Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Tuesday | June 2 | Your News & Comments
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59 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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I've seen several posts about open positions and hiring. I agree that I've seen some, too, including two really good jobs in Rochester.
ReplyDeleteThis says to me that there are NO mass layoffs coming. They are not just going to hire people and then have layoffs broadly.
There will probably be layoffs associated with consolidations as we've seen. Also probably there will be layoffs in areas that are becoming less targeted. However, I don't see big layoffs.
I would be surprised, though, to see the furlough program discontinued. Why would they want all that expense to drop on their SG&A line in the fourth quarter?
12:56 -- I've seen many jobs advertised that papers never intended to fill from the outside. I don't know why, but it's happened several times at the GCI paper I work for.
ReplyDeleteCandidates go to all the work and expense of submitting resumes, clips, etc. Then, they pile up on some editor's desk until they're eventually discarded. No interviews are conducted.
Usually, the position is filled by somebody in-house, after that person has done the job on a fill-in basis (with no pay raise) for three to six months. Needless to say, that person's former job then goes dark.
From a previous post: "When will those who remain stand up and say,'enough'?"
ReplyDeleteI'm almost there. I've been working to get my financial ducks in a row for awhile, and I'm almost where I need to be. The minute I don't feel like I'll be screwing my family financially if I walk out on my job, I'll tell these greedy bastards to kiss my ass.
I can't imagine anyone with an ounce of marketable talent continuing to work for this company once the economy recovers and people are hiring again.
Dateline Detroit: One week furloughs were announced today and are to be taken between June 1 and September 30. This comes immediately after the layoffs of 129 employees this past Friday.
ReplyDelete6/01/2009 7:57 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course they are. Detroit was exempt from furloughs Q1/2 because they were working to move to a 3-day/week model. They have have to take their turn. Means nothing as far as the rest of the company is concerned. And I would be sorely surprised if there weren't layoffs since they only deliver three days to their home delivery customers, which is 80% of their distribution.
Now here's a good bridge-burner getting ready to do his thing:
ReplyDeleteFrom a previous post: "When will those who remain stand up and say,'enough'?"
I'm almost there. I've been working to get my financial ducks in a row for awhile, and I'm almost where I need to be. The minute I don't feel like I'll be screwing my family financially if I walk out on my job, I'll tell these greedy bastards to kiss my ass.
I can't imagine anyone with an ounce of marketable talent continuing to work for this company once the economy recovers and people are hiring again.
6/02/2009 3:22 AM
On the employment scene in NJ. Does anyone know what the process is after the initial 26 unemployment benefits run out? The website speaks of agressively seeking another job, and there just aren't any. What the story, NJ people?
ReplyDeleteGreat great clip......
ReplyDeletehttp://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/05/23/feeling_pressed/
I nominate My Boss Said for new blog owner. That posters recent comments are right on the money -- as in lining Dubow's pocket and doing a mass layoff this month.
ReplyDeleteSORRY HERE IS IS AGAIN.....GREAT CLIP
ReplyDeletehttp://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/05/23/feeling_pressed/
Would someone in Phoenix tell someone to stop printing the same article about the closing of "Six Lounge" in Scottsdale. It closed last week and the same article has been in the paper Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and again today.
ReplyDeleteI get it, it's closed!
Wait....now this clown at 12:56 must be drunk off his ass or really freaking stupid...Two really good jobs in Rochester?? Have you ever been to Rochester? Have you ever worked at Gannett? There are no good jobs at Gannett, they all suck, they own your soul. In Rochester of all places too, what the hell is there to do in Rochester except get laid off from Kodak, get mugged, or grow a third eye ball from swimming in Lake Ontario....Better off bagging groceries at Wegmans down on Lyell Ave, atleast they are one of the 100 best companies to work for.
ReplyDelete7:37 -- Some bridges should never be crossed more than once.
ReplyDeleteNJ Unemployed, many of the smaller publishing companies in NJ are hiring. Granted, you will not see the bloated salaries that some were getting with a Gannett NJ paper, but there are jobs available.
ReplyDeleteSome folks here are so naive!
ReplyDeleteOf COURSE Gannett papers will be hiring new folks amidst the layoffs.... these will be young newbies (and at some papers, young cutie newbies) who will stay after the veterans are laid off. They won't be hired then fired.... are you kidding?
It will be the "old troublemakers" who will be fired in the next round, just like the December Baby Boomer Massacre"
Since Gannett pretends to be an information company, I think some sites can jump through hoops and get a special dispensation to actually fill a position in the newsroom if someone quits. Trouble is, our last two young hires can't spell and are lousy reporters. And no one has time to coach them; they're too busy doing useless Web shit and attending planning meetings.
ReplyDeleteAnyone with marketable talent has left Gannett. That is why the mgmt is so damn strict, they know everyone, including themselves are morons. So they have to have everything spelled out for them by the corporate goons running the ship. No one has an original thought because they all left, and if anyone does have one then they implement operation write-up which leads to you being thrown out the back door with all the cancelled niche pubs.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mind the changes at Gannett till they started fucking with my job.
ReplyDeleteSo when they did I fucking left.
"Anyone with marketable talent has left Gannett. That is why the mgmt is so damn strict, they know everyone, including themselves are morons. So they have to have everything spelled out for them by the corporate goons running the ship. No one has an original thought because they all left, and if anyone does have one then they implement operation write-up which leads to you being thrown out the back door with all the cancelled niche pubs." Wow! This is the perfect description of the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, NJ. Must have been posted by someone who either works there are did work there.
ReplyDeleteI'll offer an idea.
ReplyDeleteManagement: the Wall Street Journal last week had an interesting story on the struggles of Twitter founders to keep up with growth at their company. How about we buy Twitter? I'm not saying this solves all the problems, but it would strike me as a bold move for a company that needs to make some game-changing moves. You might find some nice web synergies there.
And if you do, and it succeeds, please remember you got this idea from one of the minions and spare us another furlough/layoff in gratitude for the launch it will have for your career. You can pay that forward.
9:30, they probably will print it one more time to make it an even... Six!
ReplyDeleteIt's very unfortunate, top management comes from the old days of being the "only game in town" when it comes to advertising, information... They came up through the industry in good times with little management or leadership skills for times like these. The same holds true for a lot of managers and salespeople whose skills were premised around being a sellers market when it came to advertising. In Phoenix, ad reps literally had dozens and dozens of offerings, easily enough to confuse any buyer (and the rep!). Plus the importance of these many offerings was frequently based on the newest hot community publication, free magazine and such. Doesn't matter how it might effect ROP advertising, fill the pages of someone's newest pet project or else. Content? The discussions about paid online content would be great if this was 15-20 years ago. But the quality of the product has been so diluted as to reduce it's value as seen in the free distribution community papers, why would someone buy this online? Especially as more of the paper comes from wire reports, might be more viable to simply subscribe or buy content of a national like NYT. I don't mean to be negative, I'm taking a realistic view of the industry and am open to someone providing points showing otherwise. As for Senior Management, I do feel sorry for them as well as I'm told a fair amount of time is spent looking to reduce expenses which now always means jobs.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the stock today???
ReplyDeleteWhat a joke the Tucson Citizen website is and tasteless to boot. A blog called "Day of the Dead" and listing fatalities with some kind of tacky comment about "we will put you to rest." How totally disrespectful and so totally Gannett.
ReplyDeleteHey NJ rocks, whats the story with the new position at the app with the low salary and apparently it's a short timer job. Don't tell me someone is really going to actually takke it!!!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't mind the changes at Gannett till they started fucking with my job.
ReplyDeleteSo when they did I fucking left.
6/02/2009 11:45 AM
Well then, why don't you stay away where things are so good? You are probably still employed by Gannett and are just a big blowhard. If you really are someplace else, announce yourself. What have you got to lose?
Right, I didn't think so.
New editor in Shreveport: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906020308
ReplyDeleteInteresting as cuts to LA newspapers continue despite profits rolling in. New editor won't have a local copy desk.
Maybe we could start a thread of the best exit strategies executed by now former Gannett employees. Jim may be at the top of the list... I'd nominate Gary Watson (If we know he left on his own versus being forced) for leaving and moving to next life. Choosing to leave versus being told to leave. It has to be someone who determined their own fate -- took a buyout or resigned for a new life, new career.
ReplyDeleteSo a paper in the South just took down an editing position it had posted at the direction of the publisher.
ReplyDeleteThat job also had a posted salary of about $15,000 less than it once paid only three years ago, and only asked for three years of newspaper experience.
Wanna tell me there's not something afoot for the third quarter now?
Hey! That third eye I grew from swimming in Lake Ontario comes in pretty handy 'cuz now I can see the muggers sneaking up on me from behind!
ReplyDelete2:14 The Period 5 results came in, and they were not good. So the stock slumped 10 percent. More to come later.
ReplyDeleteJim Cramer, who hosts the CNBC show "Mad Money", is looking for a new CEO to put up on his "Wall of Shame". (He had McClatchy's Gary Pruitt up for months, until their stock went under a buck.)
ReplyDeleteIf any of you can "possibly" think of a CEO that might be worthy, send your recommendation to him at: madmoney@cnbc.com
Hey 2:40 "NJ ROCKS HERE "! Its just another dead end job that will screw over anyone stupid enough to take it.# 1 you will not get a severance package and # 2 salary will be reduced below what unemployment will pay .What idiot will take it ??STAY TUNED
ReplyDeleteSomebody please explain the Tucson Citizen site. How does any company allow something like that going public? You'd thing amidst the closing of the paper Gannett would have had a plan that suggests they a) Have a plan and b) had an idea how to usher in the future in cases where local papers may close. So far they're 0-2.
ReplyDeleteThe furloughs allowed Gannett to identify those employees (particularly exempt employees) not critical to the operation. Here at least one higher paid employee was replaced with a lower-paid, harder working staff person, with no loss of quality. I think the furoughs will be among the tools used to make further cuts.
ReplyDeleteRe: Afrika's promotion from ME in Tallahassee to EE in Louisiana --
ReplyDeleteAll I ever heard about Tallahassee when I was at another Florida paper (last year) is how screwed up it was there. And they were ALWAYS hiring reporters and editors.
WTF???
I strongly feel that Afrika was a diveresity hire. And there are MANY throughout Gannettland.
>>>Maybe we could start a thread of the best exit strategies executed by now former Gannett employees.<<<
ReplyDelete----
I took a Buyout when the Senior Director of Brand Marketing on 5th floor blurted I "had no talent" for 30 seconds at a Gallup Meeting. The pay is better, I work with adults and I use my non-talent for the gubmint. I must have The Juice.
I didn't mind the changes at Gannett till they started fucking with my job.
ReplyDeleteSo when they did I fucking left.
6/02/2009 11:45 AM
Then why are you here?
10:23 AM.. Thanks for answering my question, but you are wrong! And what BLOATED GANNETT SALARIES?
ReplyDelete> http://tucsoncitizen.com/
ReplyDelete> This is a joke, right? it's horrible.
They don't use SaxoTech, so they get to design their own website. It reminds me of that blogging software with the white pages and fading blue banner at the top.
Would you rather have that or the Gannett design? (serious question)
What's the matter 5:05? I told you what happened, plain and simple. What part of "so I fucking left" don't you understand???
ReplyDeleteRight on there tough guy.
I am 11:44. Sorry but can't say I ever worked at Cherry Hill.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, atleast Gannett is consistent with their style!
That corporate operations guy earned his ring!
I've been to Rochester, that's where I met the infamous Ann Clark!
ReplyDeleteWhat a waste of time!
USA TODAY is beginning to have the feel of other Gannett papers. Errors, sloppy oversights, pedestrian design, no pizzazz, a declining sense of credibility, caption and graphics that just leave you wondering how this stuff gets into a national newspaper. Wonder when the public will start noticing that the colorful rag is regressing?
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteI've seen this act before. How much did Gannett pay you to close this blog?
There is a meeting in Des Monies this week. Anyone know what it's about. More Layoffs to come??????
ReplyDeleteWhy so dead on here last few days? It's not over yet.
ReplyDeleteWord has it there will be more layoffs at the Honolulu Advertiser! SHHHHHHHHHH..........
ReplyDeleteTallahassee is a mess because of the EE. Dude needs to back off and let his employees do their jobs instead of micromanaging them all day. Shreveport has been going downhill for a while now and will continue to do so under the leadership of a first-time EE.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have Period 5 sales results paper-by-paper, or state-by-state? We need to see this stuff as it will provide some insight into futher possible reductions. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWhat's the matter 5:05? I told you what happened, plain and simple. What part of "so I fucking left" don't you understand???
ReplyDeleteRight on there tough guy.
6/02/2009 9:34 PM
So answer my question, Mr. Tough Guy: why are you still here messing around with Gannett things? You should be merrily on your way at another job. But you can't even say who you are or note the job, which makes me suspect you really haven't left after all!
You are still here and are just a blow hard. Prove me wrong.
Amir said...
ReplyDelete>>>Maybe we could start a thread of the best exit strategies executed by now former Gannett employees.<<<
----
I took a Buyout when the Senior Director of Brand Marketing on 5th floor blurted I "had no talent" for 30 seconds at a Gallup Meeting. The pay is better, I work with adults and I use my non-talent for the gubmint. I must have The Juice.
6/02/2009 8:16 PM
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!! That's so funny. I hear you really do have no talent. Makes sense you aren't here now. If you did have talent you would be so busy at your new job you wouldn't have the time to bust on people you used to work with. You still aren't over Gannett and wish you were back. If things were so great where you are you wouldn't need to tell everyone how great they were.
There once was Amir from Nantuckett,
ReplyDeletewho was told at his work you "suck it"
he walked out the door
because he was a bore
and went someplace else
to fake it
Why so dead on here last few days? It's not over yet.
ReplyDelete6/03/2009 2:57 AM
ALMOST
8:06 -- Gannett has created such an backward, unfriendly working environment that it can be tough for anyone who cares about their work to let go.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, of course, that people should move on, but that can be tough. It's sad but everyone, deep down inside, hopes for a little bit of revenge.
Now the question for you: If your Gannett job is so great, why are you perusing this blog and taking the time to call out people who may no longer work for the company? Shouldn't you be basking in the everyday glory that is Gannett? Better yet, go buy some shit and stimulate the economy. If you're so happy you must be paid a boatload, and you're probably way too valuable for the company to cut.
There is a meeting in Des Monies this week. Anyone know what it's about. More Layoffs to come??????
ReplyDelete6/03/2009 2:08 AM
We have had big meetings with top execs for the last three days, don't tell me nothing is going to happen, something is going to happen and it will be more than the next two quarters of furloughs and i agree I think the furloughs are showing who they need and who they don't.
11:11 -- I think the people who believe furloughs are showing who the company needs are missing the point.
ReplyDeleteThis company doesn't "need" anyone. Quality is not an issue, and the only down side to laying off experienced workers is a decrease in productivity and quality.
If Gannett sees a situation where they can pay somebody 30% less to have a job done at a slightly lower level, it will gladly make that trade. That's why most of the papers are crap. It's why customer service is terrible.
You can get away with a lot of bad business practices when you have a monopoly. And -- on the print side -- Gannett has a monopoly in almost every market it serves.
Everyone in this company -- even the upper-level managers -- are viewed as commodities. They can be bought, sold and discarded at will. That's why every employee would do well to realize this and focus on making himself or herself more marketable in the future. There are no safe jobs in the newspaper industry and there are certainly none within Gannett.
Now the question for you: If your Gannett job is so great, why are you perusing this blog and taking the time to call out people who may no longer work for the company? Shouldn't you be basking in the everyday glory that is Gannett? Better yet, go buy some shit and stimulate the economy. If you're so happy you must be paid a boatload, and you're probably way too valuable for the company to cut.
ReplyDelete6/03/2009 10:54 AM
To answer your question, it is simply because I enjoy my job and think some of the comments on here need to be monitored since the blog owner doesn't.
And I do buy some shit but balance that with saving and purchasing the shit I need and can afford. I wish I was paid a boatload, which is a very relative term and you may think I am paid a boatload or I may think YOU are paid a boatload. But we'll never know.
As for value to the company, well, that is always debatable. Who knows the value of me? I certainly don't. I could be dropped any day and that's where the savings come in. If I was dropped, the Gannett blog is the last place I would spend any time.
Now, as far as the subject of revnege, I'll just leave you with a few parting words of others:
By taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing over it, he is superior.
Revenge is sweeter than life itself. So think fools. [Lat., At vindicta bonum vita jucundius ipsa nempe hoc indocti.]
Author: Juvenal (Decimus Junius Juvenal)
You cannot get ahead while you are getting even.
Author: Dick Armey
Live well. It is the greatest revenge.
Author: The Talmud
I'm sure yo will come up with some equally pointed quotes on why revenge is sweet!
To the Tough Guy:
ReplyDeleteThis is NOT owned by Gannett, and I did my time there so I am damn well entitled to post on here if I please.
Discussing exit strategies, past work experiences and post-Gannett endevours are common place on this blog, moron.
Mine might be too complex for you to understand, but it worked.
You're obviously just a spiteful prick stuck in a dead end no where cubical that is pissed at the world that should have paid a little bit more attention in school.
The world keeps spinning, either move with it, which you obviously aren't, or your going to get dizzy watching it spin in the rut known as Gannett.
Another tip, just because you work for Gannett dosen't mean you need to believe the crap printed by them.
Me proving anything will prove nothing moron.
(Flexing Biceps)
9:44 is another gutless wonder.
ReplyDeleteJim is a nut who's looking for the right place to go off. Amir is probably the dumbest poster here.