Regarding my post about whether a blog in the 1990s might have positively influenced Gannett's culture, a reader recalls former USA Today editor John Quinn (left): "About two years into Gannett ownership of our newspaper, we had a Gannett publisher but were just making the transition from homegrown to imported newsroom leadership. The longtime editor was nearing retirement, and with no obvious successor in-house (also due to age), it was inevitable that the first Gannettoid would be joining the staff."Quinn worked quietly with senior newsroom staffers to craft a new editorial leadership structure that made the process as painless as possible. Then he showed up unannounced one day with the new guy in tow.
"After introductions in the newsroom, Quinn and the import were joined by the longtime local editor in a march into the startled publisher's office. 'We've got a new arrangement for the newsroom,' Quinn told the publisher. 'Now, how are you going to try to f**k it up?'"
"All laughed heartily, although the publisher's laughter was rather nervous. Message received, and mission accomplished."
Join the debate, in the original post.
[Photo: Freedom Forum]
There was a time when editors had some freedom, respect, and independent power away from the profit motives. Time since has passed.
ReplyDeleteEnter Dean Singleton and the rest of the corporate mess. Or is that morass. More ass.
Jim,
ReplyDeleteJohn C. Quinn was known as the conscience of the company and he was.
I remember one bad economic year when publishers were cutting back on travel for editorial departments.
Cuts were significant enough so as to jeopardize attendance at the American Society of Newspaper Editors' meeting.
Quinn's solution was to call a mandatory news division meeting in the same location the day before the ASNE meeting.
Gannett began to go to hell when John C. Quinn retired.
73s,
John M. Simpson
Quinn should have mentored Mark Silverman. Mark was too busy throwing newspapers in the air.
ReplyDeleteyes, yes, and yes on Quinn. But, that same vigor, morality, truth was needed throughout including the Corporate Office. It didn't happen because Gannett got too big for their britches.
ReplyDeleteWe spent months on the budget instead of time training and time in the field.
The ego's screwed the company.
Too bad for all of those honest, hard-working employees.
Not all of the papers Silverman threw were verticals. I witnessed some well aimed horizontals at Louisville.
ReplyDeleteThere was nobody who fought harder for the newsrooms than Quinn. I have personally watched him battle bean counters on expenses and salaries and production VPs on deadlines. Similarly, he demanded that newsrooms produce good, solid journalism and shake up the status quo in the local communities. He fully understood that at the end of the day this is a business and to continue to exist businesses have to make money. He just made damn sure it wasn't done on the backs of the newsrooms. Yes, Quinn was the conscience of the company and as was mentioned in another posting he never left his wounded on the battle field. Quinn was demanding, but he was compassionate. He treated people with dignity and respect, unless it was some recalcitrant publisher. A lot that was good about Gannett died when Quinn retired. There is nobody of Quinn's stature in Gannett, which is a large reason why nothing will change.
ReplyDelete