The newspaper division executive in charge of circulation is retiring, according to a memo that offers at least one clue about that secret management shuffle in McLean, Va. From the memo Vice President Rob Althaus just sent to publishers and other top bosses:"It is with sadness but with great zeal and enthusiasm that I tell you that effective 1/2/2009 I will be retiring from Gannett. It has been my pleasure to work with such a terrific group of Gannett professionals for the past 18 years and for that I thank all of you. I have enjoyed every day of being a circulator for the past 37 years and I will miss the hard work, camaraderie and the friendships. However, I sincerely look forward to the next chapter. Best wishes to all and thanks again for all that you have done for me."
[Photo: detail of the Gannett Tower at McLean, Kohn Pedersen Fox]
Who (in the world) is Rob Althaus? Why isn't Clark and Currie getting the ax?
ReplyDeleteThey are beyong worthless, they are detrimental to the media for ruining so many careers.
I never thought Althouse had a brain, but he has proven me wrong. Retire now and get the payout, before the company files Chapter 11Bankruptcy. He may actually get his retirement funds -- and his 2008 bonus-- before the curtain falls. Smart move, Rob.
ReplyDeleteThat's for sure, 5:27. Imppecable timing. Wonder who is going to replace him.
ReplyDeleteI attended some training sessions where he was in attendence and he seemed like a nice enough guy. I think he knew how to have a good time. I don't blame him for bailing.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame him for Bailing? Thats funny :) Plenty of jobs in the real world for older dudes. I was glad he didn't use that old line of "spending more time with family" They get rid of the smart guy and keep the idiots. A peek into upcoming events for many
ReplyDeleteSomething though is not right in circulation...google Des Moines Register complaints and there are lots of complaints about missed papers, papers never started etc. People have QUIT the paper due to the poor customer service.
ReplyDeleteHead of Marketing & Research David Daughtery is gone too.
ReplyDelete8:09: THANK GOD!!!!!!! My favorite through the years (not) was always listening to what Daughtery claimed my demographic wanted. If he was at the crux of helping to determine strategy, it's no surprise we are in the trouble we are in. What a waste of paycheck.
ReplyDeleteI liked Althaus he is a nice smart guy. He is one VP that would at least say hi to you
ReplyDeleteHey, 9:25 PM: If we are in trouble right now, it's because of idiots like you who think that was readers want makes no difference. Unless you plan to buy every copy that your paper prints, and click on every ad on its web site, I suggest you get your head out of your ass.
ReplyDeleteCorporate management is a sorry affair, but don't slam someone whose biggest offense was letting you know what your customers think of your work product.
I wonder if Althaus' retirement is voluntary or forced. He is the brains behind the wonderful Center of Excellence project. Does anyone know?
ReplyDeleteRob and Dave were two of the nicer ones there, at least they tried to communicate with us. I think that they both are around sixty and figured why not get out before its too late.
ReplyDeleteRob is a good man, he seemed to care about the people at the local papers! I'm sure all the travel his position required got old as well.
ReplyDeleteSo what is the benefit of waiting until January 2 to retire? There's gotta be some reason to work into 2009, does it just move any retirement bonuses into next year's income tax or something more than that?
ReplyDeleteSo what is the benefit of waiting until January 2 to retire? There's gotta be some reason to work into 2009, does it just move any retirement bonuses into next year's income tax or something more than that?
ReplyDeleteYour social security monthly retirement check is based on an average of your 5 highest-income years. (You might have just received your annual estimation from the SSA a week or two ago, BTW.) So, if you're making the most coin you've ever made right now, you want to use this entire year as the last of the five years from which the calculation is made.
ReplyDeleteCrap - I'm starting to sound like an HR robot, better stop before I'm targeted to be laid off! ;-o
Don't forget about completing the year for the year-end bonus.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Des Moines circ issues started after their COE took over. Too bad it wasn't thought out a little more before implementation.
ReplyDeleteRob Althaus was a nice guy. He was not prententious like some circulation heads I knew. I wish him the best.
ReplyDelete7:42 - When you get your Soc. Sec. estimate depends on when your birthday is.
ReplyDeleteDave Daugherty, Phil Currie, Rob Althaus, Joe Junod, Bruce Klink - they're all gone. Can you really suppose that two of those were VOLUNTARY lay-offs? Who's even left at corporate? Oh yeah, Craig and Gracia.
ReplyDelete