Monday, December 01, 2008
Monday | Dec. 1 | Got news, or a question?
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.)
165 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)
Oy: Looks like it's going to be a long week!
ReplyDeleteIs 174 the record for comments ?
ReplyDeleteBelow are the lyrics to a Bob Seger song from 30 years ago - the famous final scene - the lyrics seem fitting - perhaps the photos gathered from 12:16 could be put to this music
ReplyDeleteThink in terms of bridges burned
Think of seasons that must end
See the rivers rise and fall
They will rise and fall again
Everything must have an end
Like an ocean to a shore
Like a river to a stream
Like a river to a stream
Its the famous final scene
And how you tried to make it work
Did you really think it could
How you tried to make it last
Did you really think it would
Like a guest who stayed too long
Now its finally time to leave
Yes, its finally time to leave
Take it calmly and serene
Its the famous final scene
Its been coming on so long
You were just the last to know
Its been a long time since youve smiled
Seems like oh so long ago
Now the stage has all been set
And the nights are growing cold
Soon the winter will be here
And theres no one warm to hold
Now the lines have all been read
And you knew them all by heart
Now you move toward the door
Here it comes the hardest part
Try the handle of the road
Feeling different feeling strange
This can never be arranged
As the light fades from the screen
From the famous final scene
this is all a bit depressing, so I post here the future of Gannett, according to CEO Craig Dubow:
ReplyDeleteRight now at Gannett, we are nearing the moment when we can follow a consumer through their day and put ads in front of them based on who and where they are – newspaper or TV in the morning in print or online, Captivate on the way to the office, non-daily or Metromix to plan the weekend. At any time, day or night, they can link up with their peers through our social networking capabilities on our Web sites and the Moms sites. And our hundreds of mobile sites can provide them with local news, in their pockets, on demand.
In the future, we believe we will be able to begin this process even earlier in the cycle – anticipating consumer and advertiser needs and creating the products they must have even before they even know they want it.
This is the future of our industry, and it is happening right now at Gannett.
Which is why, given all that we have accomplished and all we are doing, we believe our current stock price undervalues our company and our prospects. We understand the difficult economic waters we must navigate over the next several months and we are addressing head on the secular challenges we all are facing.
Nevertheless, we are positive about our direction and our ability to grow once the current economic downturn subsides and we achieve our transformation goals.
The link below has an editorial from a small Gannett daily in Michigan - it states that there are persistant rumours the the Detroit News and Free Press are looking at cutting back on the number of days they publish - If true, I believe this would be the first major metro to cut days. This may be why the Freep has not announced layoffs because it could be syncing with this change which you would think if they do it - they would do it in January.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20081120/OPINION01/811200304/1014/rss03
I find it ironic that the Newark Advocate in Ohio published an article today about companies in that county who have laid off employees and gave a tally. This is the first time they have published any info that shows the layoffs from this Gannett paper. Funny it comes the day before mass layoffs which will jump the Advocate layoff number tremendously!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20081130/NEWS01/811300301/1002
12:44, Craig most be smoking the good shit. They have no real plan, They are already talking about another round of layoffs in February if not sooner.
ReplyDelete12:21 am: The record number of comments at the moment is 187, on this post: http://tinyurl.com/6fywh7
ReplyDeleteI predict a new record will be set today
ReplyDeleteInteresting article from HR professional offering advice on lay-offs. The part about lay-offs to impress investors is particularly interesting. Some excerpts:
ReplyDeleteDownsizing or doing layoffs is a toxic solution. Used sparingly and with planning downsizing can be an organizational lifesaver, but when layoffs are used repeatedly without a thoughtful strategy, downsizing can destroy an organization's effectiveness.
And
Downsizing should never be used as a communication to financial centers or investors of the new management's tough-minded, no-nonsense style of management -- the cost of downsizing far outweighs any benefits thus gained.
"Downsizing with Dignity" article -
http://humanresources.about.com/od/layoffsdownsizing/a/downsizing.htm
sorry - here's the link ---
ReplyDeletehttp://humanresources.about.com/od/layoffsdownsizing/a/downsizing.htm
Funny. Craig's message doesn't mention "news" or "journalism." Wonder why that is?
ReplyDeleteThe death spiral will accelerate quickly in 09 - seeing that the 48 inch web wasn't enough and this years 44 inch web - the next move will certainly be number of days published - once this happens the revenue declines will be horrific and our daily relevance will go to a point of no return. Could you imagine a radio station not having any content one day a week or espn not having anything one day a week? Our strongest readers, you know "the mature experienced readers" will be the ones most pissed by this change - mark this post - it will be the "new plan" complete with sparkles and happy speak in 09.
ReplyDeleteWait just a second. USA Today has published only 5 days a week for, oh, the past 25 years or so.
ReplyDeletenot the same thing
ReplyDelete"Our daily relevance will go to a point of no return..."
ReplyDeleteUSA Today has had solid "daily relevance" for many years without publishing 7 days a week. The weekend edition is Fri/Sat/Sun. Readers still love it.
plus, "daily relevance" can be achieved online 7 days a week even if the presses don't roll all 7 .. right ?
ReplyDelete1:10 and 1:13 - key differences between USA Today and the regular Local daily
ReplyDelete-one is Local the other is national
-most locals are 7 day publications while usat has always been 5.
-usat plan has worked because it caters to business travelers and vacationers with broad news.
-local papers have delivered double digit profits by providing more in depth local content EVERY DAY.
USAT caters to National advertisers while local dailies cater more towards local businesses and are constantly in a ferocious fight with local cable, network TV along with radio.
Do I need to go on? - can some people chime in, I am getting tired. The ramifications will play out soon enough, I will take no pride in being right.
Well I guess ass photocopies are hard to beat as far as record traffic is concerned.
ReplyDeleteI have a bad feeling about the next 48 hours...six months...20 years...
ReplyDeleteIt will be fine.
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be fine. I will be laid off this week, and I am at peace with it. I expect a great feeling of relief to come upon me the day after -- and even if I have to live in a cardboard box, I have my family and I know what's truly important. And it ain't Gannett. Or its stock. There are better things waiting for me. And waiting for many of you. Yes, friends, it will be fine.
ReplyDeleteTo 12:44 am.....isn't it sad (not funny as stated somewhere above) that Gannett at least, has relegated itself to being an ad wrapper? More worried about what ads they can shove down throats as opposed to current events and local and national issues. It doesn't matter what ads they put where if people don't buy the vehicle carrying them.
ReplyDeleteAnd what will companies like Gannett do when people can't afford to be "connected" anymore? Those subscription prices aren't going down either.
4:35 - I predict the end of ABC circ stats and the rise of free "controlled" (ha!) distribution products.
ReplyDeleteLook how well the mailed coupon books/Valpak products are doing in your market.
#1 sales point is that they reach every household. Not every cable household, not every subscriber household - but every household that has an address.
If we go total distribution with an adwrapper, even with a bunch of week old news, that will satisfy the 'newspaper needs' of a lot of our market.
On the other side, we open up a subscription service for those high income/valuable audience members. You want to reach $75k earning, Lexus driving smart people? See our website.
We become less of a mass media, more of a tailored media. And yes, this means those who can afford to be better informed, will be.
You could almost model a health care delivery system on a news and content delivery system.
If you are one of the employees laid off this week what is to say that you won't be laid off someplace else. The economic climate sucks and wall street drives every public company. If you want to blaim someone/something, blame the poor oversight received from our government. They are supposed to be the police with regulation but they failed us on housing and lending, encouraging crappy loans to people that couldn't afford them.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious whether I could be brought back 'to life' after being laid off.
ReplyDeleteIt's very possible that before my severance is up, there may again be a need for my services because of a maternity leave issue with another employee.
Am I prevented from coming back, much like retired employees are prevented from coming back?
The answer will greatly impact how helpful I am after I am walked out the door. If corporate rules say there is no way for the local folks to bring me back, f-off when you call me for help.
6:37 - knocking up your staff to keep your job, eh? Good for you!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteplus, "daily relevance" can be achieved online 7 days a week even if the presses don't roll all 7 .. right ?
Does anyone know which newspapers are pursuing this strategy?
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if anyone has information about the Asbury Park Press. Are they going to outsource the actual printing of the paper done in Freehold? What company will do the printing if they do? What about Circulation? Is that going to be handled by an outside vendor also? Next, I would like to know if the advertising design services departments of the APP and Home News Tribune will merge or will one fold completely? This is going to be a stressful week for everyone. Any and all information provided by this blog will help us all keep things in perspective. The rumors are many and the facts so few. Thank you.
My stuff is all boxed up. I'm ready. The little that is left will be carried out today.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know what happens to laid off people in the event of staff vacancies after the lay off, too.
God Bless you all. I was laid off in early December , so I know that the timing of these lay-offs stinks. Keep your heads high--things will get better fast.Believe in yourselves.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder if the only thin worse than getting laid off is not getting laid off. You think these aren't fun places to work now? Just wait until you're asked to do the work of even more people.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are whacked, How do we bring up the compensation for UNPAID OVERTIME?
ReplyDeleteAny advice?
And in a cruelly ironic twist, APP is running story today that assigned one of their over-50 reporters to write story about what you're facing if you're laid off. Check their website, it's for real. The callousness of this is freaking stunning.
ReplyDeleteWhen asked to do the work of more people just don't do it until you get a bump in pay. Make this work for you. Remember this is a business we're in, not a charity.
ReplyDeletethis post from last night sheds some light on whether or not you could be rehired after a layoff/buyout
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
11:38 - that is entirely possible but not usually common. As these cuts continue to get deeper it may become more likely. One scenario I see playing out is as they keep the youngsters and cut the experience (and superior work ethic) the youngsters are going to be much less receptive to added work loads and will boogey quickly. This will leave holes that as time goes on will need to be filled. By cutting into bone and being so damn lean the company will be reluctantly forced to look at people they kicked to the curb as they realize the failure of this strategy. My firm hope is most or all of us can firmly raise our middle finger when they call because we have found something better.
11/30/2008 11:48 PM
As for questions about returning to replace someone on maternity leave or whatever: I was laid off in August. The letter I received stipulated that if I returned to Gannett, I would have to give up my severance payments if I was still receiving them. So, return if you want, but I highly doubt they will allow you to receive severance as well as a salary. You would have to pick one or the other, and boy, I would be really clear on what was going on in this situation if it was me and I was tempted to give up the severance. Understand that once you are laid off you are entering into a somewhat complicated situation and one in which you should be thinking first and foremost about your own interest, not the paper's. Folks, also you should be thinking about what you will do with your 401K and/or pension, if you have one--where will you invest it, will you want to have someone manage it for you, etc.
ReplyDeleteI work at the Detroit Media Partnership and am wondering if anyone has heard about layoffs here.
ReplyDeleteEverything is so secretive
8:44, it's an interesting scenario for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm just not sure they will realize the failure of the strategy in time to rescue the company. Given the nose dive the company has taken -- and you can blame the market all you want, but the real nose dive was going from $75 a share (or whatever that number was) in June 2005 to $20 a share in August. The market didn't really tank until October, but the majority of the collapse came much, much earlier and someone -- the board of directors, the fund managers that invested in Gannett -- should have been screaming for a shakeup at the top to fix things.
If they decide to print five days a week, I hope they choose to print Tuesday through Friday and Sunday schedule.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Sunday paper.
But think about it, they'll be selling a five-day "daily' for the price (newly raised in some places) of a seven-day subscription.
It is stuff like this that makes us the masters of our own demise.
Just checking the blog before I go in for my shift at a NJ paper. I guess no layoffs have started as of this time. I'm wearing black non the less, all week. Stay strong!
ReplyDeletePeace
Check out Craig's List this week for some unwanted items:
ReplyDelete6 Gannett ink pens
3 Gannett brief cases
2 Gannett garment bags
2 Gannett duffle bags
2 Gannett luggage tags
1 Gannett memo pad holder
2 Gannett windshirts
1 Gannett hat
and one Gannett President's Ring!
Gannett Corporate sold its soul to Wall Street and now, regardless of what Dubow says, it has spurned him BIG TIME.
ReplyDeleteFrom Rick Edmonds Biz Blog this morning:
Wall Street Walks Away From Newspapers
"The old wisdom was that Wall Street demanded newspaper companies keep profit margins at unreasonable double-digit heights. These days it might be fairer to say the investment community just doesn't care. All but one newspaper company begins trading this week below $10 a share.
A check at Friday's 1 p.m. close indicated that three companies are in the $1 to $2 range: McClatchy at $1.95 per share, Media General at $1.93 and Lee at $1.04. A.H. Belo, Journal Communications and E.W Scripps were marginally better at $2.02, $2.37 and $2.93, respectively.
The three strongest stocks in this very weak field are New York Times Co. at $7.54, Gannett at $8.71 and Washington Post at $395.90. "
USA TODAY has not made a case for laying off anyone. Vague comments about the economy don't hold water, particularly when the paper is so profitable.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to keep happening every year, the purging of older, print-oriented staffers, unless the newsroom rises up and protests these pending cuts. And just because you are younger and working for the web site, don't think these firings don't impact you. They do in numerous ways.
I hope someone will let us know how many volunteers USAT gets today. That will give us a better idea of how bad the newsroom atmosphere is going to be by the end of the week when people are forced out. These layoffs have already taken such a profound toll, as you can feel the worry and disappointment in the air. The company failed us. The editor and publisher failed us. And the brand will surely be hurt by this act of betrayal and trivializing of these layoffs by a number of heartless people who think of themselves as leaders. They aren't leaders. They are gutless, greedy and selfish, and things will never be the same in the newsroom again. We came to USAT because it was different. It didn't lay people off. It didn't pay as much as certain other large papers, but we always had security until now.
ReplyDelete8:54 - look at post from 12:48 am. - count on significant layoff in Detroit - but not this week - maybe not until Jan. but could be sooner
ReplyDeletewhats up dutch boy, AFL
ReplyDeleteSure glad I don't work at McClatchy. Man, that would suck. The Newspaper biz is flailing, but what's really going on is a re-valuation of media stocks across the board. Once the economy stabilizes, I think we'll see a Gannett that can come out ahead.
ReplyDeleteBecause, really, Gannett is one of the biggest ships on the ocean. It may go down hard when it does, but it will be the last to sink. Expect to see Scripps, McClatchy, and Gatehouse all go under before Gannett does.
Condolences to those getting laid off; it's a hard time, and I hope you find other ways to do what you love.
That said, someone made the comment earlier about newspapers becoming nothing more than "ad wrappers". Based on my local Sunday paper, I'm not sure that hasn't already happened. What's so bad about taking an ad-based approach?
The real problem here is that many editors and journalists desperately want the public to want their content and pay through the nose for it without having to resort to ads. This kind of fantasy is killing the business, and until we get it out of our heads that it is even remotely possible, people will continue to be disappointed.
Looks like Romenesko picked up on Jim's posting about Green Bay's profits (as well as other Gannett papers) and the fact that the company sees fit to lay off employees regardless of how much money Green Bay and other properties are making.
ReplyDeleteGannett employees, particularly in the newsroom, should really dig into this further. These layoffs are not legitimate. Gannett is firing people on a massive scale for reasons other than the bad economy. Even the flagship, USA TODAY, is poised to layoff another 20 (after 43 buyouts a year ago). Yet, it seems like the newsroom is taking it laying down.
If people think that laying low will protect them from this round, just keep in mind that being quiet now means even less protection in the future. They will come for you eventually, and eventually might be sooner than you think. By protecting your brothers and sisters now, you are protecting yourselves in the future.
I hope journalists with the instincts and resources to root out the real reasons behind these layoffs will do so soon. Jim has started the ball rolling, now it's up to others on the inside. I also want to encourage everyone to flood this blog this with with expressions of disapproval and take other measures to assure that those at the top know that most of us aren't willing to march to the glue factory while the newspapers we work for rake in the big profits. We suspect this company of falling into the traps that other companies have. We uncover corruption and greed elsewhere, now we need to uncover it right under our own roof. We suspect and will unveil whatever has gone awry in the back rooms of Gannett in the coming days, weeks and months. Freedom of the press should not be crushed by anyone, let alone a media company. "Ethics" agreements (that we are forced to sign) do not supercede journalistic values. It's time to get the truth out.
The collapse in profit margin at the Cincinnati Enquirer was astounding. Not many years ago the margin was around 40 percent.
ReplyDelete5:41 AM....you're funny. Valuepaks work because they are cheaper than what newspapers charge for ads. That said, I don't look at mine I get anymore for they have the same
ReplyDelete98.5% useless ads in them.
as a former Enquirer type, it really is. We always assumed the G-dogs had a license to print money, but they pinched every penny anyway. Surely the closing of the Cincinnati Post must have beefed up the margin a little in 2008....a little?
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to everyone still on Elm.
I remember, when I was with Gannett, seeing reports showing the profitabilty of each newspaper. USAT was always the last on the list. Of course, it brought in the most revenue but it's % profit was dead last. Has anyone seen this report lately?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know about a Gannett division called Franchise Xpress? A few weeks ago there was a sales rep from Franchise Xpress here in Westchester trying to get our ad reps to funnel insert ads to them so they could print them for us and place them in the paper. Why do we have a Gannet division selling against our ad reps when ad revenue is down at the paper?
ReplyDeleteIt's not Gannett, but the family-owned The Oregonian newspaper today collapsed its Monday paper into 3 sections, with only Life and Sports standing alone. An editor's note said it would be a permanent change to save on paper costs.
ReplyDeleteValuPak was worth sorting through when Northwest Airlines used them to distribute discount coupons. They haven't done that in a while. I keep checking. And then I cram the useless ones in the postage free envelopes I get from people wanting me to apply for a new credit card and mail them to them.
ReplyDeleteRecycling.
10:36 That's a great idea. I keep getting applications for AARP. I sent them one back stating I am 30 years old. They sent me another application. I think I'll send them some advertisements or, better yet, some business cards with our newspaper website on it. Then we will actually be advertising that we have a website in something other than our newspaper! I'm going to do your suggestion today.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone provide any information about Clipper Magazine which Gannett purchased a few years ago. How is their business? Their gross margin? Are they being subjected to layoffs like just about everyone else???
ReplyDelete8:29 -- Don't do the extra work. Do the best that you possibly can within a 40 hour week and tell them that the rest is not reasonable. Even if this were to eventually result in your being fired, they would probably take time to do that, meaning you would get as much money as if you were laid off. Also, you would have a strong argument to claim unemployment no matter what happens. Never forget that Gannett is notoriously afraid of lawsuits. It's not reasonable to fire an employee because he/she won't work free, meaning you would have a good case with unemployment. Things won't get better with this company until people refuse to be strong-armed into working unpaid OT.
ReplyDelete8:31 -- Bring it up in the layoff meeting, not afterward. Tell them you have documentation of the unpaid hours and you would like them to take care of it immediately.
10:03 wouldn't bet on Scripps going down, because it has no debt, and it has newspapers that make Green Bay's profit margin look really puny. The secret to riding out this economic turmoil is to be debt free, and Dubow's decision to grow GCI's debt to $7 billion will really squeeze.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jim, can we maybe get a posted survey of readers who intend to wear something black tomorrow? It'd help to know how much solidarity there will be for Black Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteOr, if not, perhaps we can just start a thread and readers can post the location at which they'll wear black.
Mine: Wilmington.
It's not much, I know, but such a quiet action might serve management with a pang of guilt. And even a pang, at this point, would be more than we've gotten in those bullshit notices from Dubow.
The list mentioned @ 10:29 was also how to tell which paper was going to be "donated" to the foundation. Unless, of course, it was USAT. The bottom paper almost always got "donated".
ReplyDeleteThe list mentioned @ 10:29 was also how to tell which paper was going to be "donated" to the foundation. Unless, of course, it was USAT. The bottom paper almost always got "donated".
ReplyDeleteAction Printing in Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteWhat's its relationship to Gannett?
Is it a division of the company?
Action Printing is a business unit of Gannett.
ReplyDeleteIn the days of the Roman legions, commanders would decimate troops before battle by killing one in ten. It put the fear of God in those who survived of what would happen if they didn't fight and win. So that is the message GCI wants to send out?
ReplyDeleteDo it already! make the cuts and get it over with! I can't stand the lingering and secrecy...
ReplyDeleteFranchise X-Press is part of Gannett. They work with newspaper reps to help them sell single sheet inserts to franchisees. These single sheets run in the newspaper and TMCs.
ReplyDeleteContributing to the decline in Cincinnati were several poorly performing niche publishing ventures. Oddly, just as print was looking shaky the Enquirer was spending big bucks to invest in sideshows. Newsroom staff almost certainly is suffering for those questionable investments, many of which involved purchase of existing publications. And now that the Post is gone, Cincinnati readers will just have to take what they can get. Look for additional section consolidations and discontinuing of some features on certain days of the week. Business would be a likely candidate given the way the newspaper has whipsawed that section in recent years.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, some people were asking about benefits for those who are laid off. Here's what I have learned:
ReplyDeleteThe severance will be paid as if the person is still on the payroll. If the person gets 10 weeks severance then they will get paid for the next 10 weeks, just like they normally do. It's not paid out in a lump sum.
Health benefits continue during the severance period.
401(k) contributions by both employee and employer stop at the last day worked - before the severance kicks in.
Other payroll deductions like Parking will stop at the last day worked - before the severance kicks in.
to 11:39
ReplyDeletethis is the gannett way no info on their part. and they wanted you to make a quick decision if you wanted the buyout, but they keep people twistng for how long now?
Just two new job posts today for Gannett's publishing division. But if you're into fitness, check out the two jobs posted over the weekend. They offer on-site fitness centers.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Michael Maness' friends on Facebook. One of them is Craig Dubow. How's that for innovation?
ReplyDeleteSo if Franchise Xpress sells inserts in the Westchester paper who gets the revenue- the paper or Franchise Xpress? Are they a profitable business model and are they subject to the lay off plans as well? Reason I am asking when the sales rep was her he didn't explain the program to our ad reps very well, so they didn't know why he was here and with the lay-off loaming are worried that they are competeing for ad revenue.
ReplyDelete12:02 PM
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm not understanding how you're connecting Facebook friends with innovation. Can you explain, please. Maybe we just have different definitions.
10:36 AM - Thank you! I needed something to make me laugh today!
ReplyDeleteThe banks were losing billions of dollars and they got a government bail out. Gannett is making millions of dollars and laying people off.
ReplyDeleteThe world has gone mad.
Historical perspective on newspaper profit margins in this 2001 story in which the margins were usually between 22 and 29 percent:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june01/profits_3-22.html
Is anyone hearing anything, even secondhand through EEs, from the supposed corporate leader of community newspaper "local information centers," Kate Marymont?
ReplyDeleteAnything explanatory, encouraging and-or enlightening would be greatly appreciated by worried LIC staffers who somehow are going to have to continue to turn out newspapers after the layoffs.
Or, if Kate is communicating with the EEs, her words of wisdom aren't being passed along to the troops. At least not at my newspaper. Anyone? Anyone?
Are the layoffs happening Tuesday or Wednesday?
ReplyDelete11:31 AM decimation was used as a punishment for poor performance after the battle. What kind of an idiot would kill 10 percent of his troops right before a battle? After a battle was lost or won but not in the way that was expected, the general would be pissed and only sometimes order a decimation. I know this really doesnt matter much for a newspaper blog but since he mentioned it we may as well be right about it. Read here about it if you like.
ReplyDelete12:20
ReplyDeleteFranchise Xpress is a very small division (like five people) and rolls up under Corporate Advertising in the USCP, which is subject to layoffs
This isnt about competing for ad revenue - revenue is booked by Franchise Express but counts for the Newspaper. The idea is to sell to large franchise chains (think Subway or Molly Maid) at the national level, then have local reps close a preapprived program with local franchise owners.
It's a very successful (read profitable) if not very significant (read not a lot of $$$) division
Exactly right, 1:29, What kind of an idiot would kill 10 percent of his troops right before a battle?
ReplyDelete1:43
ReplyDeleteThis isnt about competing for ad revenue - revenue is booked by Franchise Express but counts for the Newspaper.
Then how come the reps are saying they don't see this revenue applied to this commission numbers?
Well duh, we'd be double booking commission.
ReplyDeleteThat's money that should have been coming out of those advertisers already, but the local rep always pooh-poohed trying to visit with the owners because 'that's a franchise'
2:04 PM: What kind of an idiot would kill 10 percent of his troops right before a battle?
ReplyDeleteOne that worked at Gannett Corporate?
So when the sales rep from Franchise Xpress was here he lied about the sales rep getting paid on the sales. He indicated that all the rep had to do was pass it along to Franchise Xpress and they would get credit for the sales. If thye don't get paid on making the sale why should they continue selling to franchises?
ReplyDelete12:33 PM
ReplyDeleteI wasn't being serious. Just found it amusing that Mr. Maness has found yet another way to cozy up to the guy at the top. There doesn't seem to be any limit to how far he is willing to stick his nose.
Hell, he probably created the page for him--yet another way for both of them to look like they're on top of the latest trends.
@2:04 "What kind of an idiot would kill 10 percent of his troops right before a battle?"
ReplyDeleteCraig DuBow?
The decision on Franchise Express revenue comes from a local level. It's up to your AD/Controller/Pub to decide if your're going to double pay.
ReplyDeleteBlack Tuesday: I'll be wearing black in Wilmington.
ReplyDeleteWho else?
Watch out, now CNBC says banks are pulling personal lines of credit on people, meaning that in the event of a layoff, your credit card will be useless. It's getting even worse in this economy, and corporate is going to come back for more later, I bet.
ReplyDeleteCorporate will be back...economist Paul says he now sees the economic downturn going into 2011, meaning GCI has no other way to increase revenues but adopt more layoffs.
ReplyDeletecheck out the recently filed SEC Q-10 by Gannett. It clearly indicates that they intend to make further reductions in 2009.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Shreveport Times.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20081130/OPINION03/811290323/1007/OPINION
Alan English: Facing tough economic times, The Times makes tough calls
Walter Abbott
Shreveport Times today announces it will reduce its workforce and costs 6% between now and the first of the year.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20081130/OPINION03/811290323/1007/OPINION
3:32- I'll be wearing Black in Brevard tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteShreveport editor:
ReplyDeleteNo Sunday TV book and ...
only three sections.
what is going on today -- is this what they mean by "calm before the storm?"
ReplyDeleteWhite Plains has the most bogus upper management---Please Tell me that they were released----This was once a GREAT PAPER--Now it is subjected to delivering the Hoya/La Prensa Papers at a margin of 21.00 profit a day !!!!!!!Corporate PLEASE release the cause of the problem---ALL the Directors and Tony from the APP--Shout out to my NJ brothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete5:00: Thanks for the heads up. Can you say how/where the SEC Q-10 can be accessed.
ReplyDeleteThanks
For the not-very bring among us -- like, say, me -- could somebody quote or post a link to that infamous SEC Q-10 report? Thanks....
ReplyDeleteNewspaper ad revenue fell almost $2 billion in the third quarter for a record 18.1% decline, according to new statistics from the Newspaper Association of America. Read the full story at http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=132921 -- Nat Ives
ReplyDeleteRegarding Shreveport, if they're cutting staff and expenses by 6% each, instead of the 10% each that everyone has been expecting, did they catch some kind of break from corporate? There's a big difference between 10% and 6%. Last week Indianapolis seemed to catch a break also. Are these papers favorites of some corporate guardian angel, or are they particularly profitable, or has this blog given corporate cold feet to move ahead with their mass career-death sentencing of longtime, loyal, and supremely talented and knowledgeable people?
ReplyDeleteAnyone know?
Soooooo....any scoop on layoffs today?
ReplyDeleteThere may have been 4% worth of open positions that simply will remain unfilled.
ReplyDeleteThat could explain the difference.
Who ever that was yesterday that posted that lay offs would start today was/is a BIG FAT LIAR!!!! Shame on you for spreading BS and un-nerving people further!
ReplyDeleteI'll be wearing black - APP - until the torture stops!
6:17 -
ReplyDeleteamen, brother/sister!
how about if everyone has gannettblog loaded on their computer at work, with a "i'm gone" kinda message with their job and location included, already has the word verification typed in and oh, shoot, let me just show you
Betty Joe Smith
ReplyDeleteAge 104
Sports Desk
Reporter
Ithaca
I'm gone!
At our site (Lafayette, LA) the layoffs were pushed back until the 10th. Are we the only ones?
ReplyDeleteThe cull begins Tuesday in Florida.
ReplyDeleteYou think a 5% - 8% Home delivery declines year over year is bad now, wait until you reduce the number of published days you will see double digit declines.
ReplyDelete6:51 PM - Look at the newsprint savings! Yes, I'm being sarcastic.
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing is just asinine. They're screwing with our lives here and yet they all walk around on big power/ego trips. I for one would be relieved to be let go (in place of anyone else who seriously wants to stay) just to get the hell outta Dodge.
ReplyDeletePlease. I'm begging you. Let it be me! I can't do this anymore. But I fear I'll be among the safe minority, left to pick up the pieces... sigh.
I'm told Montgomery starts tomorrow as well.
ReplyDelete-- To 6:17 PM --
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to believe that something you read on this blog, posted by everyone's authoritative source "Anonymous" turned out not to be true!
6:58 PM wrote: "I fear I'll be among the safe minority, left to pick up the pieces..."
ReplyDeleteThat's what I've been wondering lately, too - is it better to be laid off now or be forced to live through the madness that will certainly follow?
I guess I'll know soon enough.
Come on, Gannett! I wanna get laid (off) already!
ReplyDelete6:58 - that's why I volunteered! But it hasn't helped any with the stress cause don't know if I've been accepted and they don't seem to want to spill the beans on anything. No word as to when my sites starting up the axing - all quiet on the eastern front. Like you - I don't know if I can do this anymore either.
ReplyDeleteFor those who are looking for the recent Gannett Form 10-Q SEC filing, here is the address to get right to the document itself on the SEC sight. Once there, scroll through and look for page 8 and the sub header "Certain matters affecting future operating results."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39899/000136231008006768/c76713e10vq.htm
7:06 and 7:08 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you both. Can you imagine surviving this round, spending the holidays "picking up the pieces,'' dealing with the calls from readers, and doing all that extra work, knowing ALREADY that another round is being predicted for as early as February? And as was pointed out earlier, next time could be two weeks severance, or none at all. I am afraid to be shown the door, but I'm also dreading staying. Well, hopefully I'll know tomorrow, anyway.
Peace, brothers and sisters. I hope for you all a soft landing and a better tomorrow.
One let go today in Brevard.
ReplyDeleteThe waiting is getting awful, that's for sure. I just wish they would get on with it. The way Gannett is going about this thing isn't the best. I know of someone who is definitely not on their list (due to skill set) but the way this whole thing has been handled has freaked him out enough to find another job. Now he's just waiting to formally tell them. I know of others who feel the same way. Gannett might use these layoffs as an excuse to rid themselves of people over 40, but I predict that they will end up eventually losing a lot of the young ones they choose to keep to other occupations. They have really succeeded in freaking out everyone. Perhaps they think that will scare more people away quicker so they don't have to fire as many in upcoming rounds.
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely baffled by the flailing way in which Gannett has conducted itself since launching its "innovation" platform. It seems as though innovation was just a poor excuse to encourage directors to keep up with the times. The more I read and see, the more I am convinced that Gannett is failing at moving forward in a proactive, productive manner. It seems as though there is no clear, shared clear-cut vision of what exactly they are attempting to do. It just seems like they are trying to use a bucket to bail out the Titanic. Terms such as innovation shouldn't be thrown around as goals, either. They should be assumed mandates. I just don't get it.
If things are really that bad, why don't they just admit it, throw in the towel and file bankruptcy. I'm sure a bankruptcy judge would love to hear the excuse "we're not meeting our 30 percent profit margin."
indy's back in black -- at least a few of us -- today, tomorrow and . . . who knows.
ReplyDeletePAINT IT BLACK!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteEveryone keeps repeating about the "20" at USAT. Paulson said cuts were being made across the division. That means Circulation, Advertising, Marketing, IT, Production and Finance. I heard a rumor that Production would be almost wiped out. If you look at USAT's total headcount..the 20 in Editorial would only be 1.5% of total staff reduction. If Gannett is posing 10% across the board. Where are the other cuts coming. Have more solidarity for the others.
ReplyDeleteI just removed a comment that comprised a cruel, personal attack on an individual who was identified by name. Please don't do that again.
ReplyDeleteWearing black seems pretty juvenile. Kind of like wearing the same color clothes as your girlfriend/boyfriend back in high school. Ostentatious for no real reason. Far better to just depart with dignity.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI just removed ANOTHER comment that comprised a cruel, personal attack on an individual who was identified by name. Please, please don't do that again; you create extra work for me, and I've got enough to do already.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteJust got a call from my manager. I am being laid off tomorrow and will be compensated for my time here, quite generously, but tomorrow we are letting go about 22 individuals.
ReplyDeleteI feel relieved and sad.
Layoffs are happening throughout the business sector. Gannett has been (and continues to be) hard hit. Check out www.theprogressivepolitico.com for a timely article on layoff and share your views for thousands to see.
ReplyDeleteEnough with the jokes about the DIG folks, please; I don't want to have to start moderating comments in advance again, but . . .
ReplyDeleteTuesday and Wednesday are the days in Nashville, I am told
ReplyDelete8:24, where are you?
ReplyDelete8:24's probably the same person who got the call last night, from somewhere on the East Coast...
ReplyDeleteWFSU's report on Tallahassee:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wfsu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1428273
As a manager, I do not want to go to work tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm losing staff, probably the ones I need to get the paper out. My boss just sits there and tells me the corporate line, like that really cheers me up.
By the way, I had no input in the selection and have no idea who I'm losing tomorrow.
And what if we ARE sick tomorrow and can't make it in to get laid off?
ReplyDeleteWow, layoff by phone call. Whatever happened to the dignity of face time for conveying bad news? I feel for anyone who gets told this way.
ReplyDeleteAny word about how many people on the broadcasting side took the buyouts today? I know of one person that didn't take Gannett up on the offer. Any ideas on the number of layoffs in broadcasting if not enough folks accepted the offer?
ReplyDeletenobody is getting a phone call unless they are working very remotely or their boss is going outside the program. don't believe this nonsense.
ReplyDeleteAny word from Phoenix? Anything happen today?
ReplyDeleteHere's the quote referred to by 7:32 about the SEC filing and the likelihood of further reductions in '09. Think of this as coming right out of Craig Dubow's mouth:
ReplyDelete"For 2009, the Company’s expenses for its qualified retirement plans may increase substantially as the market value of plan assets has declined as a direct consequence of the recent financial market disruption. The impact of changes in plan asset values will not be precisely known, however, until the end of 2008.
"The Company has further plans to significantly reduce Company wide expense levels in the face of these economic factors and the competitive pressures facing its businesses."
Digest that last sentence -- "has further plans to significantly reduce company wide expense levels ..."
What does that mean? Another 10%. 20%? Can you imagine what will be left after that much more slashing?
After all these years of profits, Gannett should be sitting on a huge cash reserve, able to weather this downturn. Instead, they're in debt up to their eyeballs, selling out their employees, their dear treasured readers and the 1st Amendment, while groveling on their knees before none other than those wonderful barons of Wall Street (whom we are bailing out, I might add).
10:01 - you nailed it! unfortunately
ReplyDeleteAnyone have the contact information (address or phone number) to try to talk to someone about the pension in case you are laid off?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks in advance.
The phone call layoffs are highly unlikely. These things will be orchestrated to go down as much "at once'' as possible, and as Jim said, it takes a village. I just pray it's tomorrow. Enough already.
ReplyDelete10:24PM
ReplyDeleteThe pension info is:
Gannett Co., Inc.
Attn: Benefits Dept./Gannett Retirement Plan
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22107
(703) 854-2006
Don't expect superior service, but they will give you the information you need or the place to get it. The inference will always be that you HR department should have made all this clear. Explaining that it's impossible to scribble notes while your ass is being kicked out the door doesn't impress the Corp. bunch.
Good luck!
Sorry folks, there were phone layoffs conducted last round too. They are very real in some places.
ReplyDeletewhere?
ReplyDeleteCan anyone give advice for exporting saved e-mail in Lotus Notes? I want to keep as much as possible just in case the hammer falls.
ReplyDeleteSoooooooo ... how many people do you think will call in sick Tuesday and leave their phone/cell phone off? And then Wednesday.... and Thursday....
ReplyDeleteRemember... they can't lay you off until they find you!
Ha!
11:09: Indianapolis for one.
ReplyDeleteany word on westchester? i heard 100?
ReplyDelete100 in Westchester? Really? How many in the newsroom, which has far less than 100? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteBut, of course, 2:05 am, there are many other departments beyond the newsroom getting hit by layoffs -- advertising, production, circulation and many others.
ReplyDeleteOh, but King James, the rest of us peasants are just here to gaze lovingly up at the newsroom, content to let the holy ones' shadows touch our black- death-ravaged visages.
ReplyDeleteWe of the lowly production, finance, circulation and other departments are here but to serve the whims and follies of those in the ivory tower. We gladly suffer the barbs of our neighbors who complain about 'your g.d. liberal/conservative newspaper' as if we wrote the stories. For it is a blessing to be confused with those who care.
Thankfully, the chosen ones offal doesn't offend the nose. As it rolls downhill (as it is wont to do), we gladly scoop it up and turn that sandwich into something people may actually buy.
Please pity the poor advertising caste, they are the most reviled of the peasantry. For when the Newsroom has anything remotely interesting to cover, they BANISH advertising from their pages - "off to Sports with you!" so that the unclean touch of advertising comes nowhere near their special 'package'.
King James, be not too hard on those who believe the world revolves around them. It is not their fault they always look upward and outward from their perch - and ignore those who support the throne upon which they rest.
Signed,
another poor wretch with a j-school degree.
Wow, someone is feeling self-righteous today.
ReplyDeleteTime for the pity-party, everyone.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete5:46, why are you starting a pissing match this morning? I am an ex-Gannettoid and a newsroom person who understood (and I think most of us do) that ads are what pays our salaries.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think ad people suck. I did get frustrated with them sometimes but geez, that's the nature of the business.
I would make one point though: If they eliminated newsrooms altogether, what exactly would you have left to sell?
6:59 - AP wire, mostly what we use now anyway.
ReplyDeleteFailing that, there are still ads in the phone book, and no one reads that on a regular basis.
Remember, we're providing audience, not readers. Nobody gives a crap WHY they pick up the paper, just that they do. If putting nudie photos on page 3 got us audience to sell to advertisers, your lovely story about the Rotary chicken dinner would be given up for other breast coverage.
People aren't stupid. I think they're well aware they've been shifted from reader status to audience status.
ReplyDeleteI think this treating them as an audience might have short term benefits, but is destroying readership---print and online---over the ong haul.
I just removed a comment that was over the top in the Gross Department. Please don't post comments like that.
ReplyDelete