Reno Gazette-Journal Publisher Ted Power has now confirmed the Nevada newspaper laid off workers yesterday. His 11 a.m. ET memo to employees today doesn't disclose any numbers, however. Perhaps we'll learn more after the first of two employee meetings scheduled for Power to answer staff questions.As you all know, we had a hard day yesterday. The continued economic downturn left me with no alternative than to say good-bye to many talented and valued colleagues in all of our departments.
While we will stop doing some things and are talking with partners to outsource other things, all of us will have new responsibilities as we move forward. That will require each of us to reprioritize so that we ensure we are making the best use of our time, talent and energy.
Some items to consider as you think about priorities: local content; helping advertisers reach their desired audiences; capitalizing on our strong digital audience; finding ways to help co-workers.
Know that we will continue to be the leading provider of news and information in Northern Nevada on both print and digital platforms. Know that we will continue to keep watch on our elected and appointed officials and how they use our tax dollars. Know that we will continue to develop effective solutions for our advertisers. Know that we will continue to do all we can to help you be as effective as you can be.
We’ve had many successes recently. Our series on public employee salaries led to changes in city and county departments that will save tax dollars. Our new “good news” commitment has captured the attention of readers and advertisers. Our commitment to diversity and leadership was recognized as one of the five best efforts in our company.
We can continue that momentum if we stay focused on providing local content to readers, on providing innovative proposals to advertisers, on providing support for each other.
I will be in the big conference room today at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to field any questions you might have.
Thanks again for your support and understanding.
This makes sense that he waited until everyone had been notified. I'm impressed he's actually making himself available to meet unlike other properties where the publisher hides in his office.
ReplyDeleteYes, but why not release the names of everyone laid off? Instead, people are huddled around their desks piecing together the list. That shows total disrespect for the employees. And the reason? So such a list doesn't get leaked and reveal the kind if cuts Gannett continues to make on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteBe serious - it doesn't take much to put together a list. This guy sounds like a class act. But you would look and look until you find something to complain about.
ReplyDeleteWhat company in the country, in any industry, releases a list. Grow up. Last night and this morning he was castigated for not meeting with folks and telling them what happened. Now he did and the best you can say is, "Where's the list?"
ReplyDeleteYeah, the list comment was pretty stupid. This isn't high school where you run to the gym to see the posted list on who made the team....and who didn't. I can't believe I actually just defended GCI mgmt. That's 1 out of my last 100 posts! Never met Power but it seems to me that he's doinf the best he can with the cards he's been told to deal....
ReplyDeleteThree similar comments all nastier than the norm? Hmmm. Who are you? Powers? Or Love? Why don't you ask the employees of the RGJ how they feel about Ted Powers. And Beryl Love. And the disrespect they've shown everyone.
ReplyDeleteI worked with Ted when he was in Nashville. He is a class act and very smart. Truly one of the people not one of the stupid intimidating type OC members who won't give you the time of day. I think credit is due that he actually is speaking with employees and not just staying in his office putting out the veiled threats to keep everyone quiet.
ReplyDeleteI heard this morning that the RGJ hired back the most popular columnist it let go in the first round of buyouts a few months back. Supposedly he'll write his Sunday column (starting this Sunday) for 100k a year. My source was reliable, but I have a hard time believing they'd shell out 100k for one employee. He's a great guy, awesome columnist, but wow. If true, what kind of business decision is that? Between his buyout and this supposed new salary, that's three employees' wages, at least! I just don't get it.
ReplyDelete$100,000 pleeeeeease. Why would you even believe that crap. It simply isn't true.
ReplyDeleteWord Ver = Dorki
that columnist was hired back to freelance a couple columns a week. If he's making $100K for that, he must be getting the Al Neuharth deal. That's absurd, and obviously not true.
ReplyDeleteMore like $100 a COLUMN for the "re-hired" columnist
ReplyDeleteTed Power, is without a doubt, a class act. I have known him personally for 15 years, and I will defend him any day, even though I was laid off as well.
ReplyDeleteThat's nothing! At least she's working at something! There is a certain Ad VP whose husband got a very substantial salary to work at the paper, when all he really did was be a house husband and baby sitter. Even brought the kids to meetings at the paper when he was supposedly working.
ReplyDeletenotice how there was no mention of growing circ volumes or print audience.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we continue to ignore advertisers that tell us that they DO NOT want online, they want print. Our answes is "yes, you do want digital andf here is how we will make it work....."
We have lost our way, it breaks my heart to see the company and industry I love give up on what the advertisers and readers want.
Keep up the great work Craig and Bob, you are doing a fantastic job, Maybe we can close 10 more newspapers by years end?
Jim,
ReplyDeleteAnyway you can post the pics larger, say 8x10 size so we can print them off for dart boards?
When you post them so small when you try to blow them up to ideal dart board size they get blurry and you can't tell the person'
s face from a horse's ass.
Thanks.
Local 401
I'm the "most popular columnist" supposedly hired back in Reno to do one column a week for six figures. Would that it were true, and I'm well worth it, but reports of my wealth have been greatly exaggerated. Think mid-FOUR figures.
ReplyDeleteThe folks that 'know him well' certainly must have known him long ago. I cannot imagine that anyone who knew him as a publisher and love the industry could ever honestly say that he had what it takes to work as a publisher. He's a failure protected by the armor of corporate stupidty.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Ted Power did speak to we staffmembers in Reno last week. What a guy, message was don't buy a house or a car right now because you never know what can happen these days. The staff was definitely pumped up and ready to go out and work harder and smarter after that uplifting speech. Ted is driving a great property into the ground, but he's kissing someone's ass on a very regular basis to still have a job. What a shame that ass kissing is noticed and rewarded more than dedication and commitment.
ReplyDelete