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| Riddle |
Griffin is vice president of national advertising for Philadelphia Media Network Inc., the parent company of the Inquirer, the Daily News and philly.com, according to a statement by Corporate.
Riddle, 60, is also president of the East Group of newspapers, a portfolio of 18 titles including those in New Jersey and New York, The News Journal said in its story on his retirement. Corporate's statement doesn't disclose Riddle's successor in that high-profile job.
Bigger management shift?
Riddle has been with GCI since 1982. His departure follows recent speculation on Gannett Blog about a large management shake-up set for the U.S. community newspaper division as early as this month. Today's announcement follows a round of newspaper layoffs that eliminated nearly 250 jobs during the past two weeks.
Riddle, who is African-American, is among GCI's highest-ranking minority executives, and one of the most senior in the newspaper industry. His retirement comes after GCI just laid off two other high-ranking African-Americans: the managing editors at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., and The Times at Shreveport, La.
Historically, GCI has led the media industry in hiring and promoting minority employees.
Related: The News Journal's Riddle story
What other shoes are about to drop? 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.
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ReplyDeleteBesides HR jobs (6 i think) at the Crystal Palace, were there any other layoffs or retirements? Ay other Corp Exec's going away?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't Gracia be the highest ranking minority?
ReplyDelete2:17 p.m.: Huh?
ReplyDelete"Riddle ... is GCI's highest-ranking minority executive"
ReplyDeleteI believe Gracia Matore outranks/ed him?
Alright: I've qualified that until someone can provide more details.
ReplyDeleteAre there any high ranking minorities in Gannett Broadcast? The last to go was Russell Postell.
ReplyDelete2:22, Martore is non Hispanic; she's Italian.
ReplyDeleteI believe she married a man with an Italian-sounding surname.
ReplyDeleteWhatever.
ReplyDeleteGCI now refers to her as Gracia C. Martore. At one time, she was Gracia Mangano Martore.
ReplyDeleteSo women are no longer considered minorities?
ReplyDeleteNo, women are considered female. There are more human females in the U.S. than males. Look it up.
ReplyDeleteThe last member of the operating committee that Knew how to run Newspapers.
ReplyDeleteAs a former reporter under Riddle, this is a loss for the company. He was a news man who supported the reporters and editors. Reporters didn't fear a story being run up the flagpole to Riddle. In fact, he would often times return it encouraging making biting or sensitive stories stronger instead of hedged more.
ReplyDeleteWhy does the coverage and discussion have to go to race? Frankly I am sick of this stuff. Who cares the color of riddle? Did he get to the various positions because he was qualified or because gannett had to fulfill some quotas? Enough already. I'm of Russian descent so will you report that a Russian American was laid off after decades with gannett?
ReplyDeleteAgree with other posters who recognize the loss this is. Yet another loss for GCI. The best are leaving or have left. Now, those who are left can continue to focus on greed.
ReplyDeleteCurtis was a great manager. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteI worked for Curtis for about 4yrs, he was one of the few standup publishers in this company! He is a huge loss.
ReplyDelete4:02 PM
ReplyDeleteI think that's an excellent question to ask Gannett.
Now we know My Boss is not connected. He/she was no where on this. They obviously get their info by listening to others in the know pontificate.
ReplyDeleteSo why doesn't Italian count as being a minority? (By the way, I think from her maiden name, she's actually of Sicilian ancestry. Italians seem make a big issue of this, although I must admit it makes no sense to Anglo me. Someone who I thought was of French ancestry once stressed to me that she was Norman, not French.).
ReplyDeleteIf being Italian counts as a minority, I've missed out on all sorts of bennies. My middle name is my immigrant maternal grandmother's maiden name: Marone. She passed through Ellis Island in 1911 from her mountaintop village east of Naples.
ReplyDeleteHeard the man that is taking over for Curtis was a hatchet man at The Daily Times. Was told many people were let go when he took over. Maybe that is why Curtis retired. He knows what Gannett is about to do - again.
ReplyDeleteCurrent non-editorial News Journal employee says:
ReplyDeleteWTF! are all you idiots babbling on about this race crap for! STFU.
Sorry. I needed to vent.
This is a very big deal for us in Wilmington. We new it was coming. I've stated so many times on this blog before. But have some respect people.
If you have something to say..... At least make it relevant. You have an entire building full of people freaking out about what's going to happen. And that's saying something. Because as we all know; we're kind of used to freaking out about what's going to happen.
I wonder if this means the East Group's headquarters is going to shift to the Asbury Park Press? It's been declared a page production hub, after all. That would elevate Press Publisher Tom Donovan to Group president from vice president.
ReplyDeleteJim, your thought about asbury becoming hq seems logical due to geographic location with respect to the other properties and fact that hub will be there. When bob Collins was around asbury was the center of the universe for most of the group.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Curtis Riddle was a stand-up guy, and from the comments appearing here others seem to agree. We can't afford to keep losing this kind of talent and leadership. Here's a publisher who actually participated in the news gathering piece, which after all is what we're selling. Have a great life Curtis, you will be missed.
ReplyDeleteCurtis Riddle will definitely be missed in Wilmington. He was a great man to work for and he understood news. He took risks to get good stuff in the paper and he let his employees work without hovering and meddling. I have nothing but respect for him and his leadership style. He deserves a great retirement and I hope he enjoys it.
ReplyDeleteCurtis got a standing ovation from staffers at the meeting this afternoon. Two standing ovations, in fact. Wish there were many more like him in our business.
ReplyDeleteYour HQ guesses are cold, very cold. This really proves My Boss is not connected. Be prepared to be shocked.
ReplyDeleteThe new East Group publisher won't be in Wilmington. The odds on favorite is APP. Griffin is there for one reason only. That's to whip one of the last promising porperties into shape.
ReplyDeleteSome changes will be good for you, and others not. Know this Wilmington. There will be change.
5:56 a.m.: I don't believe My Boss has weighed in on this yet.
ReplyDeletethere is no better,mentor, boss or newspaper person than curtis riddle, have a great rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteGannett is trying to discredit “My Boss” but as you stated Jim, he knows things that effect the broader group of Gannett rather then just one item. He/she has been right on all these years, and your loyal posters know this to do true. It's just the Gannett trolls, who will soon be laid off, that will understand the broader ramifications of what is happening behind the scenes. Once again, Gannett, we are not stupid and we know what you are doing. We are also watching every move you make.
ReplyDeleteW.Curtis Riddle epitomizes class. He's a great guy, a wonderful publisher and great to work for. Classy. Smart. A true gentleman.
ReplyDeleteMy Boss hasn't weighed in..... Because My Boss didn't know about it. Way to specific for him/her.
ReplyDeleteI have been honored to have worked with Mr. Riddle on a number of occasions over the years. While he was like my bosses bosses boss he treated me like an equal. After getting over the fact he'd actually listen to such an underling, i found that he'd actually have a discussion. It has been said before but Mr. Riddle is nothing but a great guy. World Class man.
ReplyDeleteI've seen more than a few executives leave the company. But I can't recall one who has gotten the praise heaped on Riddle. (I don't know the man.) Sounds like a great guy.
ReplyDeleteCurtis Riddle exemplifies what corporate executives should be. Fair. Honest. Empowering. I have not heard anyone say a bad word about him--even those who did not do well with his leadership style, and there have been some. Never have I had a better boss or mentor.
ReplyDelete