Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Wednesday | June 3 | Your News & Comments
Can't find the right spot for your comment? Post it here, in this open forum. Real Time Comments: parked here, 24/7. (Earlier editions.)
41 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."
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
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.
ReplyDelete6/02/2009 11:44 AM
This pretty much says it all. The best reporters, the best ad reps have moved out of the industry. Why do some still post here? Because this is about caring for our former colleagues who are still at the Gannett Gulag.
9:33 -- Sadly, becuase the company is so big, there are still talented people within Gannett. It's hard, however, to imagine any of them staying once the economy recovers.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, my local paper ran a column this week saying that in this economy the one thing every business should be doing is working extra hard to retain current customers and make them happy. Of course, we have cut the size of the paper, cut the quality of the content and raised the price of each issue. I'm sure management would argue that the Web makes up for all this, but I've never met a reader who agreed.
The same crappy content that hits the papers is also used on the Web, and it's often thrown up in an unformatted, difficult to read form.
9:33 is correct although there still are some quality people left but not in the ranks that existed a short time ago. In Phoenix, the second largest paper in the Gannett empire, I see errors throughout the paper. Wire stories abound and the local reporting is limited at best and frequently repeated several times. Similar errors are seen at azcentral suggesting this is simply the new trend, not just errors.
ReplyDeleteI feel very sorry for the people still at the newspaper fighting goals nobody can achieve, afraid to take a stand in the papers interests if different from the manager's opinion and simply waiting for the next round of bad news.
Unfortunately, the new, younger and lower paid employees don't have the insight resulting in an environment of limited "street" information and managers who don't want to hear they may be wrong and employees who wouldn't know the difference.
Stock seems to be in free fall again. Between yesterday and today we're down almost a dollar.
ReplyDeleteToday, being June 3 is the last day of severance for those getting the max 26 weeks from the Dec. 3 layoff. Anyone out there want to tell how they're doing? Any job seekers land anything?
ReplyDelete(This one hasn't yet.)
To 11:06 AM --
ReplyDeleteGroan....Thanks for the severance reminder. While I've had a couple of interviews, have a number of applications pending and keep sending out resumes for non-media positions, I still haven't landed anything yet either.
An interesting tidbit on the news this morning: An economist surmised that once the job market recovers, those employers that have not been very kind to their employees are going to have a hard time retaining them.
ReplyDeleteTo 11:06--How fortunate for you that you had 26 weeks of full pay and medical benefits. I got two weeks of each. So sorry if I'm not real sympathetic to your plight. Now you can start really looking for a job, right? And guess what, forget about journalism unless you want to work in Podunk, USA, for about $16K which, since you had 26 years at least with Gannett, all things considered, you probably would not be prone to do. My suggestion is to try Wal-Mart. They're hiring everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI was let go in Sept. A few interviews in non-media as well as alternate media, all paying half or less what I was making before.
ReplyDeleteAnother interview next week, this one at least has a livable wage offered, but the commute with the ever increasing gas prices might be an issue, and that is if I actually get the job.
11:21 -- Imagine that. Another reason it's so obvious that Gannett is in trouble. It may weather the storm financially but, unless it changes its ways, it will come out of this depression with nothing to sell. Already advertisers are seeing diminished value.
ReplyDeleteI hate to see good banter left by the wayside so here is something on the tail end of yesterday:
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
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.
6/03/2009 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!
6/03/2009 12:15 PM
Looks like someone leaked the Period 5 results to Wall Street.
ReplyDelete10:47...I am a carrier with over a dozen years in. You are so right in cutting content, quality, and raising prices at the same time has done nothing to retain customers. I am 25 plus percent down in daily sales from last year...and thats against a 50 cent paper. Our price went to 75 in August so that's my next benchmark.
ReplyDeleteWhat do people complain about most? As you stated...content (size of the paper) along with a higher price. Add to that the paper's width being shortened by an inch or so, at the same time, magnifying it all.
And before all that, routes lost a number of racks because the circ. manager here thinks that should have cut returns! Huh? saved me gas and rack rent but I still netted a 20-30 dollar a week loss. In these times, that's a lot.
People look at me like I'm nuts, still caring about selling papers. I do. This is my livelyhood. I'm now too old to start anew and I still make more delivering (single copy) than anything else I can do. I see how people look forward to their paper every day, and not only older folks. Just the other day a guy came up to me I'd sooner think would mug me, asked if I had the local paper and USA Today. When I said yea, his eyes lit up like I just gave him a free lunch.
Papers are quick to blame low sales on, what is it now, the economy. Didn't it start out being the internet's fault? Then 24 hour news TV? Don't they know or are they fishing? papers are doing it to themselves and laying the blame on everything else.
I just heard NY Times is now 2 dollars daily and 6 Sunday. They are kidding.....right?
A lot of us carriers do care....and maybe more than the people running things since our life is DIRECTLY affected by all this.
12:18 - Of all the "revenge" sayings, I guess the only one I agree with is "Live well. It is the best revenge."
ReplyDeleteI think I have done that since my career was ruined by a vile, mean-spirited and vindictive despot little piss-ant publisher some years back while I was with gannett.
I have never forgot and never will. Every day I worked their was lived in fear that it would be my last; that I was about to be fire. This was regardless of how well I was doing, how well the newsroom was being run, how many great stories we did or how many awards we won - and that was plenty.
This squat little dictator enjoyed making all of us feel terrified every day we came in.
Finally, just days before I was to be fired, I quit in disgust. My career had been ruied by this little jerk.
But at least I did get another job in the media and am doing OK. Of course it is low pay, small paper but better than working for Gannett, I will tell you that.
So folks, stop criticizing those who are angry with gannett and hope for their failure. We have good reasons for wanting revenge for lives and careers ruined.
Dear 12:52, thank you for your comments and what you do. I came from the circulation department in a major market and want you to know how much I appreciate and respect the job you do. By the way, doing a route, knowing the ins and outs at retailers is marketable as products at all retailers get to the stores and on the shelves via people who I would hope care about their business and work as hard as you do.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever were inclined, ask a few of your better store contacts if any of the companies they do business with are short drivers. They'd be the first to know and possibly great people to at least help open doors with. Twinkies, Coke, water and other consumable items will be around long after whatever newspaper trends occur next.
Hang in there and know there are people who recognize the good work you do. Thank you for your years of service.
R
Re: 1:02pm
ReplyDeleteVery true, in many, many places. I think its a big reason for why the company is in the shape it is in. I had the "pleasure" of working for two such people in my career. Finally decided my sanity wasn't worth it. Amazing how much my self esteem went up after I left and felt valued by a new company!
I ASKED YESTERDAY AND RECEIVED A NON-ANSWER! lET'S TRY AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteI am coming up to my end of the initial 26 weeks of NJ State Unemployment Insurance. The extension they mention has a reference to aggressively seeking and documenting employment efforts. Anyone have any information on this? There is nothing out there for a 60 year old! God knows, I've tried!
1:02 PM must certainly be talking about that little asshole Bob Collins!
ReplyDeletetest
ReplyDeleteI took a job at about 60 percent of my former salary. No nights, weekends, worry, or annual reviews, and I found a way to shrink expenses to adapt.
ReplyDelete1:56: What guts it must have taken to post that. Here's hoping your employer discovers who you are and takes action. You are a liability to any company.
ReplyDeleteTo the people wondering about employment prospects: Many people here had no marketable skills. They thought they could decompose at a newsroom for 40 years and get paid to do so.
You can tell from their writing here that they had no abilities. As a result, many of them will not work again. It's a shame, but it's a fact.
CNY is advertising for Ad reps with web islands on their websites and half pages in ELmira and Ithaca.
ReplyDelete"Do you have a story to tell" is the lame heading on the ad. I thought telling stories was a reporter's job. An ad rep's ad should read "Do you have a car to drive forever and head to beat against the wall waiting for ad copy from ad services in Binghamton........"
What the hell does that have to do with advertising?
"Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete1:56: What guts it must have taken to post that. Here's hoping your employer discovers who you are and takes action. You are a liability to any company.
To the people wondering about employment prospects: Many people here had no marketable skills. They thought they could decompose at a newsroom for 40 years and get paid to do so.
You can tell from their writing here that they had no abilities. As a result, many of them will not work again. It's a shame, but it's a fact.
6/03/2009 2:25 PM"
...And you, 2:25pm, must be the new Messiah?"
How fortunate we all are that you, in your infinite wisdom and glory have graced us with your appearance and pearls of wisdom. Thank you so much.
Prick!
Tennessean launched another new web special section - www.toastofmusiccity.com
ReplyDeletelooks like they're moving torwards the web 100%
1:20 - You could not be more correct!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see how many Gannett managers have had to make trips to their doctor, hospital emergency room or shrink because of stress or panic attacks!
Believe me, it is happening throughout the company. And how many of these overworked people are also Prozacked? Kinda scary.
The pressure on the mid-level folks and worker bees now that many veterans have been fired is enormous!
And by the way... many of us who write here do so very fast and with a lot of passion - we hit the "publish" bar and THEN look to see if there are typos! So quit ragging on the spelling and errors here!
The most important thing is what we say, not our typing skills!
^^^ spoken like a true copy editor
ReplyDeletethis blog shit the bed.
ReplyDeleteBeen unemployed for 26 weeks, but just met up with a great Sugar Daddy named Sparky.
ReplyDeleteHe is taking care of me now. No need to work anymore.
2:25, If a writer worked in a newsroom for 40 years as you stated and doesn't know how to write, wouldn't that have at some point been the responsibility of their boss to point out.
ReplyDelete2:25, A few more points as I'm unclear as to what point you were trying to make. Ultimately, any employee is a reflection on their manager. Many of the better employees are now gone as Managers protect themselves. You mentioned decomposing in the newsroom and not being able to write, have you seen the quality of the publications and web sites lately? Now you truly have a chance to see poor management and poor writing working together! The growing use of poor grammar, typos, repeat articles and such are not attributes.
ReplyDeleteIn what I'm sure will be a futile attempt to move the subject to more pressing matters, has anyone heard any (legitimate) talk of what's to come in the third quarter? We're starting to see odd things happening at our site -- managers in secret meetings, making unsettling remarks about the future, etc. Anyone have anything to report?
ReplyDeleteTo 7:38 p.m. - Although not company specific, this article looks ahead. It also mentions Gannett about half-way down.
ReplyDeletewww.marketwatch.com/story/gm-bankruptcy-means-more-pain-for-newspapers-tv
Here in Arizona, we were told no more furloughs this year but that some other stuff will happen. We were given no more information. Some people are really freaking out.
ReplyDeleteI don't know and don't live in NJ, but I will research this for you and let you know what I find out.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you have to go throught this at this point in your life.
I ASKED YESTERDAY AND RECEIVED A NON-ANSWER! lET'S TRY AGAIN!
I am coming up to my end of the initial 26 weeks of NJ State Unemployment Insurance. The extension they mention has a reference to aggressively seeking and documenting employment efforts. Anyone have any information on this? There is nothing out there for a 60 year old! God knows, I've tried!
Nothing concrete. Just the rumors on this blog about possible layoffs, pay-cuts. I do know we are have having a company wide meeting at our site this month. Maybe something will be said then.
ReplyDeleteIn what I'm sure will be a futile attempt to move the subject to more pressing matters, has anyone heard any (legitimate) talk of what's to come in the third quarter? We're starting to see odd things happening at our site -- managers in secret meetings, making unsettling remarks about the future, etc. Anyone have anything to report?
Has anyone heard the same thing at the papers where they work? We need your input to get solid facts on this
ReplyDeleterather than rumors.
Here in Arizona, we were told no more furloughs this year but that some other stuff will happen. We were given no more information. Some people are really freaking out
Laid off in New Jersey:
ReplyDeleteThis is what I found out, but it appears you still have to check with your state. It's not great news, so I apologize for that:
Extended Unemployment Benefits
* Up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits, starting after the 26 weeks of standard benefits may be available to eligible unemployed workers during periods of high unemployment.
* Check with your State Unemployment Office for information on what benefits you are entitled to.
6:51/7:05: Those are all excuses the bad writers use to protect themselves. They go with the usual claims that no one will notice the typos; the points are still clear; no one reads closely, anyway, etc. All weak excuses, and all reasons for those people to be purged.
ReplyDeleteAnd why is Dumbir still posting here?
The posting by Elmira and Ithaca seeking for ad sales people is fucking pathetic! Yes, I do have a story to tell...STAY THE FUCK OUT OF THESE PAPERS AS YOU WILL NEVER HIT YOUR GOAL no matter how much you put in! Been there and being fucked over!
ReplyDeleteHere- Here 9:35!
ReplyDelete