Got laid off this morning. In my mailbox? Netflix: The Wire, season 5, disc one.
    What's the definition of irony again?

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  40. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:25 PM

    do we have a number for all of the pressrooms shut down? so far i heard of 1 in wisconsin and ashville nc. are there more?

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  41. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:25 PM

    Any word on the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle besides Scott Pitoniak (sad loss, one of best sportswriters in the country)?

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  42. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:27 PM

    What's the word on Nashville? I can only wonder what John Seigenthaler is thinking about now.

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  43. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:27 PM

    Binghamton lost an asst features editor. I don't know who else, but that part-time editor did more than most full-time employees. She is a big loss. Suspect Elmira, Ithaca and Binghamton are combining features now. Anyone confirm?

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  44. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:27 PM

    Fort Collins is said to be sending ALL print to Denver Newspaper Agancy by January! Also - NUMEROUS layoff's this week!

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  45. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:28 PM

    Any word on the Honolulu Advertiser?

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  46. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:30 PM

    Does anyone know which pressroom in Wisconsin was shut down? Also, Fond du Lac's design services are moving to Green Bay in May, it seems; joining Manitowoc and Sheboygan who make that move in March.

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  47. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:32 PM

    I'm interested in ages of layoff victims.

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  48. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:32 PM

    John Seigenthaler is enjoying the proceeds of the sale.

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  49. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:33 PM

    The night manager in Pre-Press in Sheboygan was let go.

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  50. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:34 PM

    Just a thoughtful suggestion ... If you post lists of those at your paper that have been canned, try to make sure you know that person has already been informed. I was one of the August cuts, and looked online after my HR meeting to see who else was let go, only to see that a few different blogs had posted it 2 hours before I was informed. Kinda added salt to the wound to know I was the last to know.

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  51. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:35 PM

    Who are the 9 in Burlington?

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  52. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:36 PM

    Lansing is being hit hard today, with our auto industry going downhill, this town is really taking a hit.

    I must say NOISE was a hit through the greater Lansing area and each staff member was truly wonderful and talented.

    I must say though, we were all hoping for the Ad Director to go... that's one of the big reasons Advertising performance is AWFUL now... bring back the old one!!!

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  53. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:36 PM

    Anyone have a link to that article about people screwing in public?

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  54. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:41 PM

    The Gallatin News-Examiner in Gallatin, Tenn., had its press shut down. Will be published in Nashville at The Tennessean.

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  55. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:42 PM

    Why is GCI laying off a blanket of people, at all newspapers? Some of the papers are making money? Yet those papers, are firing people to. Somebody is hiding something at Gannett.

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  56. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:42 PM

    Phoenix custom pubs and marketing news?

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  57. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:43 PM

    According to a blog in Salisbury, Md., the Daily Times has laid off 12 so far, but no details.

    http://sbynews.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:43 PM

    Someone asked earlier about the night shift in ADS at APP. I've got a word for you - GONE. Unless you consider one ad designer, and one electronic imaging person a "shift"

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  59. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:44 PM

    3:27

    BIE combined features a few months ago. Ithaca hasn't had features in house since the August layoffs, and Elmira's features department all got laid off yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:46 PM

    anything on palm springs?

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  61. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:48 PM

    It's been a while for me. What does BIE stand for? Also, where does features exist for the Southern Tier now? Aren't all the features writers gone then?

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  62. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:49 PM

    3:36: What paper did that one run in? Des Moines?

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  63. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:50 PM

    Any word on Des Moines? How many? What department? I'm worried about features...

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  64. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:51 PM

    http://iowaindependent.com/9228/cartoonist-duffy-among-staff-let-go-by-the-des-moines-register

    ReplyDelete
  65. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:56 PM

    3:36
    You are so right about the Ad Director in Lansing, she needs to be shown the door. I bet everyone that works at the Journal would agree. She is WICKED. Someone please give her a broom and send her on her way.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:57 PM

    why is there not a significant stock price change?

    ReplyDelete
  67. Anonymous12/03/2008 3:58 PM

    Still want to know how many gone in Des Moines. After last round, not that many left...

    ReplyDelete
  68. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:00 PM

    Anyone heard about Port Huron?

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  69. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:02 PM

    >> why is there not a significant stock price change?


    that change would have come 6 weeks ago when they announced they were going to lay off folks. dropping the ax today does nothing. investors knew it was coming early December.

    it's clear they made the announcement right after the 3rd quarter earnings report in an attempt to stabilize the price at the time. didn't work, obviously.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:03 PM

    From the Indy Star's website: Headline - Star closing two community newspapers.

    The Indianapolis Star Media Group is closing two weekly community newspapers, the East Side Herald and the Spotlight, as part of a wider cost-cutting effort across the company.

    The newspapers, both published since the 1930s, will close Jan. 15, the company announced today. Ten positions will be eliminated as a result.


    The East Side Herald has an average readership of 15,300 on the Eastside of Marion County and the southwest portion of Hancock County. Its readers can continue to find local news in the Star East section of the Indianapolis Star, the company said.

    The Spotlight has an average weekly readership of 31,000 in southern Marion County. Its readers can continue to find local news in the South Indy Star section of the Indianapolis Star.

    The closings were announced the same day that the Star's parent, Gannett Co., reduced staffing companywide as part of an industry wide contraction prompted by slowing revenues and an uncertain economic outlook.

    The Star Media Group in Indianapolis is eliminating 52 positions.

    (POSTER'S NOTE): The two newspapers closing were established neighborhood (community) newspapers that Gannett bought. One about a year ago (Spotlight) the other a few years ago. Both better than the community/zoned papers Gannett has been publishing.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:03 PM

    Robert Knilands - Noted self-styled "journalism critic" with a reputation for being a giant pain in the ass. Banned from blogs across America. Has a Web site. Here is a link:

    http://www.wenalway.com/

    and here's a link to an an interview he did with one of the few people to take him seriously:

    http://blog.syracuse.com/newstracker/2008/08/the_robert_knilands_interview.html


    And I'm remaining anonymous because I don't want him pestering me.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:04 PM

    thanks 4:02

    ReplyDelete
  73. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:04 PM

    That's it for Binghamton? I know of a former editor that needs to go.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:04 PM

    3:56 --- Thank you, someone that agrees with me! Wicked is a total understatement. She needs to be shown the door soon, hopefully next month.

    Port Huron update: 11 people? Some Production folks, Accounting manager and couple mid-level adv. mgrs I think.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Shirley in Texas12/03/2008 4:06 PM

    Putting things into perspective:

    By John Carlson
    The Des Moines Register
    Former Des Moines Register reporter Thomas Fogarty died at an Arlington, Va., hospital Tuesday night after a brief illness.

    Fogarty, 59, joined the Register staff in 1985, when he was assigned to cover Des Moines City Hall. He later covered the Iowa Legislature for the newspaper, primarily the state Senate, and became a business reporter before leaving the Register in 1999.




    The Omaha native then joined USA Today where he worked as both a reporter and editor.

    He was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago.

    A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the USA Today building in McLean, Va. There will be a memorial mass on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at St. John's Church at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:06 PM

    Do you know which ADV managers in PH?

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  77. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:10 PM

    Anyone have information on Jackson, Miss., layoffs outside the newsroom?

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  78. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:10 PM

    My name is Peter Engel, a recruiter who is interested in locating departed Westchester/Rockland Journal News employees for a public relations position.

    Our client is a Mount Kisco public relations agency that is looking for a Senior Account Executive or Account Supervisor with digital/social media knowledge and experience. The job entails supervising the agency's digital practice and blog.

    Ideally, this could be someone on the feature side who covered lifestyle and health issues, products, trends, etc. If you did a great deal of online reporting, webcasts, video, working on lohud.com -- in addition to traditional reporting -- I'd really like to hear from you right away. There may be more opportunities to come.

    Best,


    Peter Engel
    Senior Recruiter
    Cantor Executive Search Solutions Inc.
    250 West 57th Street, Ste. 1632
    New York, NY 10107
    212-333-3000 T
    212-245-1012 F
    646-734-1933 C
    peter@cantorconcern.com
    www.cantorconcern.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:11 PM

    To 3:48 PM

    BIE = Binghamton-Ithaca-Elmira

    "Features" section has been mostly wire and press releases since August in Elmira

    ReplyDelete
  80. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:11 PM

    While I am seeing some things about my old Wisconsin papers, I am curious about why there is almost nothing about the other community newspapers in Indiana and ZERO about the community papers in Ohio!

    Were these papers exempt from layoffs? Were they so beaten into submission by Gannett that they are afraid to post?

    We know about Cincy and Indy, but what about the others? Why are they getting a pass?

    ReplyDelete
  81. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:14 PM

    Tom Callinan (Cincinnati Enquirer editor) announced today on Facebook:

    The Enquirer has made transition to "a writer's newspaper." Now, let's write.

    (Guess that's what you call it when there are fewer editors. Who needs them.)

    ReplyDelete
  82. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:17 PM

    Some rumors floating around here (DFP)are that all "plans" have not yet been approved. Thus - still waiting to see what happens here and watching the toll everywhere else. Could be the case at the other properties as well.

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  83. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:18 PM

    Can anyone explain the "formula" for figuring out who was laid off and who wasn't?

    In Westchester, the cuts don't seem to make a lot of sense. The copy desk chief who was cut was a gem. Funny, honest and terrific at his craft. The metro editor was a gung-ho worker who volunteered for every committee and initiative management came up with. The photographer had only been on the job for weeks. And as for the theater critic, I guess this means the paper no longer worries about appealing to people who care about culture and like to attend Broadway shows.

    There are some notable absences in departments that were not hit, including any metro reporters.

    Also, the paper has a top-heavy management structure with an executive editor, a managing editor and a top local editor who oversees the news, sports and business news desks.

    I wonder why some people were cut and not others. Maybe someone with inside knowledge of the process can put up their thoughts.

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  84. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:19 PM

    New news in Lansing?

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  85. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:21 PM

    Six are gone in Muncie at The Star Press. Three voluntary, three involuntary.

    Three more vacant positions have been eliminated.

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  86. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:22 PM

    some insights on the process would be appreciated. Good people were cut again at the APP, while much dead wood remains.

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  87. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:23 PM

    So tell me, how can the Clarion-Ledger still call itself a "morning" paper if it is printing over 100,000 USATs before going to press with the C-L? Additionally, how will the Hattiesburg American still get on the street by 7:30am as they committed to their readership?

    ReplyDelete
  88. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:25 PM

    What's happening in Bridgewater?

    ReplyDelete
  89. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:29 PM

    Any word on non-Noise cuts in Lansing? Surely an editor will be cut, right? It would be crazy to cut reporters but not editors. The AME, for one, is totally nuts.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:29 PM

    4:18 PM, Don't you see? It's a conspiracy. They leave the driftwood. They spare the non-hackers. The papers flounder. They die. But people still need the news. USA Today circulation is beefed up. Local news is left to television and blogs. One paper, one staff, with total distribution all across the continent. A monopoly. More money (people will switch, don't say they won't), almost no staff. Like CNN replacing the News at Nine with your Channel Whatever News Team.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:30 PM

    So far we have picked up a very strong single copy manager in Fayetteville from the first wave of Gannett layoffs a couple of months ago.

    We have some vacancies:

    Executive Editor – Fayetteville Observer
    Retail Manager – Fayetteville Observer
    Working Online Salesperson/Manager – Asheville Iwanna Classified Shopper

    Resumes to:

    Jeffrey Green
    Chief Marketing Officer
    Fayetteville Observer
    IWANNA Classified Shoppers – Asheville and Greenville
    greenj@fayobserver.com

    ReplyDelete
  92. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:30 PM

    Knilands has been fired more times than anyone in journalism history.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:30 PM

    This really does suck. As someone who was laid off two years ago I can tell you that these folks will be much happier soon enough. And they have a head start on the rest of you! When Gannett and the other media companies finally decide that newspapers are just not worth it, those laid off this week will have already found new jobs and new lives.
    It is only a matter of time. Papers are going. Sure some will survive, many even, but none will be like they are today.
    The times, they are a changing.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:32 PM

    Bridgewater is busy fending off the East Brunswick fatasses.

    Bw's photo guys will come out the winners. And, news and advertising too.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:32 PM

    Well, the dust has settled at Brevard. Not one stinking manager among the cuts. Oh, sure they didn't fill the ME position when the ME was promoted to EE a few months ago. And the copy desk chief who had bypass surgery in September isn't returning. Whoop-tee-doo. Every department in Info Center lost people except features, photos and editorial. Oh yeah, the best of all. A woman who had recently returned to work less than 10 days ago after being out for four months undergoing chemo for lymphoma? Yep, AXED. How heartless can you be?

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  96. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:33 PM

    Nothing official out yet from Lansing. Waiting for the final count. Rumor mill estimates 35 or so being cut today across all departments.

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  97. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:35 PM

    4:18 - here's my thoughts. Working for Gannett is like being in high school all over again, except you are playing politics with folks that have no teachers, principals or parents looking over them.

    It's all about who you side with, or all about who you've "thrown under the bus". And trust me - you have to side with somebody if you want your career to go anywhere. The trouble comes in when the person you side with winds up being the butt of the place - consider yourself either on the way down or like today - just plain out.

    Could this be the case where you work?

    ReplyDelete
  98. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:35 PM

    Somebody, please, anyone in Indiana. Who is left standing at the Lafayette Journal and Courier? Who was cut/left?
    I loved that paper when I worked there. Still have friends and haven't seen it mentioned and I've read every post on this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Tom12/03/2008 4:37 PM

    just posted -- to be updated
    http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2008/12/3/tennessean_cuts_at_least_70_jobs

    Tennessean cuts at least 70 jobs

    Newsroom staff pared by 20 to 25 as parent Gannett eliminates nearly 1,000 positions nationally

    By E. Thomas Wood

    12-03-2008 3:33 PM —

    Playing its part in one of the most dramatic mass layoffs in the history of the American news media, The Tennessean has eliminated some 70 jobs yesterday and today, including 20 to 25 positions in its newsroom.

    The cuts at the Nashville daily are among more than 900 that have come to light in the past 36 hours among Gannett Co. properties, as the nation's largest newspaper chain seeks to regain its financial footing amid advertising shortfalls and punishing stock declines.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:37 PM

    Well, I got the lovely news that my job was eliminated at The Arizona Republic, along with about 100 other loyal employees. Time to move on to something bigger and better.

    Wishing everyone who lost their stable paycheck good luck - we are all better off.

    To those still employed, good luck in the next rounds.

    Oh, and I heart Edward.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:38 PM

    Any newsroom cuts in Hattiesburg?

    ReplyDelete
  102. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:39 PM

    Re; earlier posts…to hell with GCI’s board have some fun by making some noise with Obama, Pelosi, et al (draft)…

    BIG OIL AND GANNETT
    Gannett happily published your outrage and campaign calls for a windfall profits tax on big oil, yet remained mum about its profits. Why? Gannett’s margins were higher.

    Newspapers may be protected by our constitution, but their adjoining freedoms – tax exempt ad and paper sales and years of fat profits, are not. And, given how aggressive Gannett is to protect the latter, perhaps this country’s citizenry needs a little formal protection. Else, we’ll have fewer newspapers at a much higher price to us all. And, let’s not forget that this nation’s job growth comes from small businesses, a great many of which who still use newspapers to grow.

    Yes, big oil briefly raised prices to match crude’s price fluctuations. But, Gannett has significantly raised prices, sharply and permanently reduced staff – including through off-shoring, and it will continue shutting down papers, cutting pages and copies to maintain its profits not for main street but for Wall Street. Hell, that’d be like big oil limiting hours, shuttering stations and jacking up prices to all-time highs for watered down gas…with no foreseeable price declines, if ever.

    Imagine the outrage if big oil did that, perhaps some concern and outrage should be shown here now about Gannett.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:39 PM

    Has anyone heard truth to a rumor of layoffs again in February - with no severance package? And continuing every two months thereafter?

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  104. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:40 PM

    Fort Myers has two MEs. Maybe they can send one to Brevard.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:40 PM

    Custom Pubs and Marketing Dept. in Phoenix. Any word on who?

    ReplyDelete
  106. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:41 PM

    I think it's hilarious that the guy in Fayetteville keeps telling us about all of the open positions at his paper....Sign of the times...send your resume to "The Chief Marketing" guy to apply for the Editor position! That's too funny. what a goof...

    ReplyDelete
  107. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:41 PM

    Lansing:

    As mentioned, NOISE
    8 ad employees
    2 plant employees
    Online news director
    3-4 people from Custom Pub department
    30-year veteran entertainment reporter

    ReplyDelete
  108. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:41 PM

    4:32, don't kid yourself. HNT'ers know how to play the game. They've been eating themselves for years now. So much plotting, backstabbing and undermining. Skippy should feel right at home there.

    ReplyDelete
  109. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:41 PM

    Condolences to the laid-off person with lymphoma at Brevard. That is incredibly heartless.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:42 PM

    Here's something about the Cincinnati paper.

    http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/blog-259-bloodletting-at-the-enquirer.html

    ReplyDelete
  111. Joe12/03/2008 4:43 PM

    The "chief marketing guy" at Fayetteville is a former marketing v.p. in Honolulu and a very short-term Gannett publisher somewhere. Believe the name is Green.

    ReplyDelete
  112. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:46 PM

    From Republic publisher:

    The past few days have been difficult.

    Throughout yesterday afternoon and this morning meetings were held to notify 68 of our colleagues at The Arizona Republic and La Voz Publishing that their jobs were being eliminated. In addition 29 accepted voluntary severance and 15 employees were offered alternative positions. The reductions are based solely on the very tough economic conditions facing the country and our company. The employees who lost their jobs served this company very well, some for many years. It is sad to see them leave and we wish them well. To assist in understanding the job market Phoenix Workforce Connection was brought onsite to help navigate the unemployment process as well as re-entry into the labor market.

    The payroll reductions in Phoenix were part of a company-wide effort. In late October I shared with you a note from Bob Dickey that described the reductions and business climate that led to the decision. At that point I asked for comments or suggestions that should be considered as we worked toward our target. Many of you offered thoughts that could limit the number of people impacted. Those suggestions and the difficult work done by each department helped keep the people reduction well below 10% and still hit the payroll target. While there is some comfort in minimizing the loss, it is shallow.

    I certainly understand the next few days and weeks will be difficult, but there is work to be done. Business will not be as usual. And that's a good thing. It needs to be different. In tough economic times we need to focus on what we do best. Our core products remain strong with audience gains in both print and online. That's a claim most media can't make and will position us well for the next growth cycle.

    I thank you for your support and always welcome new ideas.

    John Zidich

    ReplyDelete
  113. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:46 PM

    To 4:39,

    Recently some verbiage from a recently SEC form 10-Q filed by Gannett indicated that there will be more reductions in 2009. Someone posted portions of that 10-Q on this blog. Don't fool yourself, there will be more reductions after the year flips to '09. As the economy worsens and fewer ads appear in our newspapers Gannett will have to cut more to keep the money flowing into their pots so that they can continue to pay stockholders the outrageosly high dividends.

    ReplyDelete
  114. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:48 PM

    Any word on who lost jobs in Westchester? What a hell hole. A history of incompetent editors who keep surviving no matter what. Human roaches. Sorry to offend the roaches.

    ReplyDelete
  115. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:51 PM

    Any more details on Lansing?

    ReplyDelete
  116. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:52 PM

    Any word on what positions were axed at USAT?

    ReplyDelete
  117. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:53 PM

    I heard speculation about more cuts in February from an EE at a midsized Gannett newspaper last week. I trust he wasn't speaking out of line. Nothing to joke about, after all.

    ReplyDelete
  118. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:53 PM

    The guy in Fayetteville was a short time publisher in Asheville, advice is to avoid any company that is dumb enough to employ him, he is only concerned about himself. Hey maybe the ad director in Asheville will apply to work with him!

    ReplyDelete
  119. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:54 PM

    4:30 - Generous offer, but I have to ask -- does Fayetteville still have idiosyncrasies such as the refusal to mention homosexuality without condemning it?

    ReplyDelete
  120. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:55 PM

    RE: Burlington.
    Some names here:
    http://7d.blogs.com/blurt/2008/12/vt-media-layoff.html

    ReplyDelete
  121. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:55 PM

    Any roster yet for the Indy Star?

    ReplyDelete
  122. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:55 PM

    Running Lansing tally:

    NOISE pub, 4 positions
    8 ad employees
    2 plant employees
    Online news director
    2-3 people from Custom Pub department
    30-year veteran entertainment reporter
    One copy editor, just hired a couple of months ago

    ReplyDelete
  123. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:56 PM

    Also lost in Binghamton: 2 marketing, 1 circulation.
    The last ones out should turn out the lights. I'm surprised at the cuts, it would've been more prudent to cut obvious dead weight, but there are people that'd rather play with Blackberrys than pay attention to what is going on in their Newsroom (I mean Information Center).

    ReplyDelete
  124. Anonymous12/03/2008 4:57 PM

    From Binghamton ...

    -------------------

    Colleagues:

    Despite promising gains from new local advertising programs, many of our advertisers are being impacted by what is now officially a recession. Once again we have had to look at reducing expenses and, once again, I bring you difficult news.

    Over the past weeks we have closely reviewed all of our expenses, beginning with our second largest expense, newsprint. We developed a plan to reduce paper consumption through tighter control of waste, by reducing page counts on certain days, and by refining distribution of some nondaily publications. We gave close and repeated scrutiny to other nonpayroll expenses, finding literally dozens of opportunities, large and small, to reduce costs. Then we looked at payroll across Central New York, seeking to preserve, as much as possible, our ability to gather and report on local news and maintain a strong advertising sales presence.

    Overall, we determined that we needed to eliminate 40 positions across Elmira, Ithaca, Johnson City and Vestal. The names must remain confidential, but I can share these details:

    * We found nine positions, now vacant, that can remain unfilled.
    * We accepted voluntary resignations from six employees.
    * Yesterday and today, we are meeting with another 25 employees. Fifteen individuals were laid off. For 10 other employees, we were able to offer opportunities to fill other vacant positions, and at least four of those offers were accepted. So while the final number of layoffs is unclear at this hour, it will range from 15 to 21. All of those who are leaving us, voluntarily or not, will be receiving severance of up to 26 weeks.

    It is hard to see our colleagues leave. But I believe that, despite our diminished numbers, we will continue to serve our readers, advertisers and communities with strong journalism, effective advertising solutions and excellent customer service. I thank you for your continued commitment to that mission.


    Sherm Bodner

    ReplyDelete
  125. Anonymous12/03/2008 5:11 PM

    From Phoenix:

    1 retail ad layout
    2 marketing artists moving to adv artist
    1/3 of La Voz staff (can anyone confirm that?)
    3 adv artists
    1 project implementor
    11 newsroom (sorry, Information Center)
    1 ME
    1 community republic editor
    1 classified trainer
    1 ad assistant
    1 sales rep
    1 in azcentral
    1 sales mgr.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Anonymous12/03/2008 5:15 PM

    Not sure of the total count from Indy. Newsroom cuts appear to be done. 20 total. So 36% from editorial of the projected 55.

    ReplyDelete
  127. Anonymous12/03/2008 5:15 PM

    Official count in Lansing: 34 jobs cut, including 10 from the information center.

    ReplyDelete

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