Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday | March 31 | Your News & Comments
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Yikes! I'm down to my final fundraising hours
With fewer than six hours left, I've raised just $4,481 -- barely 75% of my quarterly goal. Advertising sales are only 15% of that total, down from 24% in the previous quarter, when I pulled in more than $5,200. Your donations count more than ever! The breakdown so far:
I'm trying to earn $6,000 quarterly, mostly through sponsorships of $5 per reader, plus limited ad sales. Please use the "Donate" tool in the green rail, upper right. Or mail cash/checks payable to: Jim Hopkins, 584 Castro St. #823, San Francisco, Calif., 94114-2594.
- Advertising sales: $626
- Sponsorships: $3,855
I'm trying to earn $6,000 quarterly, mostly through sponsorships of $5 per reader, plus limited ad sales. Please use the "Donate" tool in the green rail, upper right. Or mail cash/checks payable to: Jim Hopkins, 584 Castro St. #823, San Francisco, Calif., 94114-2594.
Four N.J. papers creating regional copy desk
The desk devoted to writing headlines and giving stories a final editing will be based at the Asbury Park Press in Neptune, N.J. It will serve Asbury Park, plus three of the six New Jersey Group dailies: the Courier News, the Home News Tribune and the Daily Record, according to a memo I've obtained.
"The affected employees are being briefed on this change now,'' the memo says. A staff meeting is set for at 5 p.m. ET at the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick. Two other N.J. papers are not included, the memo indicates.
At each paper, the change affects the day desk, the night desk, the entertainment desk, the business desk, the sports desk, art and design, the memo says: "To lead this regional desk operation, Gannett is creating 16 new editing management positions in Neptune. These editors will be responsible for page production and editing for all of the daily and non-daily pages produced by the four newspapers.''
Copy editors and editors affected by the switch are being encouraged to apply for jobs on the new desk. Those who don't will be offered severance, the memo says.
The move will follow newspaper division chief Bob Dickey's recent remarks about a possible similar editing operation in the Indianapolis area to serve The Indianapolis Star, plus other metro papers and smaller dailies in the area. Gannett's 10 Wisconsin papers already share regional editing and other production work.
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.[Today's Asbury Park front page, Newseum]
"The affected employees are being briefed on this change now,'' the memo says. A staff meeting is set for at 5 p.m. ET at the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick. Two other N.J. papers are not included, the memo indicates.At each paper, the change affects the day desk, the night desk, the entertainment desk, the business desk, the sports desk, art and design, the memo says: "To lead this regional desk operation, Gannett is creating 16 new editing management positions in Neptune. These editors will be responsible for page production and editing for all of the daily and non-daily pages produced by the four newspapers.''
Copy editors and editors affected by the switch are being encouraged to apply for jobs on the new desk. Those who don't will be offered severance, the memo says.
The move will follow newspaper division chief Bob Dickey's recent remarks about a possible similar editing operation in the Indianapolis area to serve The Indianapolis Star, plus other metro papers and smaller dailies in the area. Gannett's 10 Wisconsin papers already share regional editing and other production work.
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.[Today's Asbury Park front page, Newseum]
Text of N.J. Group memo on regional copy desk
The following was sent to employees today the New Jersey newspapers; I believe the author is Home News Tribune Publisher Skip Hidlay.
We are creating a regional news and sports copy desk and page production operation at the Tribune, plus the Asbury Park Press, the Courier News, and the Daily Record.
At each of the four newspapers, this affects the day desk, the night desk, the entertainment desk, the business desk, the sports desk, art and design.
The local reporters, the assigning/local news desk editors, the multimedia/photo editor, the local photographers/videographers and the digital editors/producers/programmers will not be affected by this change and will remain in their current positions at their current locations. The local reporters, assigning editors and photographers will cover the news just as they do now, but the copy editing and page production of their work will be handled by the regional desk operation in Neptune.
All current news and sports copy editors/designers/paginators at the Courier News, the Home News Tribune and the Daily Record are being offered transfers to the new regional desk operation in Neptune. Those who do not want to transfer will be offered a severance package. The scholastic sports editors will likely divide their time between the local and regional operations.
To lead this regional desk operation, we are creating 16 new editing management positions in Neptune. These editors will be responsible for page production and editing for all of the daily and non-daily pages produced by the four newspapers. A list of these positions and job descriptions will be posted.
The editors and assistant editors leading the copy and sports desk operations at the four newspapers are all encouraged to apply for these new regional positions. We are only interviewing internal candidates for these positions. In addition to the interview, the criteria we will use in filling these positions will be the candidate's current job performance, past experience and past job performance reviews.
We will begin interviewing for the new jobs on Tuesday afternoon and plan to announce the new regional editors and assistant editors on Wednesday, April 8. Managers who are not selected for these positions will be offered severance packages.
Once selected, the regional desk editors will immediately begin working with their staffs to plan how the new operation will work and begin phasing it in. Our goal is to have the regional desk begin producing the Courier News and Home News Tribune by May 4 at the latest and the Daily Record by June 1 at the latest.
The affected employees are being briefed on this change now. I will hold a staff meeting at 5 p.m. in the HNT large conference room for news employees not directly affected by this change. I will hold additional staff meetings at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Somerville and at 11 a.m. in East Brunswick for advertising and circulation employees.
We are creating a regional news and sports copy desk and page production operation at the Tribune, plus the Asbury Park Press, the Courier News, and the Daily Record.
At each of the four newspapers, this affects the day desk, the night desk, the entertainment desk, the business desk, the sports desk, art and design.
The local reporters, the assigning/local news desk editors, the multimedia/photo editor, the local photographers/videographers and the digital editors/producers/programmers will not be affected by this change and will remain in their current positions at their current locations. The local reporters, assigning editors and photographers will cover the news just as they do now, but the copy editing and page production of their work will be handled by the regional desk operation in Neptune.
All current news and sports copy editors/designers/paginators at the Courier News, the Home News Tribune and the Daily Record are being offered transfers to the new regional desk operation in Neptune. Those who do not want to transfer will be offered a severance package. The scholastic sports editors will likely divide their time between the local and regional operations.
To lead this regional desk operation, we are creating 16 new editing management positions in Neptune. These editors will be responsible for page production and editing for all of the daily and non-daily pages produced by the four newspapers. A list of these positions and job descriptions will be posted.
The editors and assistant editors leading the copy and sports desk operations at the four newspapers are all encouraged to apply for these new regional positions. We are only interviewing internal candidates for these positions. In addition to the interview, the criteria we will use in filling these positions will be the candidate's current job performance, past experience and past job performance reviews.
We will begin interviewing for the new jobs on Tuesday afternoon and plan to announce the new regional editors and assistant editors on Wednesday, April 8. Managers who are not selected for these positions will be offered severance packages.
Once selected, the regional desk editors will immediately begin working with their staffs to plan how the new operation will work and begin phasing it in. Our goal is to have the regional desk begin producing the Courier News and Home News Tribune by May 4 at the latest and the Daily Record by June 1 at the latest.
The affected employees are being briefed on this change now. I will hold a staff meeting at 5 p.m. in the HNT large conference room for news employees not directly affected by this change. I will hold additional staff meetings at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Somerville and at 11 a.m. in East Brunswick for advertising and circulation employees.
Moon's parachute: Looks like at least $3.7 million
Suddenly retiring USA Today Publisher Craig Moon, 59, would get that going-away money, plus a whole lot more, according to the retirement/voluntary termination section of the March 2008 proxy report to stockholders.
That was the last time Moon (left) appeared as a so-called named executive officer (NEO), whose benefits get disclosed in public. To be sure, a portion of his payout is in now-worthless Gannett stock options. He dropped out of Corporate's exclusive top five club only this month, an early sign trouble might be afoot. Moon got paid $1.6 million in 2007, down from $2.1 million in 2006, the summary compensation table shows. Still, all five named executive officers got pay cuts that year.
But wait, there's more!
From that same March 2008 proxy report, where Moon was last mentioned; note: he's a member of the powerful Gannett Management Committee, mentioned below.
All members of the Gannett Management Committee, which includes all NEOs, are covered by life insurance policies (other than Newsquest CEO Paul Davidson). The Company will pay premiums on universal life insurance policies owned by the executive having face amounts equal to 100% of the sum of two times the salary and last bonus of such executive plus $200,000, or $300,000 in the case of CEO Craig Dubow. The Company will pay the policy premium in full by the time the executive reaches age 65. The policy’s face amount reduces 10% each year after termination, to a minimum of $350,000.
Until the policy premiums are paid in full, the expected annual cost to the Company of these premiums ranges from $25,000 -- $45,000 per executive per year but are subject to variance pursuant to customary insurance underwriting procedures. All members of the Gannett Management Committee are also entitled to receive the following post-retirement perquisites:
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
That was the last time Moon (left) appeared as a so-called named executive officer (NEO), whose benefits get disclosed in public. To be sure, a portion of his payout is in now-worthless Gannett stock options. He dropped out of Corporate's exclusive top five club only this month, an early sign trouble might be afoot. Moon got paid $1.6 million in 2007, down from $2.1 million in 2006, the summary compensation table shows. Still, all five named executive officers got pay cuts that year.But wait, there's more!
From that same March 2008 proxy report, where Moon was last mentioned; note: he's a member of the powerful Gannett Management Committee, mentioned below.
All members of the Gannett Management Committee, which includes all NEOs, are covered by life insurance policies (other than Newsquest CEO Paul Davidson). The Company will pay premiums on universal life insurance policies owned by the executive having face amounts equal to 100% of the sum of two times the salary and last bonus of such executive plus $200,000, or $300,000 in the case of CEO Craig Dubow. The Company will pay the policy premium in full by the time the executive reaches age 65. The policy’s face amount reduces 10% each year after termination, to a minimum of $350,000.
Until the policy premiums are paid in full, the expected annual cost to the Company of these premiums ranges from $25,000 -- $45,000 per executive per year but are subject to variance pursuant to customary insurance underwriting procedures. All members of the Gannett Management Committee are also entitled to receive the following post-retirement perquisites:
- (i) if the executive is asked to represent the company at a function or event, travel accident insurance;
- (ii) legal and financial counseling services on the same basis as available as an active benefit at the time his or her employment terminates, until April 15 of the year of retirement or the year following retirement;
- (iii) the right to purchase the company-owned car provided to the executive at the time of termination, at fair market value, and
- (iv) other than Davidson, supplemental medical insurance coverage for the executive and his or her family with a maximum annual benefit of $25,000 per executive family. During the first year, we estimate the expected incremental cost to the Company for these post-retirement benefits would have been $32,000 for each NEO. Thereafter, we estimate the expected annual incremental cost to the Company, based primarily on the expected costs of the supplemental medical insurance benefit, would be $7,000 for each NEO. Except as otherwise provided with respect to Dubow, the Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the life insurance benefit and the post-retirement perquisites from time-to-time, provided that any changes with respect to the benefits provided to one executive shall also apply to similarly situated current and former executives.
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Bulletin: USAT's publisher retiring after six years; Craig Moon exits No. 1 daily amid ad sales plunge
I have been informed of an extraordinary power shift at the nation's top-circulation newspaper: Publisher Craig Moon, 59 (left), has just announced his retirement, effective April 17, in a memo sent to employees moments ago. Now, confirmed: Here's Corporate's statement. But there's no mention of a replacement.Moon's departure after six years as chief executive of Gannett's marquee brand followed steep advertising sales declines during the early part of this quarter vs. a year ago. His exit means the paper's two top jobs are now in play: Editor Ken Paulson has yet to be replaced since his departure at the end of January for Freedom Forum foundation.
Big, scary question: What does this say about early results from Detroit's big home-delivery pullback yesterday? The Detroit Media Partnership is part of his portfolio; the rest: USA Weekend, Gannett Offset and the Military Times operation, GCI's statement says.
Text of Moon retirement memo
To: USA TODAY Employees
Fr: Craig A. Moon
After 23 years with Gannett and six years as your president and publisher, I will be retiring on April 17, 2009.
I am thankful to have been afforded the opportunity to represent one of the strongest and most recognizable national brands in the USA and to have worked with some of the smartest, most engaged and passionate folks in the industry. I will carry forward a multitude of memories and life experiences I would not have otherwise benefited from without my association with you and the incredible USA TODAY brand.
Certainly the timing of my retirement coincides with industry challenges. The changing media environment and the recession are creating new opportunities. I am bullish on possibilities to adjust the business models and adapt new mindsets which could lead to the industry becoming a growth business once again.
Please remember, USA TODAY the brand and all of you in the short term will be challenged … but in the long term – you will come out on top. The brand is actually bigger than the business and that’s good. USA TODAY history plays to innovation – just look at the success of the new iPhone application. Because you are flexible, willing to take risks, understand new technology and are not stuck in the past … you are better than the competition.
Today’s business environment will require frequent operational adjustments. Opportunities have been created. Regardless of how good new ideas may be, many will not work. While some of the results are being affected by systemic media changes, much is recession related which should recover and the brand will build back into a growth model as long as you continue to move ahead during the recession.
I’d like to leave you with some important foundational points … Ÿ the brand’s success is built on the consumer’s preference and the relevant value you create Ÿ business travelers find value in your work Ÿ the business is about content regardless of the platform or delivery mechanism Ÿ USATODAY.com audience is growing and leads in the Mobile arena Ÿ foundations for new businesses in licensing Ÿ hotel products, eReaders and a host of new partnership opportunities are available for the brand to capitalize on.
It has been my pleasure to work with each and every one of you. I will miss the collaborating efforts of this extraordinary USA TODAY team.
All the best,
Craig A. Moon
Don't just sit there with your mouth hanging open! What's next?! Post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Detroit wins prestigious IRE medal for mayor series
The Free Press gets the Investigative Reporters and Editors award for its probe of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, in a tie with McClatchy Co.'s Washington bureau, the journalism trade association just announced.
In their citation, the judges say: "Through careful analysis of public records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the reporters verified a trove of text messages and then, with the aid of other Free Press reporters, methodically demolished the mayor's carefully built façade of lies, pay-offs and cronyism -- a compelling example of investigative reporting's ability to reveal abuses of power."
In September, seven months after the Freep report, Kilpatrick pled guilty to two felony counts of obstructing justice.
Related: The Freep's first-day Kilpatrick story
McClatchy was honored for "Guantanamo: Beyond the Law," an expose of abuses at the U.S. government's Guantanamo Bay prison.
The awards recognize the most outstanding watchdog journalism of the year, IRE says. The contest covers 15 categories across media platforms and a range of market sizes. The contest, which began in 1979, received more than 380 entries this year.
In their citation, the judges say: "Through careful analysis of public records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the reporters verified a trove of text messages and then, with the aid of other Free Press reporters, methodically demolished the mayor's carefully built façade of lies, pay-offs and cronyism -- a compelling example of investigative reporting's ability to reveal abuses of power."In September, seven months after the Freep report, Kilpatrick pled guilty to two felony counts of obstructing justice.
Related: The Freep's first-day Kilpatrick story
McClatchy was honored for "Guantanamo: Beyond the Law," an expose of abuses at the U.S. government's Guantanamo Bay prison.
The awards recognize the most outstanding watchdog journalism of the year, IRE says. The contest covers 15 categories across media platforms and a range of market sizes. The contest, which began in 1979, received more than 380 entries this year.
Detroit: Freep site overwhelmed on swap's first day
At peak times, pages for digitalfreepress.com loaded slowly or not at all, the Detroit Free Press told readers this morning, a day after the Gannett paper and The Detroit News radically curtailed home delivery in favor of the Web, plus new, slimmer print editions. I had the same problem moments ago today -- but only with the Freep; the News' version loaded without a hitch.
The paper told readers in a front-page note (left) today that it's "working closely with our vendor, Tecnavia, to increase server capacity. The e-Edition is an option that many readers are enjoying and we hope to have it running much more smoothly today. We thank you for your patience.''
More than 500,000 copies of the new condensed print version got printed yesterday, and offered free as part of the first day's promotion. But Nancy Nester, 51, a program coordinator at a traumatic brain injury center who subscribed to both papers for years, didn't pick up either one. "I don’t have time to stop at the store," she told The New York Times. "That’s why I have home delivery."
Returns today termed 'huge'
Many copies of the new, slimmer print Freep were returned from racks, even though they were free, says Anonymous@7:19 a.m.:
"I'm in single-copy at Detroit newspapers and the returns this morning are HUGE from yesterday's big launch where the papers were GIVEN AWAY. All stops are not back yet, but early figures indicate more than half of News and Free Presses are coming back UNSOLD (oh, ungivenaway I guess). This despite a huge ad campaign and huge signage indicating the papers were free at the stores."
Can anyone else confirm -- and add detail? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Hunke on delivery switch
Here's Dave Hunke, CEO of the Detroit Media Partnership joint operating agency, describing that publishes the Freep and the News:
[Today's front page, Newseum]
The paper told readers in a front-page note (left) today that it's "working closely with our vendor, Tecnavia, to increase server capacity. The e-Edition is an option that many readers are enjoying and we hope to have it running much more smoothly today. We thank you for your patience.''More than 500,000 copies of the new condensed print version got printed yesterday, and offered free as part of the first day's promotion. But Nancy Nester, 51, a program coordinator at a traumatic brain injury center who subscribed to both papers for years, didn't pick up either one. "I don’t have time to stop at the store," she told The New York Times. "That’s why I have home delivery."
Returns today termed 'huge'
Many copies of the new, slimmer print Freep were returned from racks, even though they were free, says Anonymous@7:19 a.m.:
"I'm in single-copy at Detroit newspapers and the returns this morning are HUGE from yesterday's big launch where the papers were GIVEN AWAY. All stops are not back yet, but early figures indicate more than half of News and Free Presses are coming back UNSOLD (oh, ungivenaway I guess). This despite a huge ad campaign and huge signage indicating the papers were free at the stores."Can anyone else confirm -- and add detail? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Hunke on delivery switch
Here's Dave Hunke, CEO of the Detroit Media Partnership joint operating agency, describing that publishes the Freep and the News:
[Today's front page, Newseum]
Furloughs: A worker says they're exempt; are you?
Regarding the new round of required unpaid weeks off, a reader says they're not required to take a furlough. When the worker asked why, "I was told the reason was confidential.'' The employee worries about the reaction from co-workers when they notice a name missing from the furlough schedule. Now, the employee wants to know if there are other Gannett workers also declared exempt.
San Francisco prices: $1,650 apartment rents
[Yellow signs in window say: $1,650; open house Saturday, 2-4]
No joke, folks: I shot this today, and I know for a fact San Francisco apartment rents are still this high -- even for ones at amazingly busy intersections in commercial business districts.
The sign doesn't say, but it looks like a one-floor, corner unit, two-bedroom -- possibly with a second bath. I doubt the $1,650 monthly rent includes the one-car garage, right underneath the apartment; the sign would say, because parking spaces are so scarce in the city. This is one of San Francisco's busier intersections -- made all the worse by that big road structure to the left, the Highway 101 Central Skyway to the Bay Bridge and Oakland.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday | March 30 | Your News & Comments
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.)
Tip: Publishers meeting with Dickey this week
I hear nearly a dozen are convening at Corporate starting as soon as tomorrow or Wednesday, for a series of meetings with newspaper division President Bob Dickey. Is your publisher among them?
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Tucson: Hopkins (sort of) admits 'dumb mistake'
Regarding a controversial Tucson Citizen column I posted Saturday, Anonymous@2:03 p.m. writes: "I don't enjoy seeing Jim get shredded, but I want and expect him to stand up and admit his error. 7:34 p.m. is exactly right. Contacting the author and asking for comment is the MINIMUM standard for an ethical, self-respecting journalist, and no 'what would you do' quizzes and qualification exercises are needed to meet that standard."
And yet!
Here's another what-would-you-do-quiz. Follow this sequence of events, then answer the question at the end:
I first saw Anne Denogean's column about 1 a.m. PT Saturday, when I checked my e-mail one last time before going to bed. At that hour, I decided to wait until later in the day to do anything with the text. In the back of my mind, however, was the possibility that the column also had been e-mailed to Tucson Weekly, Phoenix New Times, or Jim Romenesko's blog; that posed a potential competitive threat.
Near 11:30 a.m. PT, and ready to post, I briefly considered calling or e-mailing Denogean. I had only one way to contact her, however: the Citizen phone number and e-mail address listed with her column. I could not reach her at home -- where I assumed she would be at that hour on a Saturday. That was a dumb mistake, and I knew better; I should have tried.
Instead, I published the text at 11:33 a.m. PT.
Problem solved -- not!
Now, suppose I had instead called Denogean's work number and left a message, and also wrote to her Citizen address at 11:30 a.m. PT. I could then have written: "Denogean could not be reached for comment at post time" -- and immediately published the piece.
Somehow, though, I don't think that's what @2:03 and others have had in mind.
Question: If I'd left those voice and e-mail messages for Denogean, how long would I need to wait before posting?
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
And yet!
Here's another what-would-you-do-quiz. Follow this sequence of events, then answer the question at the end:
I first saw Anne Denogean's column about 1 a.m. PT Saturday, when I checked my e-mail one last time before going to bed. At that hour, I decided to wait until later in the day to do anything with the text. In the back of my mind, however, was the possibility that the column also had been e-mailed to Tucson Weekly, Phoenix New Times, or Jim Romenesko's blog; that posed a potential competitive threat.Near 11:30 a.m. PT, and ready to post, I briefly considered calling or e-mailing Denogean. I had only one way to contact her, however: the Citizen phone number and e-mail address listed with her column. I could not reach her at home -- where I assumed she would be at that hour on a Saturday. That was a dumb mistake, and I knew better; I should have tried.
Instead, I published the text at 11:33 a.m. PT.
Problem solved -- not!
Now, suppose I had instead called Denogean's work number and left a message, and also wrote to her Citizen address at 11:30 a.m. PT. I could then have written: "Denogean could not be reached for comment at post time" -- and immediately published the piece.
Somehow, though, I don't think that's what @2:03 and others have had in mind.
Question: If I'd left those voice and e-mail messages for Denogean, how long would I need to wait before posting?
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Urgent: Connell named head of new ContentOne
Gannett chief publicist Tara Connell keeps her vice president title, as she assumes control of the dramatically shrunken former Gannett News Service, the company just announced. The disclosure ends for now a high-profile soap opera over control of the nascent news and Web pagination system.
GCI's statement lists Connell, about 55 years old, as the contact person for questions -- an interesting ethical choice. Also, journalist Connell has been out of the newsroom for a long time. How else to explain at least three glaring omissions in the statement: her age; the name of the person she'll report to (powerful Chief Financial Officer Gracia Martore is her current boss); plus, what becomes of Vice President Kate Marymont and her News Department, which controlled GNS as long as I can recall.
Connell is a former page one managing editor for USA Today. Corporate says a Connell successor will be announced. Brief iPhone post. Will update. Comment, below, please.
GCI's statement lists Connell, about 55 years old, as the contact person for questions -- an interesting ethical choice. Also, journalist Connell has been out of the newsroom for a long time. How else to explain at least three glaring omissions in the statement: her age; the name of the person she'll report to (powerful Chief Financial Officer Gracia Martore is her current boss); plus, what becomes of Vice President Kate Marymont and her News Department, which controlled GNS as long as I can recall.
Connell is a former page one managing editor for USA Today. Corporate says a Connell successor will be announced. Brief iPhone post. Will update. Comment, below, please.
Detroit leads historic switch closer to 100% digital
After more than three months' planning, the Gannett-controlled Detroit newspapers today reduced home delivery to just three days popular with advertisers: Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. The rest of the week, customers of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News are encouraged to go to the papers' websites, or to buy new slimmer print versions, also debuting today, at retail locations. "They are accelerating greatly the print-to-digital transformation, and they are taking a great chance there," media analyst Ken Doctor of Outsell Inc. told the Associated Press.
Freep Editor Paul Anger said today switch "marks the start of a new era" for delivering news. "We're still printing newspapers every day," Anger told readers in a note, "we're putting replicas of Free Press pages online at digitalfreepress.com -- and we're putting more emphasis on digital ways of getting information to you, including right here at freep.com. That means freep.com has more updates than ever, and we're working to make response times faster. It means you can view more videos from our Emmy-award winning staff, get more news on your mobile device at m.freep.com, sign up for E-Newsletters, follow us at twitter.com/freep or twitter.com/freepautos or twitter.com/freepsports, visit our Facebook page, join the conversations at momslikeme.com, make plans for food and fun at Detroit.metromix.com, find a job or a car or a better buy at our careerbuilder.com, cars.com or shoplocal.com."The papers are published by the Detroit Media Partnership, a joint operating agency owned by Gannett and MediaNews Group. GCI owned the News for 20 years until 2005, when it sold the paper to MediaNews in a three-way deal with Knight Ridder. Gannett got Knight's Freep, Florida's Tallahassee Democrat, and "cash consideration'' the companies did not disclose. Knight got Gannett's Idaho Statesman, plus two Washington state dailies: The Olympian, and The Bellingham Herald. Most of Knight was subsequently merged into McClatchy Co.
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday | March 29 | Your News & Comments
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.)
OMG! I can't wait for the reality TV show!
Facing another furlough, Gannett Digital's clever Laura Cochran joined employees last week using free text-message broadcaster Twitter to launch Furlough House Swap. The site's for workers trying to turn mandatory unpaid time off into early-summer vacations -- on the cheap. The idea: match co-workers willing to swap homes for one week, free, during the required months of April, May or June.
Related: State-by-state U.S. newspapers, plus the TV stations
Related: State-by-state U.S. newspapers, plus the TV stations
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Will Gannett Blog die Wednesday without $6K?
Part of an occasional series about yours truly.
Q. You've only reached 66% of your quarterly goal -- and the quarter ends at midnight Tuesday. I don't want to donate to a losing cause. Are you definitely staying through the next quarter? Rest of the year?
A. I can't lie, which dashes any hope I'll hit my $6,000 target. I'll find a way to keep Gannett Blog going, so long as one condition is met -- that I draw a minimum 500 daily readers. (Not a problem anytime soon: Nearly 38,000 uniques visited during the past 30 days.)
Now, don't get me wrong: I need to earn at least $24,000 a year. The more I earn here, the less I spend there -- which means an even stronger blog for the world's biggest dysfunctional family: ours.
Ad sales just 15% of my income
With the quarter ending Tuesday, I've earned just $3,973. Advertising sales are barely 15%, illustrating the crucial role of your donations. The breakdown:
I'm trying to earn $6,000 quarterly, mostly through sponsorships of $5 per reader, plus limited ad sales. Please use the "Donate" tool in the green rail, upper right. Or mail cash/checks payable to: Jim Hopkins, 584 Castro St. #823, San Francisco, Calif., 94114-2594.
Q. You've only reached 66% of your quarterly goal -- and the quarter ends at midnight Tuesday. I don't want to donate to a losing cause. Are you definitely staying through the next quarter? Rest of the year?
A. I can't lie, which dashes any hope I'll hit my $6,000 target. I'll find a way to keep Gannett Blog going, so long as one condition is met -- that I draw a minimum 500 daily readers. (Not a problem anytime soon: Nearly 38,000 uniques visited during the past 30 days.)
Now, don't get me wrong: I need to earn at least $24,000 a year. The more I earn here, the less I spend there -- which means an even stronger blog for the world's biggest dysfunctional family: ours.
Ad sales just 15% of my income
With the quarter ending Tuesday, I've earned just $3,973. Advertising sales are barely 15%, illustrating the crucial role of your donations. The breakdown:
- Ad sales: $583
- Sponsorships: $3,390
I'm trying to earn $6,000 quarterly, mostly through sponsorships of $5 per reader, plus limited ad sales. Please use the "Donate" tool in the green rail, upper right. Or mail cash/checks payable to: Jim Hopkins, 584 Castro St. #823, San Francisco, Calif., 94114-2594.
Furlough House Swap: We got dibs on Craig's crib!
The Adirondack-style clubhouse at Trillium in Cashiers, N.C., where Jackson County public documents show CEO Craig Dubow owns a $1.5 million country estate in the gated golf community.Facing another furlough, Laura Cochran of Gannett Digital joined co-workers last week on free text-message broadcaster Twitter, where they launched Furlough House Swap for employees who aren't working or earning to vacation on the cheap, the Chicago Tribune says today.
Tucson writer 'not at all happy' her column leaked
Tucson Citizen reporter Anne T. Denogean says the copy of her column I posted today was incomplete, and got leaked to me without her OK. I got it after a tip that a Citizen column was spiked because a Gannett executive objected to its veiled criticism of plans to sell or close the paper. An employee 15 years, Denogean is one of about 60 newsroom workers who could lose their jobs. Here's her e-mail to me:
Hi Jim,
The reason the leaked column contained "garbled text" is because the column was never finished.
I am not at all happy that it was leaked and not out of a need to protect Gannett. One, as a rough draft, it doesn't meet my personal standards of quality (among other things, I hadn't got around to correcting typo-related misspellings of my co-workers' names). Two, I think it was extremely rude, slimy and disrespectful of a colleague to go into my queue, make a copy of my unfinished work and send it out for publication without my authorization. We are all frustrated about our current circumstances, but we're family here at the Citizen and you just don't do that to another member of your family.
Anne T. Denogean
By the way, I don't deal in anonymous. You can print this comment with my name.
Hi Jim,
The reason the leaked column contained "garbled text" is because the column was never finished.
I am not at all happy that it was leaked and not out of a need to protect Gannett. One, as a rough draft, it doesn't meet my personal standards of quality (among other things, I hadn't got around to correcting typo-related misspellings of my co-workers' names). Two, I think it was extremely rude, slimy and disrespectful of a colleague to go into my queue, make a copy of my unfinished work and send it out for publication without my authorization. We are all frustrated about our current circumstances, but we're family here at the Citizen and you just don't do that to another member of your family.
Anne T. Denogean
By the way, I don't deal in anonymous. You can print this comment with my name.
Can save-our-paper bake sales be far behind?
Jonathan Mann of Berkeley, Calif., posts a song daily on Rock Cookie Bottom blog. His week-old Saving Newspapers has been viewed more than 2,600 times, ranking it No. 9 among his 75 videos. Most-viewed: Hey Paul Krugman (A song, A plea), seen more than 144,000 times.
S.O.S.: This is your News Department on Kool-Aid
I've never met Ann Clark, one of two executives Corporate stationed at Arizona's Tucson Citizen last week. But Clark may recall me as the blogger who made light of an especially dreadful News Watch article published under her byline last fall.A general executive in the News Department, Clark is supposed to help mentor thousands of reporters and editors in the community dailies. Now, however, she's in Tucson with another Corporate executive, apparently charged with one of these missions:
1. Quell a mutiny among 60 employees, all in the Tucson Citizen's newsroom, after Gannett ordered them to put out the newspaper on only a day-to-day schedule, with no guarantee of future employment, pending an unlikely sale to 11th-hour bidders as early as next week. The paper stays alive at least until until then.
2. Provide support to those employees during an incredibly difficult time, as Tara Connell described Corporate's goals for Clark and the second executive from McLean, Va.: Bob Oliver, a vice president for compensation and benefits.
Kool-Aid O.D. evidence
Last fall, I offered Clark's News Watch article as fresh evidence of how little Corporate had changed, more than two years after CEO Craig Dubow started pushing urgent, meaningful "transformation'' to keep Gannett alive. What was my smoking gun? First, some context.
The article was published by the News Department when long-time Gannett executive Phil Currie (left) was still in charge. (Fort Myers News-Press Executive Editor Kate Marymont assumed the position with Currie's retirement late last year.) Currie's job was to help journalists do watchdog journalism -- a newspaper's most fundamental responsibility -- at a time when GCI's finance side was putting the screws to newsroom budgets. I recall him mostly for his many, many editorial quality control and efficiency programs, beginning with 1991's News 2000, and ending with the Local Information Center business model of 2006.Yet, by last September, Gannett's newsrooms were in disarray. Only a month before, the company had launched one of the largest workforce reductions in its 102-year history. The 600 newspaper employees laid off, combined with the elimination of 400 more jobs, was probably the industry's single-biggest such cut since World War II. (The December cuts were bigger, of course.)
So, looking to Corporate and the News Department for practical advice on rebuilding their increasingly emaciated newsrooms, here's what journalists got in that Sept. 18 News Watch article:
Headline: Find ways to strengthen your diversity efforts on Information Center Web site
Introduction: Four papers get cited for good work -- Cincinnati, Nashville, Phoenix, and St. Cloud, Minn. Then, word-for-word:
These are just a few examples of efforts by Gannett Information Centers to further understand and report on the diversity communities in which they live. These examples are based on information provided in the All-American Review materials and the Diversity Award entry process. We have culled “Best Practices” of journalism and Information Center actions that reflect the principles of All-American. Examples are organized by key areas in our collective outreach efforts: Diversity committees, Community outreach, Diversity examples, Mainstreaming examples, Staff development and Diversity source lists.Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
[Today's St. Cloud Times front page, Newseum]
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday | March 28 | Your News & Comments
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.)
Don't Blame Me Inc.: How we pass the Tucson buck
Like you, my financial security is very important. That's why I demand the highest possible return from managers of mutual funds where I invest my hard-earned savings. Now, here are the consequences:
Don't blame Corporate's executives now stationed at Arizona's 139-year-old Tucson Citizen, if they've been screening stories for negative references to Gannett during what may be the paper's final days of publishing. "Truth is," says Anonymous@3 p.m., local management called Corporate, "and asked for someone to come to deal with a newsroom spinning out of control."
Besides, Corporate's reps are just following orders, right?
Don't blame local management's boss, Bob Dickey (left). The head of the newspaper division -- Gannett's biggest, and most troubled -- told Citizen employees two months ago that "dramatic changes" in the newspaper industry, mean it's "no longer viable" for GCI and its business partner to produce two daily papers in Tucson. "We deeply regret having to take this step,'' he said. (Dickey then took off for California winter golf resort Palm Springs, for a couple five-figure rounds in a celebrity tournament -- initially, at shareholder expense.)
Besides, Dickey is just following orders.
Don't blame Dickey's boss, Chairman and CEO Craig Dubow (left). He got handed the keys in 2005, just as the economy started pitching into a major recession -- especially in Arizona. Announcing a second round of furloughs only five days ago, Dubow told employees in a memo: "We are about to begin the second quarter without any real relief in sight from this unprecedented economic downturn." (Less than a week before, Gannett disclosed that the board of directors gave $2 million in all-cash bonuses to Dubow, Dickey and GCI's other five top-paid executives -- even though GCI stock plunged 79% last year.)
Besides, Dubow is just following orders.
Don't blame Dubow's bosses, the other members of the 10-person board of directors. Gannett paid those nine independent directors a combined $925,882 last year. But they only work part-time, and some have other duties. For example, the second most-powerful member, Presiding Director Karen Hastie Williams (left), is on four other boards; she's one of two directors who were members of the board that hired Dubow as CEO, four years ago. "Our company’s stock price performance in 2008 deeply disappointed all of our shareholders, the board and management included,'' Gannett's board told stockholders last week, in the new proxy report.
Besides, the board is just following orders.
Don't blame the board's bosses, large pension and mutual funds, like those managed by Gannett's single-best shareholder, AXA Financial. Owner of 13% of GCI's stock, the company's main division, AllianceBernstein, has lost billions on paper -- spurring its board to change CEOs in December. Only a month later, disclosing a 73% drop in the firm's net income, new CEO Peter Kraus told investors: "Capital markets plummeted during the final quarter of 2008, leading to substantially negative investment returns for clients."
Besides, Kraus is just following orders.
And don't blame Kraus's boss: me -- and all the other investors who demand the highest possible return on investments, no questions asked.
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Don't blame Corporate's executives now stationed at Arizona's 139-year-old Tucson Citizen, if they've been screening stories for negative references to Gannett during what may be the paper's final days of publishing. "Truth is," says Anonymous@3 p.m., local management called Corporate, "and asked for someone to come to deal with a newsroom spinning out of control."Besides, Corporate's reps are just following orders, right?
Don't blame local management's boss, Bob Dickey (left). The head of the newspaper division -- Gannett's biggest, and most troubled -- told Citizen employees two months ago that "dramatic changes" in the newspaper industry, mean it's "no longer viable" for GCI and its business partner to produce two daily papers in Tucson. "We deeply regret having to take this step,'' he said. (Dickey then took off for California winter golf resort Palm Springs, for a couple five-figure rounds in a celebrity tournament -- initially, at shareholder expense.)Besides, Dickey is just following orders.
Don't blame Dickey's boss, Chairman and CEO Craig Dubow (left). He got handed the keys in 2005, just as the economy started pitching into a major recession -- especially in Arizona. Announcing a second round of furloughs only five days ago, Dubow told employees in a memo: "We are about to begin the second quarter without any real relief in sight from this unprecedented economic downturn." (Less than a week before, Gannett disclosed that the board of directors gave $2 million in all-cash bonuses to Dubow, Dickey and GCI's other five top-paid executives -- even though GCI stock plunged 79% last year.)Besides, Dubow is just following orders.
Don't blame Dubow's bosses, the other members of the 10-person board of directors. Gannett paid those nine independent directors a combined $925,882 last year. But they only work part-time, and some have other duties. For example, the second most-powerful member, Presiding Director Karen Hastie Williams (left), is on four other boards; she's one of two directors who were members of the board that hired Dubow as CEO, four years ago. "Our company’s stock price performance in 2008 deeply disappointed all of our shareholders, the board and management included,'' Gannett's board told stockholders last week, in the new proxy report.Besides, the board is just following orders.
Don't blame the board's bosses, large pension and mutual funds, like those managed by Gannett's single-best shareholder, AXA Financial. Owner of 13% of GCI's stock, the company's main division, AllianceBernstein, has lost billions on paper -- spurring its board to change CEOs in December. Only a month later, disclosing a 73% drop in the firm's net income, new CEO Peter Kraus told investors: "Capital markets plummeted during the final quarter of 2008, leading to substantially negative investment returns for clients."Besides, Kraus is just following orders.
And don't blame Kraus's boss: me -- and all the other investors who demand the highest possible return on investments, no questions asked.
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
Tucson: 'The city will be far less rich for the loss'
Tucson Citizen columnist Anne T. Denogean writes for the Tuesday and Friday editions; the 139-year-old Gannett paper is now in what may be its final days of publication. I obtained the following from a Gannett Blog reader late last night, amid reports that a Denogean column got spiked this week when a Gannett Corporate employee objected to some of the text. I've made only minor editing changes.
John Travolta played the male equivalent of a dumb blond in the 1970s sitcom, Welcome Back, Kotter. As Vinnie Barbarino, his signature line, delivered with great angst whenever a situation became too convoluted, was: "I'm so confused!
That's the state of the Tucson Citizen survivors -- oops, staff -- at this point.
We thought we were running our last edition March 21. Potential buyers entered the picture at the last minute and Gannett corporate changed our status to day-to-day. Then, Gannett extended our reprieve to Friday. As I'm writing this column on Thursday afternoon, no one is committing to a Saturday paper, but the staff is writing stories on the assumption there is one.
As for what happens next week, well, that's confidential.
The details provided to staff have been skimpy. As a member of this staff and a lifelong resident of Tucson, of this much only am I certain.
This community is going to lose the Tucson Citizen as many know and love it and the city will be far less rich for the loss.
Look, the Citizen is either going to close the doors in the near future, or, based on the limited information being circulated in the newsroom, a new Citizen will emerge as a far different animal than what it is now.
Even my friends at the Arizona Daily Star, many of them former Tucson Citizen staffers, would agree this town deserves more than one major daily paper.
When it comes to reporting on a community, more is simply better. And you can't underestimate the importance of competition in the news business. Stories are broken and owned on both side of the Park Avenue complex that houses the Citizen and the Star.
The Star can toot its own horn.
When I first began at the Citizen 15 years ago, the paper looked very much alike on any given day, with the same stories. But as the Citizen's reporting staff shrunk over the years, and we decided we couldn't cover everything. we actually became free to do things differently. The focus switched from trying to beat other local media (although that never goes away entirely) to trying to do our thing.
As just one recent example, with her relentless reporting on the Lute Olson saga, Renne Schafer Horton tread where few sports reporters in this town dared to go. She asked tough questions and got answers.
Eric Sagara was reporting on the subprime mortgage crisis before almost anyone else in the nation.
Fernanda Echavarri, one of our youngest reporters, dug deep into a story that no other media was interested in. She uncovered the corruption of the top cop fired from South Tucson and delved deeply into the question of who knew what, when.
Susan Caroll, now at the Houston Chronicle, covered the border crossers, telling the stories behind the gruesome death, and explaining the reasons behind the mass exodus from Mexico.
Mary Bustamante and Larry Copenhaver, for years, conducted a high school student opinion poll that won national honors.
We at the Citizen have been far from perfect at what we do
But we've been pretty damn good at it and we'll miss doing it.
I will miss being a part of it.
John Travolta played the male equivalent of a dumb blond in the 1970s sitcom, Welcome Back, Kotter. As Vinnie Barbarino, his signature line, delivered with great angst whenever a situation became too convoluted, was: "I'm so confused!
That's the state of the Tucson Citizen survivors -- oops, staff -- at this point.
We thought we were running our last edition March 21. Potential buyers entered the picture at the last minute and Gannett corporate changed our status to day-to-day. Then, Gannett extended our reprieve to Friday. As I'm writing this column on Thursday afternoon, no one is committing to a Saturday paper, but the staff is writing stories on the assumption there is one.
As for what happens next week, well, that's confidential.
The details provided to staff have been skimpy. As a member of this staff and a lifelong resident of Tucson, of this much only am I certain.
This community is going to lose the Tucson Citizen as many know and love it and the city will be far less rich for the loss.
Look, the Citizen is either going to close the doors in the near future, or, based on the limited information being circulated in the newsroom, a new Citizen will emerge as a far different animal than what it is now.
Even my friends at the Arizona Daily Star, many of them former Tucson Citizen staffers, would agree this town deserves more than one major daily paper.
When it comes to reporting on a community, more is simply better. And you can't underestimate the importance of competition in the news business. Stories are broken and owned on both side of the Park Avenue complex that houses the Citizen and the Star.
The Star can toot its own horn.
When I first began at the Citizen 15 years ago, the paper looked very much alike on any given day, with the same stories. But as the Citizen's reporting staff shrunk over the years, and we decided we couldn't cover everything. we actually became free to do things differently. The focus switched from trying to beat other local media (although that never goes away entirely) to trying to do our thing.
As just one recent example, with her relentless reporting on the Lute Olson saga, Renne Schafer Horton tread where few sports reporters in this town dared to go. She asked tough questions and got answers.
Eric Sagara was reporting on the subprime mortgage crisis before almost anyone else in the nation.
Fernanda Echavarri, one of our youngest reporters, dug deep into a story that no other media was interested in. She uncovered the corruption of the top cop fired from South Tucson and delved deeply into the question of who knew what, when.
Susan Caroll, now at the Houston Chronicle, covered the border crossers, telling the stories behind the gruesome death, and explaining the reasons behind the mass exodus from Mexico.
Mary Bustamante and Larry Copenhaver, for years, conducted a high school student opinion poll that won national honors.
We at the Citizen have been far from perfect at what we do
But we've been pretty damn good at it and we'll miss doing it.
I will miss being a part of it.
Connell confirms Corporate's reps at Tucson
Gannett's primary concern is with supporting its employees at the Tucson Citizen, chief GCI publicist Tara Connell told the Arizona newspaper, now in what may be its final days of publication.
The Citizen also is reporting that potential buyers have been invited to visit the newsroom and interview employees next week. The paper has been on only day-to-day publishing status since two 11th-hour bidders emerged shortly before Gannett's original threatened March 21 shutdown.
Connell's remarks brought official confirmation that Corporate had sent two executives Wednesday to Tucson from McLean, Va., headquarters: the News Department's Ann Clark, and Bob Oliver, a vice president for compensation and benefits.
"You have to understand, normally, we don't offer a newspaper for sale and say in exchange they might shut down," Connell said, by way of explaining Clark and Oliver's presence. "This is unusual and we're trying to have people there who can answer questions."
Connell's remarks are puzzling, however. If Corporate's chief concern is providing support for Gannett's 60 Citizen employees, why did Clark and Oliver parachute into the paper unannounced -- a a tipster told me? And what of reports that a reporter's column was spiked after Clark's arrival, because it may have reflected poorly on Gannett or the potential bidders?
The Citizen also is reporting that potential buyers have been invited to visit the newsroom and interview employees next week. The paper has been on only day-to-day publishing status since two 11th-hour bidders emerged shortly before Gannett's original threatened March 21 shutdown.Connell's remarks brought official confirmation that Corporate had sent two executives Wednesday to Tucson from McLean, Va., headquarters: the News Department's Ann Clark, and Bob Oliver, a vice president for compensation and benefits.
"You have to understand, normally, we don't offer a newspaper for sale and say in exchange they might shut down," Connell said, by way of explaining Clark and Oliver's presence. "This is unusual and we're trying to have people there who can answer questions."
Connell's remarks are puzzling, however. If Corporate's chief concern is providing support for Gannett's 60 Citizen employees, why did Clark and Oliver parachute into the paper unannounced -- a a tipster told me? And what of reports that a reporter's column was spiked after Clark's arrival, because it may have reflected poorly on Gannett or the potential bidders?
Lock up the liquor! Gawker's readers are back
That other media industry blog picked up Alan Henney's farewell note, giving me an excuse to re-post the famous scene from one of my all-time favorite films: 1976's prescient Network, starring Peter Finch as an emotionally disturbed TV news anchor.What I'm doing right now
9:41 p.m., San Francisco time: Posting a self-portrait I took with my iPhone. I was way past due for a shave.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday | March 27 | Your News & Comments
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.)
Exhibit A: Dubow retirement benefits disclosed
Whoo-hoo! I finally found Craig Dubow's 2005 employment contract, which he signed after the board of directors named him chief executive officer four years ago. Now 54, Dubow (left), and Chairman Doug McCorkindale (below) executed the 11-page contract on July 25, 2005; it was filed four days later at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Also signing for the company: James Johnson, then head of the board's compensation committee.
I'm a public documents junkie, so my eyes lit up when I saw this: Paragraph 8(b) Miscellaneous Additional Benefits, Post-Retirement. I quote: "After Dubow ceases full-time active employment (whether before or after reaching his normal retirement date) for any reason other than good cause as defined in Section 5(a)(iii), he shall receive all benefits afforded to other retired executive officers generally, as described in Exhibit A to this Agreement as such Exhibit A may be revised from time to time."Exhibit A: CEO Retirement Benefits
This is the first time I've seen the generous "executive health insurance" promised to Dubow and his family. As near as I can tell, it's 100% company-paid, and good for the rest of their lives:
1. Life Insurance. The CEO owns a whole life insurance policy in an amount equal to 2 times salary and last bonus plus $200,000, or $300,000 if a member of both the Gannett Management Committee and Board of Directors. Gannett pays the policy premium. Upon retirement, the policy’s face amount reduces 10%, and 10% each year thereafter, to a minimum benefit of $350,000.
2. Travel Accident Insurance. The CEO receives insurance equal to 3 times salary and last bonus on a 24-hour business or pleasure basis. (This is in addition to the regular employee travel accident insurance benefit of 3 times salary and last bonus.) Upon retirement, the benefit ceases. However, if a retired CEO is asked to represent Gannett at a function or event and receives prior approval from the then-current CEO, travel accident insurance coverage of $1,000,000 will be provided while on business travel status.
3. Executive Health Insurance. The CEO receives supplemental health coverage with a maximum annual benefit of $25,000 per executive family. (This is in addition to the regular employee health insurance coverage.) Upon retirement, the maximum annual benefit remains unchanged. Upon death, the maximum annual family benefit for eligible dependents becomes $12,500 per year for life.
4. Company Automobile. Upon retirement, the company automobile is offered to the CEO at the fair market value.
5. Legal and Financial Services. Upon retirement, this benefit ceases on April 15 of the year of retirement or the year following retirement, depending on the actual retirement date.
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
S.O.S.: Desperate, we plead for his resignation
"Craig Dubow is like a corporate deer
caught in the headlights."
-- Anonymous@3:47 p.m., writing about why it's time for Chairman and CEO Craig Dubow to do the right thing and resign. "This is not said with anger, nor because I'm on furlough,'' the author writes. "Whether it is his fault or not, with power comes responsibility. And the responsible thing to do is to step down."
Urgent: GCI 'suits' said in Tucson newsroom clash; 'Pretty ugly meeting that left everyone furious'
Updated at 3:15 p.m. ET: Adds fresh allegations that one of Corporate's representatives has been stationed at the newsroom to vet all news coverage about any pending sale of the newspaper; top Editor Jennifer Boice said reasserting her control of news report. Plus: News Department Vice President Kate Marymont's possible furlough, leaving the newsroom vulnerable.
I'm following an unfolding drama in what may be the final days of Arizona's oldest daily, the Tucson Citizen -- one a reliable tipster says began late Wednesday afternoon, with the unannounced and unwelcome arrival of two Corporate managers from McLean, Va.
Things may have grown worse as the evening wore on, my tipster says, relating a story about Corporate meddling in news coverage about Gannett itself -- a story worthy of comment from Gannett's chief publicist Tara Connell. I wrote her with details early this morning. As I update this post, she has not acknowledged my e-mail.
Also worrisome: News Department Vice President Kate Marymont sent an auto-reply to my note this morning, suggesting she's on furlough, so is unreachable. Why is this going down when Marymont's off?
Editor said re-asserting authority
It appears at least one of the Corporate managers will remain on-site for the duration, my tipster says, "most likely to babysit us all while the prospective buyers are in town. If she continues to interfere with the news, there's talk of a revolt, likely the blue flu, but I think that's all big talk, considering all that severance that'd be at risk."
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
I'm following an unfolding drama in what may be the final days of Arizona's oldest daily, the Tucson Citizen -- one a reliable tipster says began late Wednesday afternoon, with the unannounced and unwelcome arrival of two Corporate managers from McLean, Va.
Tensions were boiling already, over the limited reprieve Gannett extended March 17 to the paper's 60 newsroom-only employees. That was when two 11th-hour bidders emerged near the date GCI had threatened to shutter the 139-year-old afternoon paper: March 21.
News staffer speaks up
Soon after their 5 p.m. arrival Wednesday, my tipster says, Corporate's representatives called an employee meeting, even though perhaps just one-quarter of the staff was present. One Citizen staffer -- a woman -- asked why more notice was not given, so more employees could attend the meeting. One of the Corporate managers "dodged" that question, my tipster says.
News staffer speaks upSoon after their 5 p.m. arrival Wednesday, my tipster says, Corporate's representatives called an employee meeting, even though perhaps just one-quarter of the staff was present. One Citizen staffer -- a woman -- asked why more notice was not given, so more employees could attend the meeting. One of the Corporate managers "dodged" that question, my tipster says.
The questioning persisted, my tipster says, and a sharp exchange followed, where one manager "tried to interrupt her, and when he couldn't, he yelled at her. That made the natives restless. It was a pretty ugly meeting that left everyone furious."
Things may have grown worse as the evening wore on, my tipster says, relating a story about Corporate meddling in news coverage about Gannett itself -- a story worthy of comment from Gannett's chief publicist Tara Connell. I wrote her with details early this morning. As I update this post, she has not acknowledged my e-mail.
Also worrisome: News Department Vice President Kate Marymont sent an auto-reply to my note this morning, suggesting she's on furlough, so is unreachable. Why is this going down when Marymont's off?
Editor said re-asserting authority
It appears at least one of the Corporate managers will remain on-site for the duration, my tipster says, "most likely to babysit us all while the prospective buyers are in town. If she continues to interfere with the news, there's talk of a revolt, likely the blue flu, but I think that's all big talk, considering all that severance that'd be at risk."
That has led some Citizen staff to think the manager is there to make sure nothing unflattering to Gannett appears in print during the coming -- and perhaps, final -- days. I'm told Citizen top editor Jennifer Boice today reasserted her authority over the news report.
The Citizen is in a joint operating agreement with Lee Enterprises' Arizona Daily Star. The JOA handles circulation and other business functions. Gannett and Lee maintain separate, competing newsrooms. Gannett is offering to sell only the money-losing Citizen's name and customer list, with little else. It's not selling its stake in the JOA, including its profit stream. Those profits apparently would be more profitable with the Citizen gone.
Related: Newspaper division chief Bob Dickey delivers bad news to Citizen employees -- then heads to Palm Springs, Calif., for that now-infamous golf tournament
The Citizen is in a joint operating agreement with Lee Enterprises' Arizona Daily Star. The JOA handles circulation and other business functions. Gannett and Lee maintain separate, competing newsrooms. Gannett is offering to sell only the money-losing Citizen's name and customer list, with little else. It's not selling its stake in the JOA, including its profit stream. Those profits apparently would be more profitable with the Citizen gone.
Related: Newspaper division chief Bob Dickey delivers bad news to Citizen employees -- then heads to Palm Springs, Calif., for that now-infamous golf tournament
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
WUSA: The 'I quit' memo so many are talking about
Assignment desk editor Alan Henney of broadcasting division flagship WUSA-TV told colleagues in an e-mail on Wednesday that consultants and "out-of-touch corporate management have ruined the newscasts with repetitive Web clutter, endless sidebar packages, and their preoccupation with the Internet."Then, he hit the send key at 12:47 p.m. ET. Read what he wrote.
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