Because the News Department's teleconference of editors today will probably end right about then (it's scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET). Newly named News Department Vice President Kate Marymont (left) is leading the meeting, according to the memo: "She will discuss priorities for the coming year, her role in ContentOne and answer employees' questions."Earlier: Corporate takes ContentOne for first big test drive
I'd be interested in knowing whether Tara Connell's name comes up on this conference call.
ReplyDeleteJim, do mean other than in muttered curses?
ReplyDeleteWould love to listen in, but I'm already booked up with fun things to do today.
ReplyDeleteBless all the editors' hearts ... everything they ever knew or expected has been trashed.
News 2000.
ReplyDeleteThe First Five Graphs
Real People, Real News
They all did so much for boosting newspaper circulation.
Now, Content One...
Hmmmm
What's the word?
ReplyDeleteWhy would it?
ReplyDeleteActually, it sounded perfectly sensible and logical -- we have the technology now, so let's use it to try to share all the various resources Gannett has in a new way.
ReplyDeleteIt's a work in progress, but nothing to fear. And yes, Tara was part of the presentation.
Thank you Tara for clearing that up.
ReplyDeleteThanks, 4:05 pm. Can you tell us a little more about Tara's role in ContentOne? Has she moved back into an editorial position full-time?
ReplyDeleteTried to listen in, but it asked for a password, which I didn't have. Anyone know what was said?
ReplyDeleteThe editors were all very chipper after the conference call today. Didn't act like there was any bad news or concerns. Got the impression it was a good conversation.
ReplyDeleteI attended this conference call today. Waste of time. If I'm not mistaken, I think Tara C. was the co-anchor of today's call -- which was more like a radio call-in program.
ReplyDeleteIt was a whole lot of nothing. The most common response to a question: "We're working on it." The most interesting part came when someone asked a question about more layoffs -- and the only response was basically "we hope there aren't more layoffs."
And kudos to the guy who e-mailed with his question and stated that the creation of the "Information Center" was basically a corporate excuse to gut newsrooms and seriously put a dent in quality and credibility (to which Kate disagreed).
After "News 2000," "The First Five Graphs" and all the other unsuccessful corporate-created dreams, I'm skeptical about this Content One. But after this conference call, I think it should be called Content None.
I guess the questions got too tough, because Tara abruptly ended the session (well before 2 p.m.), citing that Kate wasn't feeling well. After wasting my time listening to all the fluff, I wasn't feeling too well, either. Maybe Kate got sick when she realized she couldn't explain what the hell Content One hopes to accomplish.s
ReplyDeleteHey 4:05 p.m. -- about the "we have the technology now" part ... I thought it was interesting when Kate or Tara (I forget who said it) mentioned that every time Gannett takes one step to make technological progress, technology takes 10 steps forward. She didn't say why, but everyone in the room at my paper who was listening to this knew that it's b/c the people in charge are choosing not to invest in the proper technology (whether it's because of lack of knowledge or just penny-pinching, who knows).
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to invest in technology, per se. The tools are free or cheap. What you need are skills and access. The skills aren't harder to learn that laying out a newspaper for print. Easier, I think. And you can't withhold access to the tools, as we've done, out of unfounded "security" fears.
ReplyDeleteA little bit of empathy might go a long way right now. I don't know Tara or Kate---and I don't even work for Gannett anymore, but I can certainly imagine how it must feel to be in the middle like they seem to be.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine what it must feel like to long for a great product while realizing the barriers to making that happen.
I can imagine what it must feel like to know that things are broken above you and below you.
But what I can't imagine is anyone in a leadership position making excuses and cutting short communication with thousands of people who long for information and guidance.
I can't imagine not feeling well in a deadline-driven job like many of you have, and having anyone at Gannett give me break.
If the conference was cut short, I certainly hope someone has the courtesy to open it back up in some way, shape or form really soon. Leadership, I believe, needs to demonstrate the same kind of sense of urgency that's required at the local levels each and every day.