Sioux Falls, S.D.
When: Sept. 1-2.
Who: Dickey, plus West Group President and Des Moines Register Publisher Laura Hollingsworth, "and about 10 other folks from across disciplines."
Word for word from Publisher Randell Beck's memo: "Bob, Laura and the Corporate staff have tried hard in the past couple of years to get around to most Gannett markets, and I am excited they’ll be here to get a progress report and a snapshot of our challenges and opportunities. It’ll be a chance for us to tell them about the ‘Sioux Falls story’ -- how we are working effectively and successfully in this time of dramatic change. Certainly, in many ways, it’s a story they already know well. Bob was here several years ago, and learned a little about Sioux Falls. And this year, as the nation flirts with economic recovery, they’ve seen the numbers coming in each month that have placed Sioux Falls among the top performing sites of our size in the company. That’s something we can all be proud of."
When: Sept. 9
Who: Dickey, plus at least CEO Craig Dubow, President Gracia Martore, and Broadcasting Division President Dave Lougee
Word for word from Publisher John Zidich's memo, regarding a scheduled "Town Hall" meeting with employees: "Craig and Gracia have made it a priority to visit with employees to share their perspective on the business and provide all of us an opportunity to share thoughts and ask questions. The meeting will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center, tentatively scheduled from 2-3:30 pm. Bus transportation will be arranged from the bureaus. Final details will come in the weeks ahead including a system to RSVP your attendance."
Got a visit scheduled? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.
[Image: today's Arizona Republic, Newseum]
It's ironic, but the one place these execs never visit is USA Today, located in the same complex where they work. You think they might walk over from time to time to see what is going on, but I guess they are not at all curious what is going on. Funny, but as USAT runs into economic problems, it might be a good time to visit and give some sort of indication of what corporate thinks of USAT. The impression we get is not much.
ReplyDeleteWish they'd hit Brevard. We could use some early, well put together papers for a change without all the press and inserter stopages.
ReplyDeleteI've worked at USA Today for seven years and have never seen Dubow or Martore in the flesh, other than at shareholder meetings. I do, however, see their nice cars parked in prominent spaces next to the elevator. I don't really feel that I'm missing much.
ReplyDeleteUh, 2:13, USAT is not part of the community publishing division. So why would the community publishing execs have a need to visit? Especially when there are scores of newspapers that ARE part of the community publishing division that they haven't visited?
ReplyDeleteAt one of these sessions, will someone please ask them what they plan to do if the economy slips back into the recession, which it seems poised to do. They have already cut back to the bone and vital organs, so what now are the plans? If you get a response, we would certainly be interested in hearing it.
ReplyDeleteGreat, amidst all the downsizing, furloughs and consolidation, corporate decides to send its petty lords and their entourages on the company jet to pay a friendly visit to the corners of their kingdom. Isn't this what the monarchs of old did when it was time to inspect conquests and review the troops? How imperialistic can we get?
ReplyDeleteUh, 5:29, I think 2:13 was making a point about Dubow and Martore not visiting the USA Today complex at Tyson's corner, not the Gannett community newspaper heads visiting.
ReplyDeleteGood point about USCP visits not including USA Today. Clearly, different busineses. By the way, I've seen them in USAT tower on numerous occasions. They have also sat with people at lunch, not often, but from time to time.
ReplyDeleteLet's be fair here. I have seen them visit with my boss a couple times, and have also attended their sessions in the Aud. They are surprisingly around.
ReplyDeleteThe execs visit my building a lot! I am fine with what they have to say for the most part
ReplyDeletethey all suck. what a great job they have. fly around on the corporate jet and visit offices. Hey dipshits...HOW ABOUT VISITING CLIENTS!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHas Dubow or Martore EVER EVER EVER visited a client??????
Not that I know of and my company works with some of the biggest spenders across all media.
JIM,
You might want to do a spotlight on how many clients have Dubow and MArtore visited. Let's keep a list.
It is easy to just visit a bunch of sitting duck employees. How about getting in front of the people who pay your salaries!!!
Bitch about them visiting. Bitch about them not visiting. Bitch about them visiting these folks and not those folks. Bitch, bitch, bitch.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with the execs visiting the various sites. They should do it more often. It would really mean something if they were candid with the troops, and open to all questions regarding the company's future.
ReplyDeleteYou are missing the point. The execs hold these meetings with all the newspapers, except USA Today. What's wrong with us? Do we have bad breath?
ReplyDeleteHeh 10:21 any discussion that begins with "they all suck" pretty much tells us all we need to know about you. Grow up!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the difference is Dickey invited them, and Hunke didn't.
ReplyDeletewhy is Jim so silent today on the main page
ReplyDeletethey're both at USA Today all the time only disguised as Hunke
ReplyDeleteThey're coming to Phoenix?
ReplyDeleteOh, this is gonna be good.
Dickey and crew will be in Fort Collins Colorado the week of August 22nd.
ReplyDeleteFolks,
ReplyDeleteI’m very pleased to announce that The Desert Sun will host some special visitors from our corporate headquarters. Chairman and CEO Craig Dubow and President and COO Gracia Martore will visit Palm Springs the morning of Sept. 9. U.S. Community Publishing President Bob Dickey also will be here. They will host an employee meeting to talk about Gannett’s strategy and answer your questions. That meeting is tentatively scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in the Community Room.
Craig and Gracia have been visiting many sites this year to talk with employees and hear highlights of the efforts in each market. We are fortunate to have them and to share the good work we have done. Your department directors will have more information as we get closer to the date, but I wanted to let you know so you can plan for this special visit.
Richard A. Ramhoff
President & Publisher, The Desert Sun
750 N. Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs CA 92262
(760) 778-4501
www.mydesert.com