Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday | May 11 | Your News & Comments
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52 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
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First?
ReplyDeleteQuestion, are Susan Page and the other USAT folks who appear on NPR (and other broadcast outlets) paid by Gannett, NPR or is it gratis? If they're paid by NPR is their time away from the paper leave, lunch break or what? What are the mechanics of those relationships?
thanks.
Does anyone know why Margaret Buchanan is visiting the Newspaper Network of Central Ohio sites this week? There has been a lot of spring cleaning going on the past week.
ReplyDeleteJim, do you know what the ethics policies are for a publisher that is spending time with an employee on the weekends?
So Gannett is trying to cut costs....I get it. My question however is: are they looking at how to increase sales AT ALL????
ReplyDeleteFrom what I see here, and at my paper, no.
Something wrong with that picture from my view.
5/11/2009 12:13 AM
ReplyDeleteWhat's your point?....NPR does not pay people....NON PROFIT, who cares if they are paid by Gannett or not, it is National Public Radio...ask your supervisor if you can go too....yes Gannett will let you chat with those folk and yes you will not be charged for time off in most cases and I bet...I just bet you get FREE donuts too!!!
Anyone know when the lay-offs are coming as I would rather get laid off than fired due to lack of sales in a struggling economy!!!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone knows how to get blood from a stone...please pass on that helpful advice!!!!
12:13 a.m. proving that, yes, there are some dumb questions.
ReplyDeleteIn my former (thank effing goodness) life as a Gannett employee I sometimes appeared on public radio and public television. I also, once in a while, showed up on national radio. The public TV gig, when I was part of its talking heads panel show, paid me a small fee ($30, I think). The others did not. I had to give my editors a "heads up" before each one, is all.
Now as to the stupidity of the question, why does it matter if it's leave or lunch break? Part of building credibility, a deeper contact base, even (gasp!) brand identity involves making a reporter an authority on a particular subject. I hope every reporter builds "street cred" through more public outreach, and isn't constrained by the small-mindedness of 12:13 who seems worried that a particular in-house expert might be getting a little extra on the side.
Question, does anyone know what's going on in Jackson Mississippi? Rumor has it that the production executive has left the company. Maybe the consolidation isn't going well?
ReplyDeleteto 6:46; NPR does indeed pay its people. And some of them quite well. Steve Inskeep, some of their other on-air talent, are making over $300K a year. I kid you not. Odd that they have so many on-air donation drives...
ReplyDeleteWell, the presses have come to a stop in Fort Collins. Good bye dear friends and good luck. Tomorrows edition will be rollinf off of a DNA press 60 miles south.
ReplyDeleteAre there any fees when you transfer your matched Gannett shares into other funds?
ReplyDeleteAny one out there have any St.Cloud Times /MPLS Gannett Offset Rumors or info?
ReplyDeleteNPR does pay, and it is government-subsidized funding, but you will have a hell of a time tracking it down. It is usually $2000 for a half-hour show, plus limo service to drive you to and from their studio, nestled in a flood plane not far fromm the historic Arlington County sewage treatment plant. But these costs are hidden, along with those made by the hosts who get huge salaries kept non-public by funneling them through separate corporations. NPR pays the corporations the money for the shows, and the corporations pay everyone involved. Clever, eh? Gives NPR the excuse to say it is really losing money, and needs more federal assistance.
ReplyDeleteDoes that Jackson comment refer to Darrell Sandlin...he's a good guy.
ReplyDeleteAnyone with info please share
RE: 6:46 I didn't have a point. I am simply interested in how it works. I don't think it's wrong and don't have a problem with anyone from USAT appearing on NPR or other broadcast outlet. Just wondering what the mechanics of it are. Take a pill or something, your blood pressure is a little high.
ReplyDeleteHey, I am getting my news from the radio lately (WNYC) and I don't even have to sit down and turn pages.
ReplyDeleteYou know, there ARE some people who care about print journalism and are trying to do something about making it viable again.
ReplyDeleteThere's an article in San Francisco Business Times reporting that Warren Hellman, of Hellman & Friedman fame, is organizing a team of consultants to develop a new sustainable model for newspaper journalism.
Although his efforts are aimed at the San Francisco Chronicle, the article report that "based in San Francisco, said the group is exploring options that could have implications throughout the news media industry.
Since this is happening in Jim's back yard, is it possible that we could have an update as things progress with the working group? I know it's not Gannett, exactly, but any lifeline or workable model for newspapers, regardless of corporate connections, could make a difference in preserving our livelihoods.
6:28 am - I suspect that Buchanan is there to let them know that for their sizes, these Ohio papers are WAY overstaffed. These papers for some reason were spared the massive firings in December and are still not making the grade, I am told.
ReplyDeleteAs for the publisher spending "weekend time" with the employee - unfortunately, Gannett is VERY selective in how it enforces "ethical conduct". From what I know about these papers from afar - but still with colleagues who still work there - what you are talking about could be one of several publishers in this group.
I suspect I know which. Which is a shame since if it is who I think, this publisher should have been fired long ago.
I'm not going back to work in the 3Q, am I? Thanks Indy press union!
ReplyDeleteMy word verification is cooma.
COOOOOOOMMMMAAAAAAAAAA!!
Just like my Journeyman career
"Anyone know when the lay-offs are coming as I would rather get laid off than fired due to lack of sales in a struggling economy!!!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone knows how to get blood from a stone...please pass on that helpful advice!!!!"
5/11/2009 7:40 AM
------------------------------------
I'm really wanting to know about any possible layoff's in Westchester -If anyone has any idea! please post : )
8:26...there are absolutely no fees for transferring money around in your 401k.... You could do it daily if you would like!
ReplyDeleteAre all top managers heading to Corp tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:28 AM - Sorry to hear who's coming, but unless I missed it, the NNCO appears to be a better organizational fit with Cincinnati's operations than who they report to now.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the folks in NNCO are spared layoffs. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteIs every Human resource VP/Director at corporate today and tomorrow?
ReplyDelete12:07 and 12:33: Not fair. You know more; please tell us, or back off.
ReplyDeleteDamn, Jim! That was a little harsh. Maybe the trolls will stay away eith their BS if you keep that attitude up!
ReplyDeleteCool
Thank you for trying to hold someone accountable. If they don't add more details, delete their post!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Production guy in Jackson quit but I do not know why. They will not hire a replacement director but they are likely to find a "manager" who they think can somehow handle Jackson and the USA Today presses in Hattiesburg.
ReplyDeleteConsolidate USAT into Jackson and you'd have the PERFECT replacement hire... the guy who ran Hattiesburg and was laid off in September can handle both operations with no problem, however Austin is too stupid to do what makes sense. He'd rather follow the corporate mantra... "cut, cut, cut ... continue to run them into the ground.... who cares!"
I am OK with people speculating on blogs if they present it as such. But when they state something as fact or as inevitable, without even a hint of sourcing, I too think the comments should be deleted. A lot of us hear rumors, and I am fine with sharing those rumors and educated guesses if there is at least some sort of foundation for them. I much rather hear credible rumors than imaginary ones. I am not a big fan of hit and run comments. Those one-sentence remarks kill the credibility of this blog. State it as a rumor or an observation based on certain trends and make it more than five words, or don't bother. Don't just say wild stuff to stir people up. Explain why you think something is going to happen.
ReplyDeleteI know this is the age of Tweeter and Facebook, but can we all agree to put a little more time and thought into our comments? We aren't 12 years old. We are professionals and shouldn't fall into this dumbing down through technology crap that seems to be running rampant in society.
This is 12:33PM and I don't know if anything is going on. I just know our VP of HR is at corporate today and tomorrow. Was just wanting to know if all HR execs where there.
ReplyDeletethis 12:06...I know Ft meyers is going to be at Corp...I was wondering if there were others!
ReplyDeleteThere was post yesterday that Tucson is hiring. Can anyone elaborate on that? What are they hiring? Stringers or temps? Or is there more going on?
ReplyDeletethanks.
10:07, your remarks indicate you are indeed clueless about the operations at NNCO properties. You wrote:
ReplyDelete"I suspect that Buchanan is there to let them know that for their sizes, these Ohio papers are WAY overstaffed. These papers for some reason were spared the massive firings in December and are still not making the grade, I am told."
Some facts may be in order, if you choose to care about them:
-- No NNCO newpaper I know of is overstaffed these days. None. Nada. Zip. Several of these papers share publishers. Some share editors. Some share copy desk operations. Printing was centralized long ago.
-- Spared massive firings? If NNCO papers were able to hold personnel reductions down, it's only because they have run lean for a long time now.
-- Still not making the grade? All 10 of these smaller Gannett properties are money-makers, thanks to prudent management and effective use of resources.
Before you care to pop off again, why not do better research?
6:46 and 7:41, you ought to feel blessed that your Gannett shop allows or allowed you to do such things and get a fee of any kind.
ReplyDeleteI think your point about being an expert in your field and being regarded as such is very well taken. But I know of a Gannett shop in the Northeast where gigs that had any relation to what you did for the Gannett outlet were approved on the condition that you did them gratis. I specifically was told that accepting money for it was a conflict of interest.
Like so many other things, it seems everyone has different rules applied depending on which Gannett shop they're in.
Thank you, 4:05 pm, for that very detailed response. I wish we had more comments like yours.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that "NNCO" stands for "News? Nobody Cares Ohio" Or at least that's what I heard.
ReplyDeleteAnd it is nice to see a Gannett corporate defend these small community Ohio papers for a change. In my Wisconsin group when I was there, we were told over and over that the Ohio and Indiana papers were creating a "drain on the company."
I still wonder who this publisher is, not that it matters to Gannett. All the publishers are corporate plants who are protected from any discipline. Certainly no "ethics policy" will stop one of them from abusing their position OR their employees.
And by the way, haven't all those papers shown MAJOR drops in circulation? What kind of success is that?
Not sure which publisher you're talking about taking up with an employee, but once upon a time, there was a Gannett West president who took up with one of her publishers -- they eventually married, of course.
ReplyDelete3:34 I am fascinated by what is going on in Tucson. I think what is happening is that the Justice Department will nix GCI's plans to continue getting money from the JOA by folding the Citizen. This will put corporate in a fix. They currently are making about $10 million from this JOA, and if I am right about the Justice Department, will lose that if they pull out. So there is nothing to do but soldier on and wait for a Republican administered Justice Department. It is their own damn fault. Corporate waited too long to do this. Justice was handing out these goodies to publishers last year, but not this year or at least the next three years.
ReplyDeleteIf the Feds nix the Tucson deal, it also stops Gannett and Singleton from closing the Detroit News and Singleton remaining to get his money. Tucson was just the test to see if the Feds will allow Gannett to close the News.
ReplyDeleteWhy not sell the 50 percent share in the JOA and the Citizen to a third party. At $10 million a year, it used to be worth about 15 times earnings on the market, or $150 million. In this recession, newspapers are selling for less, but $50 to $100 million would seem about right, allowing corporate to use the money retiring some of this debt. I don't think GCI is very popular in Tucson these days.
ReplyDelete7:45 No, the Justice Department a couple of years back okayed a deal to shut down the Albuquerque Tribune, but yet allow owner Scripps to continue to get money from the JOA. They are still being paid for this, and will get annual payments from that JOA until 2035, even though they don't publish. So GCI wasn't waiting to see what happened to the Citizen to see what they want to do in Detroit. For the life of me, I cannot figure out who put them in this Detroit mess, and yes, I understand the history. If GM takes its headquarters south, as it seems it will, there won't be much reason left for Detroit to exist.
ReplyDelete"If GM takes its headquarters south, as it seems it will, there won't be much reason left for Detroit to exist.
ReplyDelete5/11/2009 8:02 PM"
Where do you get that? Here's what I just read on Edmonds.com:
Responding to questions about whether GM's headquarters could be moved out of Detroit, Henderson said, "We've got a fairly large complement of people here, and we'll probably be here." Asked about whether GM is considering a move to suburban Detroit, he said such a move would have to have a "business rationale" but did not rule it out.
8:09 CNBC has been talking about it a couple of times today. Apparently came up at some conference.
ReplyDeleteHere's the CNBC report on GM musing about leaving Detroit:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnbc.com/id/30682967
"Thank you, 4:05 pm, for that very detailed response. I wish we had more comments like yours."
ReplyDeleteJim, there have been more comments like that, but either you wreck them with your insanity, or your sheep come in and shit all over them.
Any one out there have any St.Cloud Times /MPLS Gannett Offset Rumors or info?
ReplyDelete5/11/2009 8:32 AM
Answer: I would find a new Job quickly as it is shutting down. Also, Bill A is not what everyone thinks he is. Watch your back. I'm in the same building an he is a back stabber.
5:02; "And by the way, haven't all those papers shown MAJOR drops in circulation? What kind of success is that?"
ReplyDeleteAre there any Gannett papers that have not shown MAJOR drops in circ?
And Wisconsin blaming Ohio and Indiana for "creating a drain on the company" is the equivalent to the famous Wizard of Oz line about the man and the curtain.
It doesn't matter where that great sucking sound is coming from, because we are all going down together.
Word verification: mentl. Like the company.
"Also, Bill A is not what everyone thinks he is. Watch your back. I'm in the same building an he is a back stabber."
ReplyDeleteAnother coward. Here's hoping the company identifies this person and takes action.
Hey 10:45... If that is the same Bill A that worked in Phoenix..... your right!
ReplyDelete8:09 CNBC has been talking about it a couple of times today. Apparently came up at some conference.
ReplyDelete5/11/2009 8:33 PM
Here's a quote from the article. It says nothing about moving south. There was some musing about moving to the Detroit suburbs. I can't see where the cost of moving a company that large would be worth it. Plus, they need to get rid of the building. I think it is bluff for the unions. Anyway:
General Motors is open to considering moving its headquarters from Detroit, selling off U.S. plants and even renegotiating parts of its restructuring plan with its major union, the new chief executive said Monday.
Drudge Report has GM moving from Detroit as lead item. It is a major story.
ReplyDelete3:32 PM -- That makes 2 from the South group at corporate.
ReplyDelete