USA Today's advertising sales chief, Senior Vice President Gordon Lee Jones III, sent the following memo to employees yesterday.
From: Kupeski, Stacy On Behalf Of Jones, Lee
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 5:48 PM
To: USAT AD Virginia Staff; USAT AD Field Staff
Subject: Bruce Dewar
Good Afternoon,
In connection with the Advertising reorganization, Bruce Dewar's position, Vice President Advertising Operations and Administration for USA TODAY, has been eliminated effective Friday, August 20. Bruce joined USA TODAY in 1993, after having worked at various Gannett facilities, and over the years contributed to various projects and teams within Advertising and the company. During his tenure, Bruce also brought a positive customer focus to the department.
Join me in thanking Bruce for all of his efforts on behalf of USA TODAY and wishing Bruce well in his future endeavors.
Until future notice Bruce's direct reports will report directly to me. If you have any questions regarding finance, quota or commissions please refer them to David Johnson. Inquiries for production & positioning should be directed to Patrick Burke. All pricing and negotiations should go through Lori Erdos and Tony Hill for their respective territories.
I am aware that this is a very unsettling time for all, but we need to remain focused on our customers and the great brand we represent.
Sincerely,
Lee
Thursday, August 19, 2010
44 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I guess I don't see what the beef is. Jim, if you were in the position where you had to lay someone off to keep your biz afloat, you had a big organization, and you needed to say something, how would you do it? I get the feeling (perhaps I am wrong here) that your beef is that you are opposed to layoffs in general. From a boss's perspective, despite what many think, layoffs are horrible. No amazingly written memo is going to change that much. Your track record is that you would find fault with it regardless of what it said or how it was done.
ReplyDeleteIts not the memo its the way it was handled. Bruce Deward deserved better than this but Lee Jones is rarely ever seen by his staff and not responsive to advertisers unless he runs into them on a golf course.
ReplyDeleteI'm with 12:13. For the first time, it looks like this company is doing something right by laying off, firing or retiring executives. We've seen the rank and file decimated, but now they seem to have come around to the opinion that it's those directing the future of USA Today who are at fault. How many people on this blog have written about the bloated, do-nothing management at USA Today? They got rid of the workers who brought in the business, and now are discovering there is no business coming in.
ReplyDeleteFail. Total fail.
ReplyDeleteYeah, terrific memo.
ReplyDeleteProbably written by Narrative Science.
Revenge of the Zombies.
"Until future notice," Gordon Lee Jones III respectfully requests that you stay the hell away from him.
At least Bruce Dewar got a memo thanking him unlike many other employees who have been laid off.. as a previous poster said its about time the non productive leaders of USA TODAY who have lead the charge to the dismal place they are today were removed whilst there is still time to save a great brand...
ReplyDelete1:10:
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of executive dead wood is another thread entirely. For example, the top two editors at TJN could never come into the office again, and it would have absolutely no impact on the "product," except to throw their protected pals into a panic.
This thread is about a company without a soul.
Bruce was far, far from "do-nothing management." That guy was smart as hell and the glue of the Advertising department at USAT. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't know what the fuck they're talking about.
ReplyDeleteThe rude thing about the memo is the fact that it was sent out Wednesday, albeit late afternoon, and Bruce still had two more days of work. The memo makes it sound like he's already gone, especially this sentence: Until future notice Bruce's direct reports will report directly to me.
ReplyDelete"Until future notice Bruce's direct reports will report directly to me."
ReplyDeleteDirect reports may be correct but it hardly shows respect for Gannett's most valued resources, its people. One would think that a creative type would be able to convey this change with a little more respect and empathy for all involved. Apparently not.
Unintentional or not, "various" -- used twice! -- sounds dismissive, as though the author couldn't be bothered to be more specific.
ReplyDeleteWe're not all reporters, Jimbo. Though honestly most reporters can't right to save their lives/jobs.
ReplyDeleteJim, "various" is a code word used by Devil worshippers! The company just wants to be around until 2012!
ReplyDeleteI agree with 3:19. Dewar was damn smart and a damn hard worker. And he often led the charge for cooperation among all departments, including editorial. The other Ad VPs should be blessed with his dedication, innovativeness and professionalism. And Dewar, whose solid integrity was known throughout USAT, certainly derserved more recognition than he got in this memo from Lee Jones.
ReplyDeleteALL BRUCE'S REPORTS ARE BELONG TO US
ReplyDelete5:03pm: The "glue" of the advertising department...
ReplyDeleteWould that be Krazy Glue?
Bruce was smart and competent... among the best USA TODAY has ever seen. He took charge and got things done. We'll miss him. We didn't always love what he did, but he commanded our respect and was a very capable manager.
ReplyDeleteHe also worked at USA TODAY before 1993. I am not sure how they could get his hire date wrong, but that's par for the course these days.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Lee could not have written the note himself. Was that too small a job to have the e-mail come from him, or can he type?
ReplyDeleteDewar is a sharp guy. You can bet he'll find good opportunities outside of USAT.
ReplyDeleteThis move was not about cutting out dead-wood, it was about payroll dollars, as USAT has been doing for a couple of years now.
So who farted out this narrow-minded approach? Probly not Lee Jones The Third. Not his boss, either.
Any bets on USAT Finance group? Who else has the power to do so?
Who gives a flip. "Since 1993" is nothing. I watched many low paid, low level, hard working, long time, faithful employees kicked to the curb with nothing, not even a memo. 20, 25, 30 years - unlike in the past - no company wide party, no shrimp cocktail, no public handshake from the local company president, no farewell. People here mean nothing. Pick-ups from the corner labor pool. Remember that if you are hanging around because you think someone up there cares.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jim. He worked there for 17 years, for crying out loud.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Bruce Dewar, but from what other people have written here it sounds like he was a great manager. I hope he gets that message loud and clear - from the people with hearts still beating - before he leaves the building for good.
@1:12 AM
ReplyDeleteBruce provided Gannett with 26 years of service, 17 of which were at USA Today. That was rewarded with the note you see here.
He was treated a lot better than many workers who were booted a year ago.
ReplyDeleteAt The Journal News, the "exit interview" was over in a couple of minutes. It's amazing how the real incompetents - specifically the top editorial management - were immune to similar treatment.
What goes around, comes around. He got what he deserved.
ReplyDeleteHas Lee taken the sales team to new heights? Is he still a "great fit for our growing brand?"
ReplyDeleteGordon Lee Jones Named Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales for USA TODAY
February 13, 2010
Gordon Lee Jones III has been named senior vice president of advertising sales for USA TODAY. Jones will be responsible for overseeing all advertising sales at USA TODAY. The announcement was made today by USA TODAY president and publisher David L. Hunke. Jones replaces Brett Wilson, who resigned late last year.
"We are excited about the experience that Lee brings to USA TODAY. His exceptional leadership skills will take our sales team to new heights in 2010 and beyond. He's a great fit for our growing brand," said Dave Hunke.
Jones joins USA TODAY with noted sales and publishing experience. Prior to being senior vice president, sales and marketing for all platforms of the Newsday Media Group/Cablevision, Jones also held the post of senior vice president, national sales for print and digital, with the Tribune Company. While with the Tribune Company, he was responsible for the sales and support team; managed its internal national rep firm, Tribune Media Net; and launched both the direct response sales group as well as the Major Metro Media Group.
Jones' previous experience includes senior vice president, group publisher of both Inc. Magazine and Fast Company for G+J Publishing, USA, Inc.; senior vice president, group publisher of Ziff Davis Publishing's Smart Business and PC Computing magazines; and, senior vice president, group publisher for Entrepreneur, Business Start-ups and Entrepreneur 500 publications for Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
Jones is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Marketing & Finance. Pitching right handed, he posted an 8-12 record as a single A baseball player for the California Angels farm system in the early 80s striking out 96 batters.
Well it is funny. No one here can be happy.
ReplyDeleteNo one really knows what kind of a manager Bruce was. Good, bad - I sure don't know. He is a nice guy.
No one here knows what kind of a deal Bruce received. He may have walked away smiling like Jim did a few years ago.
I do think one of the posters was right: Jim doesn't like layoffs of any kind. For a former Money editor that sure doesn't seem to jive with business reporting and understanding of business.
B.A. in Marketing and Finance?? Where is the MBA? Does Gannett not care about master degrees for it's senior leadership? Jim, can you find out the educational background of Gannett leadership? No wonder this company is falling apart, they dont value education.
ReplyDeleteI like the last graf. Was that really in the press release?
ReplyDeleteGordon Lee Jones III or better known as Thurston Howell the third from Gilligan's Island is a pathetic joke. He was interviewed by one person, Dave Hunke, then he was offered the job.
ReplyDeleteTotally unqualified Greenwich CT snob. He will be removed soon enough. Hunke clings onto people like Gordy and Ruddy and Susie and then Gracy Martore tells him to throw them out. At which time, he kittens like a golden retriever and does what he is told.
To 1:13 am:
ReplyDeleteWould you have the nads to do any differently to protect your salary? What a bunch of bluster.
To 7:pm, how narrow-minded this appears. Do you honestly believe educational credentials guarantee competence, innovation or success? How many credentialed morons are in charge now? Think Bill Gates (no degrees) the next time you're inclined to suggest that a gaggle of MBA's is the panacea for what ails Gannett.
ReplyDelete2:05 am. Oh come on. The majority of businesses around the world are run by degreed leaders. No one said guarantee, only you. And tell us, how would it hurt Gannett to have some better educated people at the top?
ReplyDeleteAnd I suppose you'd prefer a self-taught surgeon as well. There is a big difference between "narrow minded" and logical, might want to educate yourself on that.
I have to agree, 8:29 a.m. While education is not a guarantee of future performance, an MBA is a routine requirement within a few years of entering a business position.
ReplyDeleteWhat Gannett needs more than anything is creative thinking at the top instead of the institutional ass-kissing program that has been employed for so long.
The company needs management that's not so insecure that it only recognizes affirmation. If a manager can't seriously consider criticism, he/she doesn't belong in the job.
A basic question: How will this ad department reorganization bring in more advertising dollars?
ReplyDeleteI wasn't suggesting an MBA doesn't provide some gravitas or that it isn't logical to assume that having an advanced degree affords an individual certain desired abilities and skill sets in many fields, be that business, art, music, etc. Mine was just a cautionary comment about absolutes and blanket assumptions.
ReplyDeleteJim, your question is right on point. And now with Dewar out of the picture, USAT will be even less able to communicate or develop non-spec advertising concepts... which, like the Jeep wraps, is what advertisers are looking for since it separates their products from the herd.
ReplyDeleteI worked with Bruce for 15 years and if there is a more capable, intelligent, and dedicated manager at USAT I have yet to meet them. His creativity and integrity were beyond reproach, I never felt undervalued or ignored the years that I reported to him.
ReplyDeleteThere are a great number of talented Sales Reps, Managers & Production/AdOps folks at USAT and other places that owe him a great deal. Now an ex-Gannettiod working for another Newspaper chain, I count him as one of the positive influences in my early career.
It breaks my heart to read this, he certainly deserves better, as do many, many other former Gannettoids.
Gordon lee Jones is the worst excuse for a manager I've ever seen. EMPTY SUIT!!!! Hope he goes with the big layoffs coming. all the good talent at USAT is already gone....they were smart and got out.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGordon is the worst executive that I have had the unfortunate privelage to work for. This letter simply shows off his inability to manage staff. Gordon constantly spends company money on "golf course" meeting and Sunday dinners with his family. He is a sorry excuse for a guy is a suit. Gordon, Lee, these companies are getting smarter and you will soon be absolute. Do the human race a favor and humble yourself.
ReplyDelete"you will soon be absolute"
ReplyDeleteJim, could you please start a "stupid comment of the day" feature? I nominate the comment above. I keep coming back here for the rare nugget of information. But WOW do you have to wade through a bunch of bullshit to find it.
OBVIOUSLY you knew what was meant by the above comment. Even you could figure that out. It's a funny thing knowing this got under your skin... taking the time to come up with that clever (sarcasm) little remark. Good for you. Pats on your head.
ReplyDeleteI believe the letter was extremely kind. There is much more to this story, regarding the escapades of Bruce Dewar, but he isn't worth anyone's time or attention.
ReplyDelete