ContentOne must reside behind the Chinese wall that has historically separated the company's news-gathering and commercial functions. It must be housed within the News Department, firmly part of Vice President Kate Marymont's portfolio.Chief publicist Tara Connell mustn't be given control of ContentOne. And unless Corporate has completely lost its journalism bearings, it will never hand Connell dual P.R. and news executive responsibilities, a step it may have already taken, with only an unofficial announcement.
Connell (left) has been vice president for communications since 2003; she's a former USA Today managing editor. She now reports to Chief Financial Officer Gracia Martore, prime architect of a layoff strategy that's depleting our newsrooms' First Amendment resources. Editors can't do their jobs if they worry their candid conversations with Connell will be reported to Martore.What's more, Connell hasn't demonstrated sufficient interest in advancing the truth over the past year. She failed to answer questions on everything from overtime pay abuse, to doubtful spending at the Gannett Foundation to the future of the Tucson Citizen.
Six years ago, Connell entered public relations, and that profession's candor-free, truthiness-filled spin zone. Maybe she regrets her decision to cozy up to Corporate. But it was her choice.
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You guys need to show more support for Kate Marymont, or she's going down in flames. Please trust me: Bad as things are, you do not want that to happen.
ReplyDeleteThe Chinese wall between news and commercial has already gone. Look at the papers today, and count the stories keyed to advertisers purchasing ads. We notice it, but we are fooling no one, and readers see it too. They tell me about it: flattering reviews for truly horrible movies, trend stories about revolutionary new products, the wonders and comfort of truss ads. We have already crossed over.
ReplyDeleteKate is a goner. Tara is the new Chief Editor!
ReplyDeleteSCARY!
Although I think Dubow will have second thoughts on Tara if we all stand up against her!
SAY NO to Tara Connell!!!
Dubow,
ReplyDeleteNO Tara Connell!
Please do not make a bad decision here.
Everyone's putting the finger on Dubow about Connell, but shouldn't it be Martore, who controls Dubow and is Connell's boss???
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's time for us to begin cashing in some of the credibility and goodwill we've built up with Dubow & Martore. Let's tell them to pick Marymount over Connell. Yeah, that'll work!
ReplyDelete5:17 WTF
ReplyDeleteDuBlow
Please do not make a bad decision here.
Why should he start making good decisions NOW????
NB
You're wrong about Tara and Kate..
ReplyDeleteIn fact, 100% wrong...
Tara is much more of a pragmatist and leader than you are giving her credit for... Yes, she's loyal to Gannett and its leadership, but she's also a voice of reason in that group, as well. I am no longer with the company, but I know Tara as someone who is not afraid to speak her mind. And, when she does...it's generally in an eloquent and thoughtful manner. Throw leadership under the bus if you must, but don't throw Tara too...
Anonymous 3/04/2009 6:13 PM said:
ReplyDelete"I know Tara as someone who is not afraid to speak her mind."
Tara Connell:
"Sorry, but we are not going to comment on this.''
What a lie!
The fact which is missing from the arguments is that Kate is in the newspaper division. She isn't the top company news officer. She has nothing to do with Newsquest, USA Today, Digital nor Broadcast. She's merely the news person in the community divison.
ReplyDeleteAllright, speak-your-mind-Tara, come out and tell us just what the hell ContentOne is, how it's going to affect us, what your role is... etc.
ReplyDeleteGive us some confidence in you.
Kate? Kate who? We in the community newspaper newsrooms never hear from that person.
ReplyDeleteThe question I have is: Is Marymont trying to lead but being stifled by Craig/Gradia/Tara? Or is Marymont in over her head and uncertain what to do? Or is Marymont just waiting for the inevitable implosion, counting her money in the meantime?
I'd love to show support for Kate Marymont, as Jim urges. But first I want to see her show some support for us.
Some of us remember when and why and how Tara left USAT to become Gannett's PR chief. It's a story worth reporting out, Jim.
ReplyDelete9:44 p.m.: C'mon, why don't you tell us yourself?
ReplyDelete7:18 - You fail to realize that her job in PR does not let her speak her mind. She is speaking for the company in that role. Her role to the public and her role behind closed doors are two different things.
ReplyDeleteMy memory of why Tara left had everything to do with Karen J. I am not going to kick a dead horse, but I was no fan of Karen's. I understand Tara's frustration with her.
ReplyDeleteI have not known every USAT editor, but the few who I have worked for have been unimpressive, but in different ways. None possessed the complete package, and one or two seemed to have no qualities that would justify them being the editor of a national paper.
I feel Tara gets a bad rap on here and has far more backbone than a lot of editors currently in the newsroom. I think she also has a decent eye for talent. If you have skill and take some pride in what you do, you'd have no problem working for her. Lots of journalists end up in PR. I don't really hold that against her the way some do on here.
And, just so you don't think I am a Gannett cheerleader, I hate this damn company! I just think there is a lot more wrong with it than Tara Connell. Bashing her constantly is really taking your eye off the many other problems that exist right under our noses.
I hold no personal grudges against Tara Connell. We've only met once. My beefs would be the same with anyone who dealt with me as Connell has since I began blogging about Gannett.
ReplyDeleteShe may have been a terrific editor when she was at USA Today; I don't know. But handing her the reins of ContentOne smacks of the same cronyism that brought us Ripple6 -- the software company Corporate bought from Chief Digital Officer Chris Saridakis and partners in November.
From the field, it looks like more of Corporate's looking after each other -- creating jobs to make sure a favored few stay employed until the bitter end.
For example, has the top management job overseeing ContentOne even been posted?
"You guys need to show more support for Kate Marymont, or she's going down in flames.
ReplyDeleteI hold no personal grudges against Tara Connell. We've only met once. My beefs would be the same with anyone who dealt with me as Connell has since I began blogging about Gannett."
OMG! Are you F***ing kidding me?
Gannett is gonna dump Kate for Tara? Am I reading this right?
Kate Marymont rocks, but she's probably too forward thinking for GCI. She could make chicken salad out of chicken shit, which is exactly what this company needs right now!
Tara Connell, on the other hand, would make a great cage fighter or mud wrestler, but she's hardly in the same league as Kate. If Wall Street gets downwind of her, it's all over. Phew!
This is so depressing. I hope you're wrong about this!
You know what ContentOne reminds me of? Vaporware!
ReplyDeleteThe company is changing. Why can't a person be allowed to change focus too? Maybe she'd do a great job. Maybe she doesn't think she's cut out for PR anymore. Who knows.
ReplyDelete