She replaces another long-time Gannett employee: Thomas Bookstaver, who is retiring, effective Oct. 8. He has been with GCI for 37 years.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Springfield | Greiwe's promotion leaves a vacancy
Newspaper Network of Central Ohio President Linda Greiwe's promotion to publisher of Missouri's Springfield News-Leader was announced yesterday in a Corporate statement that didn't identify her replacement.
Greiwe (left), who has been with Gannett since 1987, also was named West Group vice president, with responsibility for the U.S. Community Publishing markets in Mountain Home, Ark.; St. Cloud, Minn., and Sioux Falls, S.D. Her new job is effective Oct. 11. [Updated at 10:05 a.m. ET on Sept. 30 to correct name of Arkansas city; it was incorrect in the original statement from Corporate, but I should have caught that first, since I'm a sorta former Arkie!]
She replaces another long-time Gannett employee: Thomas Bookstaver, who is retiring, effective Oct. 8. He has been with GCI for 37 years.
She replaces another long-time Gannett employee: Thomas Bookstaver, who is retiring, effective Oct. 8. He has been with GCI for 37 years.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Hubs | Reader: Job application notice 'infuriating'
A reader observes that Gannett has begun taking applications on this website for the News Design Center pagination hubs, which eventually will design and build pages for virtually all of Gannett's community newspapers.
"I thought this was interesting (and infuriating),'' they told me in an e-mail, "because we had been told all along that we would get more information in September (the month is almost over and still no more information) and also that we would be able to start applying for jobs at the design centers as soon as they were taking applications. Clearly, they are taking applications -- who knows for how long -- and we're still completely in the dark here."
"I thought this was interesting (and infuriating),'' they told me in an e-mail, "because we had been told all along that we would get more information in September (the month is almost over and still no more information) and also that we would be able to start applying for jobs at the design centers as soon as they were taking applications. Clearly, they are taking applications -- who knows for how long -- and we're still completely in the dark here."
Newsquest | Amid freeze, union seeks 5-8% raise
The request, to be submitted to management today, follows employees' 1,000 days at work without a pay raise, according to the National Union of Journalists, which represents scores of workers in Gannett's U.K. newspaper division: Newsquest.
The union also is protesting a proposed freeze of the Newsquest employee pension plan, according to a letter it delivered to GCI CEO Craig Dubow. "There is a grave danger that Newsquest's actions
now are storing up potential poverty in retirement for its most loyal employees,'' the letter says.
GCI froze its U.S. employee pension plan, effective August 2008.
Regarding the pay raise request, the NUJ says on its website: "Journalism in Newsquest is low paid: Annual pay freezes combined with increases in the cost of living means that NUJ members at Newsquest have had a pay cut in real terms."
Newsquest employs about 5,100 workers at 17 dailies and hundreds of weekly titles. GCI cut 23% of the division's jobs last year -- more than any other operating unit, according to regulatory filings. GCI bought the company in the summer of 1999 for about $1.5 billion.
The union also is protesting a proposed freeze of the Newsquest employee pension plan, according to a letter it delivered to GCI CEO Craig Dubow. "There is a grave danger that Newsquest's actions
now are storing up potential poverty in retirement for its most loyal employees,'' the letter says.
GCI froze its U.S. employee pension plan, effective August 2008.
Regarding the pay raise request, the NUJ says on its website: "Journalism in Newsquest is low paid: Annual pay freezes combined with increases in the cost of living means that NUJ members at Newsquest have had a pay cut in real terms."
Newsquest employs about 5,100 workers at 17 dailies and hundreds of weekly titles. GCI cut 23% of the division's jobs last year -- more than any other operating unit, according to regulatory filings. GCI bought the company in the summer of 1999 for about $1.5 billion.
GCI completes sale of $500M in senior notes
In a statement earlier today, Corporate said:
Gannett today announced the successful completion of its previously announced private placement offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% Senior Notes due 2015 and $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.125% Senior Notes due 2018.
The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facilities and term loan.
Gannett today announced the successful completion of its previously announced private placement offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% Senior Notes due 2015 and $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.125% Senior Notes due 2018.
The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facilities and term loan.
Indy | GCI settles union layoff lawsuit, memo says
Gannett agreed to pay a financial settlement to eight former Indianapolis Star employees represented by the Newspaper Guild in return for their dropping a lawsuit against the company, challenging their layoffs in July 2009, according to a memo cited by blogger Ruth Holladay. The dollar amount of the payments is being kept confidential, the memo dated Thursday says.
"The eight will not be rehired,'' the memo says, "but will receive a confidential financial settlement that the current slate of officers finds favorable. For those still employed here, the important victory was that the company will honor the terms of our collective bargaining agreement even after the contract expires Sept. 1, 2011. That's the contract that provides guaranteed severance, no outsourcing and so forth. That's a big deal with the threat of the Gannett hubs/layoffs looming in the future."
Holladay notes the unfortunate but not unusual terms of the settlement: that Corporate likely demanded the union keep the payment amounts a secret as part of the deal.
The Star workers were among at least 1,400 U.S. newspaper employees given their walking papers last summer. In total last year, GCI cut 4,500 jobs in the U.S. newspaper division, and 6,500 companywide.
"The eight will not be rehired,'' the memo says, "but will receive a confidential financial settlement that the current slate of officers finds favorable. For those still employed here, the important victory was that the company will honor the terms of our collective bargaining agreement even after the contract expires Sept. 1, 2011. That's the contract that provides guaranteed severance, no outsourcing and so forth. That's a big deal with the threat of the Gannett hubs/layoffs looming in the future."
Holladay notes the unfortunate but not unusual terms of the settlement: that Corporate likely demanded the union keep the payment amounts a secret as part of the deal.
The Star workers were among at least 1,400 U.S. newspaper employees given their walking papers last summer. In total last year, GCI cut 4,500 jobs in the U.S. newspaper division, and 6,500 companywide.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Week of Sept. 20-26 | Your News & Comments
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Saturday, September 25, 2010
Stock | Tracking GCI's 'disconnect' with indexes
[GCI fell below Dow Jones, S&P 500 indexes in July]
Gannett's stock closed yesterday at $12.34 a share, up 26 cents, or 2.2% -- pacing both the Dow Jones Industrial Average, up 1.9%, and the S&P 500 index, up 2.1%.Before markets closed, however, Anonymous@2:57 p.m took note of an important trend: "The GCI disconnect that began in July from the Dow Jones average is troubling. On a day when GCI should be popping, it has barely twitched."
Illustrating that point, the graphic, above, shows the year-to-date performance of GCI vs. the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 index. (Bigger, easier-to-read chart.) The arrow shows the point in about mid-July when GCI began trading below those two widely watched indexes, according to Google Finance data.
[Updated at 1:45 p.m. ET with more stock quotes.] So, year to date, GCI is now down 17%, while the Dow Jones average is up 4.1% and the S&P is up 3%. Other newspaper publisher stocks, with their YTD performance:
- E.W. Scripps: up 13.2%
- Lee: down 30.3%
- McClatchy: up 9.3%
- NYT: down 37%
CareerBuilder | Adecco cuts job sites budget
From a new Reuters story that appeared yesterday; I'm told that Adecco has been a very big spender on CareerBuilder, which is majority-owned by Gannett.
The U.S. arm of staffing giant Adecco SA has slashed spending on paid job boards like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com and instead drives applicants to its site from free job search engines and social media sites like LinkedIn, an executive said on Friday.
Adecco cut spending on paid sites by two-thirds between 2007 and 2009, from $6 million to $2 million, North American marketing chief Ed Blust told an analyst meeting.
The U.S. arm of staffing giant Adecco SA has slashed spending on paid job boards like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com and instead drives applicants to its site from free job search engines and social media sites like LinkedIn, an executive said on Friday.
Adecco cut spending on paid sites by two-thirds between 2007 and 2009, from $6 million to $2 million, North American marketing chief Ed Blust told an analyst meeting.
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Thursday, September 23, 2010
Blind Item | Gambling on a spouse's promotion
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.
[Photo: legendary gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. Blind item?]
Burlington | What's in a name? It's no longer, 'the'
Columnist Shay Totten of Vermont weekly Seven Days noted the following in a recent "Pure Politics" column:
The Burlington Free Press has been renamed Burlington Free Press. The tweaked logo appeared in last Thursday’s paper with no accompanying explanation.
Gone, too, is the Freep’s front-page tagline, “A Local Custom, Serving Vermont for 184 Years.” The slogan has been outsourced, er, replaced, by the paper’s website address.
Related: Today's Freep front page, from the Newseum
The Burlington Free Press has been renamed Burlington Free Press. The tweaked logo appeared in last Thursday’s paper with no accompanying explanation.
Gone, too, is the Freep’s front-page tagline, “A Local Custom, Serving Vermont for 184 Years.” The slogan has been outsourced, er, replaced, by the paper’s website address.
Related: Today's Freep front page, from the Newseum
USAT | Pioneering foreign news staffer leaving
USA Today Money reporter David Lynch is joining Bloomberg's Washington bureau, where he'll be an enterprise writer focusing on the intersection of politics and economics for both the wire service and its Businessweek magazine. He's at least the third high-profile USAT journalist whose departure has been disclosed this week, as Gannett's marquee daily undergoes a reorganization.
Lynch joined USAT 16 years ago from The Orange County Register, according to a memo to Money staffers this week. He opened the paper's London and Beijing bureaus, covered wars in Kosovo and Iraq, and reported from more than 50 countries. Lynch also was the first person from USAT to receive a Nieman Fellowship, the memo says.
Lynch joined USAT 16 years ago from The Orange County Register, according to a memo to Money staffers this week. He opened the paper's London and Beijing bureaus, covered wars in Kosovo and Iraq, and reported from more than 50 countries. Lynch also was the first person from USAT to receive a Nieman Fellowship, the memo says.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Urgent: GCI shares tumble 6% on debt news
Gannett's stock closed moments ago at $12.36, down 81 cents, or 6.2%, as Wall Street appeared to give a thumbs down to the company's plans to issue $500 million in new debt, plus its disclosure today that it had extended the maturity on a crucial revolving credit agreement.
GCI's drop also came after the New York Times Co. offered investors a less-than-rosy forecast this morning for its third-quarter earnings.
Newspaper publishing stocks overall ended the day lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 index both closed down far less than 1%.
Amid the investor reaction, Moody's credit rating service gave GCI's debt developments a positive reception. Also, Standard & Poor's rating service upgraded GCI's debt rating, as well.
GCI's stock has still outperformed the S&P 500 index over the past year, but its lead is growing more narrow. Shares are now up 22% from a year ago vs. 5.8% for the S&P. At one point earlier this year, however, GCI was up more than 400%.
GCI's drop also came after the New York Times Co. offered investors a less-than-rosy forecast this morning for its third-quarter earnings.
Newspaper publishing stocks overall ended the day lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 index both closed down far less than 1%.
Amid the investor reaction, Moody's credit rating service gave GCI's debt developments a positive reception. Also, Standard & Poor's rating service upgraded GCI's debt rating, as well.
GCI's stock has still outperformed the S&P 500 index over the past year, but its lead is growing more narrow. Shares are now up 22% from a year ago vs. 5.8% for the S&P. At one point earlier this year, however, GCI was up more than 400%.
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USAT | Senior editor Pruitt bolts for Yahoo News
Deputy Managing Editor Phil Pruitt is the latest USA Today news staffer to exit the paper, now in the midst of a reorganization.
Pruitt will work in Yahoo News' Washington, D.C., bureau, where he'll manage political and elections coverage in 2010 and in the run-up to the 2012 elections. "The move is part of Yahoo News' push to develop original content among its politics and opinion channels," according to Huffington Post.
Pruitt is following congressional and national politics correspondent Kathy Kiely, who is leaving to become managing editor of politics at the National Journal. Her departure was disclosed Monday.
Pruitt will work in Yahoo News' Washington, D.C., bureau, where he'll manage political and elections coverage in 2010 and in the run-up to the 2012 elections. "The move is part of Yahoo News' push to develop original content among its politics and opinion channels," according to Huffington Post.
Pruitt is following congressional and national politics correspondent Kathy Kiely, who is leaving to become managing editor of politics at the National Journal. Her departure was disclosed Monday.
Urgent: GCI offering $500M in corporate notes; investors react negatively: shares trading down 5%
[Updated at 3:52 p.m. ET: Moody's credit-rating agency has given its blessing to this new debt offering, according to Editor & Publisher.]
[Updated at 10:30 a.m. ET: Wall Street doesn't like this latest move. Investors are pummeling GCI shares: They've recently traded for $12.47, down 70 cents, or 5.3%.]
Word for word from a statement Gannett just disclosed:
Gannett today announced that it intends to offer $250 million of senior notes due 2015 and $250 million of senior notes due 2018 in a private offering to "qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act, subject to market and other conditions. The notes will be guaranteed on a senior basis by the subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee its revolving credit facilities and term loan.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facilities and term loan.
In a separate statement, GCI said:
Gannett today announced that it has received signed commitments from the required lenders to extend the maturity date of its existing revolving credit agreements from March 15, 2012 to September 30, 2014. The company expects total commitments under the amended revolving credit agreements to be $1.63 billion through March 15, 2012, and total extended commitments from March 15, 2012 to September 30, 2014 to be $1.14 billion. The amended revolving credit agreements will continue to be guaranteed by all of its subsidiaries that guarantee the obligations under its existing revolving credit agreements, term loan agreement and certain of its notes. Entering into the amended revolving credit agreements is subject to completion of final documentation. The company also announced that it recently amended its existing revolving credit agreements and term loan agreement to permit the issuance of up to $750 million of additional indebtedness guaranteed by its subsidiary guarantors.
"We are pleased with the response from our lenders and their confidence in us. Successfully amending and extending the maturity date on our revolving credit facilities provides us with significant financial flexibility as we continue to position Gannett for the future," said Gracia C. Martore, president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer. "We expect to close the amended credit facilities by the end of the month."
Related: Here's Dow Jones Newswire's story
Earlier: NYT Co. announces adjusted Q3 earnings
Finance pros, weigh in! 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.
[Updated at 10:30 a.m. ET: Wall Street doesn't like this latest move. Investors are pummeling GCI shares: They've recently traded for $12.47, down 70 cents, or 5.3%.]
Word for word from a statement Gannett just disclosed:
Gannett today announced that it intends to offer $250 million of senior notes due 2015 and $250 million of senior notes due 2018 in a private offering to "qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act, subject to market and other conditions. The notes will be guaranteed on a senior basis by the subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee its revolving credit facilities and term loan.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facilities and term loan.
In a separate statement, GCI said:
Gannett today announced that it has received signed commitments from the required lenders to extend the maturity date of its existing revolving credit agreements from March 15, 2012 to September 30, 2014. The company expects total commitments under the amended revolving credit agreements to be $1.63 billion through March 15, 2012, and total extended commitments from March 15, 2012 to September 30, 2014 to be $1.14 billion. The amended revolving credit agreements will continue to be guaranteed by all of its subsidiaries that guarantee the obligations under its existing revolving credit agreements, term loan agreement and certain of its notes. Entering into the amended revolving credit agreements is subject to completion of final documentation. The company also announced that it recently amended its existing revolving credit agreements and term loan agreement to permit the issuance of up to $750 million of additional indebtedness guaranteed by its subsidiary guarantors.
"We are pleased with the response from our lenders and their confidence in us. Successfully amending and extending the maturity date on our revolving credit facilities provides us with significant financial flexibility as we continue to position Gannett for the future," said Gracia C. Martore, president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer. "We expect to close the amended credit facilities by the end of the month."
Related: Here's Dow Jones Newswire's story
Earlier: NYT Co. announces adjusted Q3 earnings
Finance pros, weigh in! 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.
Earnings | NYT Co. discloses adjusted Q3 results
In an announcement that could reverberate across Gannett today, the New York Times Co. this morning predicted adjusted third-quarter earnings of 3 cents to 5 cents a share, a forecast that appears to be at the lower end of Wall Street's expectations, according to this MarketWatch story. Analysts polled by FactSet Research were looking for earnings of 5 cents a share, on average, the story says.
The Associated Press says, however, that analysts were expected earnings of 4 cents a share.
The publisher of The New York Times and more than a dozen regional newspapers said it expected digital advertising revenues would rise 14% from a year before. That would be a less-robust performance than what the company predicted in its second-quarter earnings release. In that statement, the NYT said digital advertising was expected to "trend in the mid to high teens."
Overall, the company said it expected third-quarter total revenues would decrease about 2% to 3%. Print advertising is forecast to fall about 5%, it said.
"The revenue outlook implies revenue of $553.5 million to $559.2 million," the AP says. "That is below analysts' average expectation of $563.8 million."
The NYT Co.'s statement, in advance of a presentation to the Goldman Sachs Communacopia XIX Conference, follows a steep drop in NYT stock yesterday after a UBS analyst issued a negative "sell" recommendation on its shares. The same analyst issued a less-negative "hold" rating on GCI's stock.
A review of Gannett's news releases shows GCI apparently does not plan to present at the Goldman Sachs conference.
The Associated Press says, however, that analysts were expected earnings of 4 cents a share.
The publisher of The New York Times and more than a dozen regional newspapers said it expected digital advertising revenues would rise 14% from a year before. That would be a less-robust performance than what the company predicted in its second-quarter earnings release. In that statement, the NYT said digital advertising was expected to "trend in the mid to high teens."
Overall, the company said it expected third-quarter total revenues would decrease about 2% to 3%. Print advertising is forecast to fall about 5%, it said.
"The revenue outlook implies revenue of $553.5 million to $559.2 million," the AP says. "That is below analysts' average expectation of $563.8 million."
The NYT Co.'s statement, in advance of a presentation to the Goldman Sachs Communacopia XIX Conference, follows a steep drop in NYT stock yesterday after a UBS analyst issued a negative "sell" recommendation on its shares. The same analyst issued a less-negative "hold" rating on GCI's stock.
A review of Gannett's news releases shows GCI apparently does not plan to present at the Goldman Sachs conference.
Dirty Biz | In outsourced cleaning, cost cutting
I'm told The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., is the latest worksite to shave costs from its budget by eliminating janitorial jobs -- in this case, three, all by the end of the month. An outside company is picking up the work, according to my tipster.
There was a similar move at two East Coast newspapers in late August, a reader said at the time: "I was just told this morning that the last full-time janitors . . . are being laid off. There will be one floating F-T maintenance man between the two facilities."
Earlier: When cleaning falls victim to budget cuts
There was a similar move at two East Coast newspapers in late August, a reader said at the time: "I was just told this morning that the last full-time janitors . . . are being laid off. There will be one floating F-T maintenance man between the two facilities."
Earlier: When cleaning falls victim to budget cuts
Documents hint at possible Dubow retirement; could next birthday trigger $19 million payout?
Diving deep into legalese, my reader cites this document in believing Dubow must wait until he turns 56. I believe he became eligible when he turned 55 last year. The reader's key comment is here. And my latest reply is here.
Why are we discussing it now? Dubow's next birthday is Oct. 26, when he turns 56. And there's growing speculation that he'll quit after that point. His most likely successor is Gracia Martore, named president and chief operating officer on Feb. 1.
Earlier: Dubow and Martore could receive millions, simply for walking away
Legal beagles, join our discussion! 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.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Stock | GCI dips on analyst's new 'hold' rating
Gannett's stock closed at $13.17 a share today, down 33 cents, or 2.4%, after a UBS media stock analyst began tracking GCI, and rated it a discouraging "hold."
In a note to investors today, according to trade publication Editor & Publisher, analyst John Janedis issued an even more negative "sell'' rating on shares of the New York Times Co. NYT closed at $7.97 a share, down 47 cents, or 5.6%.
"We think the cyclical recovery in newspaper advertising has somewhat obscured the reality that in a more normalized ad environment, newspapers will still witness declines in ad growth," Janedis wrote, according to E&P's report.
Earlier in the day, GCI traded as low as $12.98 a share. Based on today's closing price, it's up 35.2% from a year ago vs. a smaller 7.1% gain in the S&P 500 index, according to Google Finance. Over the past 52 weeks, GCI has traded as low as $9.16 and as high as $19.69.
Earlier: As GCI tumbles, a growing squeeze on "comps"
In a note to investors today, according to trade publication Editor & Publisher, analyst John Janedis issued an even more negative "sell'' rating on shares of the New York Times Co. NYT closed at $7.97 a share, down 47 cents, or 5.6%.
"We think the cyclical recovery in newspaper advertising has somewhat obscured the reality that in a more normalized ad environment, newspapers will still witness declines in ad growth," Janedis wrote, according to E&P's report.
Earlier in the day, GCI traded as low as $12.98 a share. Based on today's closing price, it's up 35.2% from a year ago vs. a smaller 7.1% gain in the S&P 500 index, according to Google Finance. Over the past 52 weeks, GCI has traded as low as $9.16 and as high as $19.69.
Earlier: As GCI tumbles, a growing squeeze on "comps"
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Salinas | 15 staffers lose jobs as printing shifts
The 139-year-old Salinas Californian has moved production to a non-Gannett paper in San Jose, Calif., in a change that eliminates nine full-time and six part-time jobs, and follows similar consolidations across GCI. It also moves USA Today's printing to the new site.
The shift about 60 miles north apparently took place two days ago, according to a Californian story that first disclosed the new arrangement earlier this month. A Gannett Blogger alerted us to the change in a comment yesterday.
In its story, the paper said General Manager Terry Feinberg had "pointed to the faltering economy and aging production equipment — in need of costly repair or replacement — in the decision to outsource printing."
[Updated at 6:12 a.m. ET on Sept. 22: Feinberg told Editor & Publisher that San Jose's Southwest Offset Printing, which got the contract to print the Californian, "ended up making offers to five of our guys, and three of them accepted."]
The move follows speculation in May that the paper was on the verge of shifting to a bi-weekly printing schedule.
The paper is one of the smallest of Gannett's 82 U.S. dailies. It circulates 10,791 copies on weekdays, and 13,100 on Saturdays, according to ABC data as of March 31. It doesn't publish on Sundays, according to ABC.
The Californian is a descendent of the Salinas Index, first published March 31, 1871, and so has a storied past. John Steinbeck, a Salinas native, first was published in the Index sometime before 1920.
[Image: yesterday's front page, Newseum]
In its story, the paper said General Manager Terry Feinberg had "pointed to the faltering economy and aging production equipment — in need of costly repair or replacement — in the decision to outsource printing."
[Updated at 6:12 a.m. ET on Sept. 22: Feinberg told Editor & Publisher that San Jose's Southwest Offset Printing, which got the contract to print the Californian, "ended up making offers to five of our guys, and three of them accepted."]
The move follows speculation in May that the paper was on the verge of shifting to a bi-weekly printing schedule.
The paper is one of the smallest of Gannett's 82 U.S. dailies. It circulates 10,791 copies on weekdays, and 13,100 on Saturdays, according to ABC data as of March 31. It doesn't publish on Sundays, according to ABC.
The Californian is a descendent of the Salinas Index, first published March 31, 1871, and so has a storied past. John Steinbeck, a Salinas native, first was published in the Index sometime before 1920.
[Image: yesterday's front page, Newseum]
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Monday, September 20, 2010
USA Today's Kiely heading to National Journal
Among journalists now pulling up stakes at USAT, add congressional and national politics correspondent Kathy Kiely. She's been at the paper since 1998. Kiely will be National Journal's managing editor for politics, the publication says in a statement today. Her departure comes as USAT draws closer to announcing more details of a pending reorganization.
NYT: Jobless over 50 fear never working again
From a new story in today's New York Times; it's part of the paper's series called "The New Poor."
Since the economic collapse, there are not enough jobs being created for the population as a whole, much less for those in the twilight of their careers.
Of the 14.9 million unemployed, more than 2.2 million are 55 or older. Nearly half of them have been unemployed six months or longer, according to the Labor Department. The unemployment rate in the group — 7.3% — is at a record, more than double what it was at the beginning of the latest recession.
Former Gannettoids who bucked this trend, and found work in their 50s and older: How did you do it? What jobs did you get? 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.
Of the 14.9 million unemployed, more than 2.2 million are 55 or older. Nearly half of them have been unemployed six months or longer, according to the Labor Department. The unemployment rate in the group — 7.3% — is at a record, more than double what it was at the beginning of the latest recession.
Former Gannettoids who bucked this trend, and found work in their 50s and older: How did you do it? What jobs did you get? 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.
Pop Quiz | Name USAT's top ad revenue loss
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Week of Sept. 13-19 | Your News & Comments
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Shreveport's new press will likely be one of the last
"The days of big iron are over."
-- Anonymous@7:37 p.m., commenting on plans for The Times of Shreveport, La., to inaugurate a new $16 million press, allowing the paper to shift to a Berliner format, effective Sept. 27.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
By the numbers | High-profile job vacancies
229
(has been Gracia Martore)
164
(was Chris Saridakis)
162
(was Andy Ellenthal)
1
(was Sang Kim)
Got one that I missed? Post 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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- Reader donations: $456
- Advertising: $1,281
I'm trying to earn $4,000 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.
Friday, September 17, 2010
PointRoll | Ripple6 unit CEO Kim appears gone
Several Gannett Blog readers noted Kim's absence earlier today. I've asked Ripple6 for comment.
Kim's departure would add to worries that key parts of Gannett Digital's operations are unraveling in the absence of a chief digital officer. Chris Saridakis left that post at the end of April, and has not been replaced.
Gannett bought the social media consumer tracker in November 2008. The deal was controversial because it involved buying out the 10% stake owned by Saridakis. Gannett said, however, that the purchase was made without his involvement.
Sponsors | Thank you, to another N.Y. supporter!
I'm trying to earn $4,000 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.
Sponsors | Thank you, new Florida supporter!
I'm trying to earn $4,000 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.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Indianapolis Star is latest to launch new website
Here's The Indianapolis Star's new homepage format in a just-taken screenshot . . .
New look
. . . compared with a screenshot of the old design, still used by the rest of Gannett's 81 community newspapers:
Old look
Tip: Click on either screenshot for a bigger view.
Am I missing something? I've now searched the homepage twice, but can't find an editor's note, acknowledging and explaining what surely is a change for readers in the site's suddenly unfamiliar appearance. [Updated at 2:02 p.m. ET: The Star is soliciting reaction from readers on the paper's Facebook page.]
The Star is the second daily to adopt the new site format, which was the subject of months of work that (reportedly) cost millions of dollars, under an effort code-named "Project Odyssey." A version of this redesign is apparently headed for other Gannett papers.
Can please someone provide a schedule of other launch dates? 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.
New look
. . . compared with a screenshot of the old design
Old look
Tip: Click on either screenshot for a bigger view.
Am I missing something? I've now searched the homepage twice, but can't find an editor's note, acknowledging and explaining what surely is a change for readers in the site's suddenly unfamiliar appearance. [Updated at 2:02 p.m. ET: The Star is soliciting reaction from readers on the paper's Facebook page.]
The Star is the second daily to adopt the new site format, which was the subject of months of work that (reportedly) cost millions of dollars, under an effort code-named "Project Odyssey." A version of this redesign is apparently headed for other Gannett papers.
Can please someone provide a schedule of other launch dates? 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.
Hubs | Marymont said providing latest details
Regarding the five newspaper page design and production hubs, Anonymous@7:34 p.m. describes a meeting yesterday between the head of Gannett's News Department and editors of the New Jersey papers:
Kate Marymont met with tie-wearing editors of N.J. papers today, then with copy editors, designers and paginators at the Asbury Park Press. Although still corporately fuzzy on many of the details, she cleared up some things about the new "hubs" -- now called design centers or design studios -- they haven't made up their minds about the name.
Marymount said that, last week, editor-types, managers and tech squads met in D.C. to talk about the hubs, and that this week, designers were meeting and that there were two models at which Gannett was looking for each of the five hubs. One would have a chief operating officer/manager/head honcho from the editorial/management/production side, and immediately under this person would be the creative director. The other model would have the creative editor on top, with the managing editor underneath.
The hub itself would be divided into groups, corresponding to a newspaper or group of newspapers or a group of tasks. Each group would have a head person, followed in descending order by designers and paginators.
Except for high-end glossy magazines -- she said there were about 10 nationwide in Gannett -- niche publications such as associated weeklies and special sections would be handled by the hubs in the same way as the dailies. (Only 78 papers are included in the hubs -- Detroit, USA Today and Guam are excluded).
Employees will have to apply for jobs in the hubs. Depending on how it is handled locally, copy editors may face the same issue. Regarding the hubs, Marymount was asked whether Gannett employees would be given precedence in the hiring procedures. Her answer: "Not necessarily."
She said that the hubs would be part of Gannett, but not part of their host newspapers.
She said that it was expected that equipment would begin installation at Asbury by the beginning of 2011, with rollout of hub operations in the spring, starting with Asbury, East Brunswick, Somerville and Parsippany.
She was a bit more hazy on when the recruitment (her word), interviewing and hiring of the hub leaders would take place, although she said she was currently involved in writing job descriptions.
That's all I remember. Sorry if my memory isn't as complete as it should be or if I have misunderstood anything Marymount said. Feel free, colleagues, to pitch in and have at it.
What can you add to this excellent report? 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: yesterday's Asbury Park Press, Newseum]
Kate Marymont met with tie-wearing editors of N.J. papers today, then with copy editors, designers and paginators at the Asbury Park Press. Although still corporately fuzzy on many of the details, she cleared up some things about the new "hubs" -- now called design centers or design studios -- they haven't made up their minds about the name.
The hub itself would be divided into groups, corresponding to a newspaper or group of newspapers or a group of tasks. Each group would have a head person, followed in descending order by designers and paginators.
Except for high-end glossy magazines -- she said there were about 10 nationwide in Gannett -- niche publications such as associated weeklies and special sections would be handled by the hubs in the same way as the dailies. (Only 78 papers are included in the hubs -- Detroit, USA Today and Guam are excluded).
Employees will have to apply for jobs in the hubs. Depending on how it is handled locally, copy editors may face the same issue. Regarding the hubs, Marymount was asked whether Gannett employees would be given precedence in the hiring procedures. Her answer: "Not necessarily."
She said that the hubs would be part of Gannett, but not part of their host newspapers.
She said that it was expected that equipment would begin installation at Asbury by the beginning of 2011, with rollout of hub operations in the spring, starting with Asbury, East Brunswick, Somerville and Parsippany.
She was a bit more hazy on when the recruitment (her word), interviewing and hiring of the hub leaders would take place, although she said she was currently involved in writing job descriptions.
That's all I remember. Sorry if my memory isn't as complete as it should be or if I have misunderstood anything Marymount said. Feel free, colleagues, to pitch in and have at it.
What can you add to this excellent report? 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: yesterday's Asbury Park Press, Newseum]
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Comparing Newark's new, old website designs
Ohio's small Newark Advocate is the first of Gannett's 81 U.S. community newspapers to unveil a new design for its website, a look that could come to the rest of the chain's papers. The Indianapolis Star reportedly is next to adopt the design, switching as early as tomorrow.
Following are screenshots of the Advocate's new homepage, followed by one showing the older version, still in use by most GCI dailies. Gannett Bloggers offer initial critiques in yesterday's first post on the change. Tip: Click on either screenshot for bigger views.
New look
Old look
The Advocate reports circulation of 13,317 Monday through Friday, and 15,965 on Sunday, according to the latest ABC figures.
Following are screenshots of the Advocate's new homepage, followed by one showing the older version, still in use by most GCI dailies. Gannett Bloggers offer initial critiques in yesterday's first post on the change. Tip: Click on either screenshot for bigger views.
New look
Old look
The Advocate reports circulation of 13,317 Monday through Friday, and 15,965 on Sunday, according to the latest ABC figures.
Shreveport | New press paves way for redesign
In a recent column, Executive Editor Africa Price said the nearly $16 million project investment and makeover to a modified tabloid format will better serve readers and advertisers. "Our improved color reproduction, sophisticated redesign and content treasures will enhance your overall experience with the paper,'' she told readers.
Shreveport's Berliner will be the third in the United States and the second within Gannett. It was modified in The Netherlands, and the first pieces began arriving in Shreveport in April. Its installation comes when Gannett has been shuttering presses and consolidating printing at other Gannett papers or at non-Gannett production plants.
Price says the new format will be accompanied by expanded sports, business news, and opinion coverage.
The Times reports circulation of 44,067 Monday through Saturday, and 55,844 on Sunday, according to the latest ABC figures.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Urgent: GCI unveils new newspaper site design
Ohio's Newark Advocate appears to be the first of the U.S. community newspapers to launch what immediately looks like a cleaner, less cluttered website design. The new template released today is part of a months-long redesign effort code-named "Project Odyssey." Next up, according to Gannett Blog readers: The Indianapolis Star, on Thursday. A version of this design could eventually get installed at all of Gannett's other 80 U.S. community papers.
Related: Advocate Editor Michael Shearer on the changeover
Related: Advocate Editor Michael Shearer on the changeover
PointRoll | Saridakis hires ex-sales chief Harvey
Deann Harvey has been named chief sales officer for GSI Commerce's Global Marketing Services division, where former Gannett Chief Digital Officer Chris Saridakis is now CEO, the company announced today.
[Updated at 6:35 a.m. ET on Sept. 15 to clarify that Harvey's tenure at PointRoll ended last year.] Until April 2009, Harvey was senior vice president of global sales at PointRoll, Gannett's advertising services subsidiary. In that role, she oversaw global sales and marketing strategy, GSI's statement says.
Her new GSI post comes amid recent speculation that key PointRoll executives may leave the company following Saridakis' exit on April 30. He was named chief executive of GSI's marketing division two weeks before.
Her new GSI post comes amid recent speculation that key PointRoll executives may leave the company following Saridakis' exit on April 30. He was named chief executive of GSI's marketing division two weeks before.
Palm Springs | GCI reaches outside for new pub
Corporate has named a former MediaNews Group marketing and sales executive, Mark Winkler, as the new publisher of The Desert Sun in southern California's Palm Springs. He starts Sept. 27, and replaces Rich Ramhoff, whose departure was announced less than two weeks ago, after the paper reportedly missed advertising revenue targets.
In addition to running the Sun, Winkler will be a vice president in Gannett's regional West Group of newspapers, overseeing dailies in California's Visalia, Tulare, and Salinas, plus the U.S. territory of Guam.
Winkler, 50, was executive vice president, chief sales officer, and chief marketing officer for Denver-based MediaNews until March, when he left the company in a cost-saving shake-up after that newspaper publisher exited bankruptcy court, according to Westword.
MediaNews and Gannett are partners in the Detroit newspaper publishing business, as well as in a publishing partnership in California, Texas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.
He is the second publisher Gannett has hired from outside the company this year; in late May, a former Boston Globe advertising executive was named chief executive of The Montgomery Advertiser.
Prior to MediaNews, Winkler was chief operating officer for Capital Securities Real Estate, a global real estate investments fund, according to a Gannett statement. From 2000-2006, he was a division vice president/general manager for Comcast Communications and from 2004-2006 had oversight of corporate interactive and new sales technologies for Comcast. From 1997-2000, he was a western region vice president for Media One of Los Angeles, Calif.
Winkler is a cum laude graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, the statement says.
His LinkedIn profile
How Winkler summarizes his background on the job network website:
Visionary leader that guides expeditious results and imparts a proven track record in the media industry, with profound proficiency in management, including sales, marketing, operations, and financial administration and oversight. Recognized for driving over $1 billion in annual revenue for traditional and innovative advertising media such as national, regional, and local spot cable and broadcast, digital media (content driven portals, E-commerce sites, SEM and SEO solutions), addressable advertising, digital publishing, print, niche publications, mobile, and e-mail marketing. Vast product and people knowledge and results orientation in revenue goal achievement, maximizing capital, and establishing efficient process for multiple product sales, both B2B and B2C. Significant understanding of the sales and marketing process as it relates a variety of vertical markets and a diverse client base. Demonstrated talent building consensus, fostering a passion for excellence, and igniting a competitive will in others that anything is possible. Energized by opportunities to help teams crystallize visions and propel business initiatives to exceed goals. Recognized as a positive change agent, with the ability to overcome all barriers and obstacles to successful and enhanced outcomes.
Related: the Sun's story about Winkler's appointment
In addition to running the Sun, Winkler will be a vice president in Gannett's regional West Group of newspapers, overseeing dailies in California's Visalia, Tulare, and Salinas, plus the U.S. territory of Guam.
Winkler, 50, was executive vice president, chief sales officer, and chief marketing officer for Denver-based MediaNews until March, when he left the company in a cost-saving shake-up after that newspaper publisher exited bankruptcy court, according to Westword.
MediaNews and Gannett are partners in the Detroit newspaper publishing business, as well as in a publishing partnership in California, Texas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.
He is the second publisher Gannett has hired from outside the company this year; in late May, a former Boston Globe advertising executive was named chief executive of The Montgomery Advertiser.
Prior to MediaNews, Winkler was chief operating officer for Capital Securities Real Estate, a global real estate investments fund, according to a Gannett statement. From 2000-2006, he was a division vice president/general manager for Comcast Communications and from 2004-2006 had oversight of corporate interactive and new sales technologies for Comcast. From 1997-2000, he was a western region vice president for Media One of Los Angeles, Calif.
Winkler is a cum laude graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, the statement says.
His LinkedIn profile
How Winkler summarizes his background on the job network website:
Visionary leader that guides expeditious results and imparts a proven track record in the media industry, with profound proficiency in management, including sales, marketing, operations, and financial administration and oversight. Recognized for driving over $1 billion in annual revenue for traditional and innovative advertising media such as national, regional, and local spot cable and broadcast, digital media (content driven portals, E-commerce sites, SEM and SEO solutions), addressable advertising, digital publishing, print, niche publications, mobile, and e-mail marketing. Vast product and people knowledge and results orientation in revenue goal achievement, maximizing capital, and establishing efficient process for multiple product sales, both B2B and B2C. Significant understanding of the sales and marketing process as it relates a variety of vertical markets and a diverse client base. Demonstrated talent building consensus, fostering a passion for excellence, and igniting a competitive will in others that anything is possible. Energized by opportunities to help teams crystallize visions and propel business initiatives to exceed goals. Recognized as a positive change agent, with the ability to overcome all barriers and obstacles to successful and enhanced outcomes.
Related: the Sun's story about Winkler's appointment
Monday, September 13, 2010
Post-Saridakis, pointed questions about PointRoll
PointRoll's fans often say the advertising services subsidiary contributes an outsized share of Gannett's overall profits. So, what happens to the bottom line if CEO Jason Tafler were to join other senior managers in leaving the company in the months ahead?
That's the worrisome speculation among some PointRoll and Gannett Digital employees, a well-placed reader says. It follows former Gannett Chief Digital Officer Chris Saridakis' departure in late April, to join GSI Commerce as CEO of the e-commerce firm's marketing services division.
This speculation focuses on whether Tafler and the other execs are in line to get multimillion-dollar earn-out payments by year's end. Such installment payments presumably would be due under terms of the original 2005 deal governing Gannett's purchase of PointRoll. Once paid, the thinking goes, Tafler & Co. would have fewer incentives to stick around.
Saridakis himself collected a $4.6 million payment in 2008 when he sold his approximately 8% ownership stake in the company to GCI. Overall, paidContent has reported, Gannett paid about $100 million for the company; Gannett kept those details confidential when it announced the deal, however. Assuming paidContent is on target, that amount would be the single-largest investment I can recall since Gannett went on a newspaper buying spree in 1999-2000.
Speculation about PointRoll's management is apparently fueled by other issues as well. Gannett's overall digital strategy -- including PointRoll -- has been ill-defined since Saridakis disclosed plans to leave more than five months ago; Gannett has yet to announce his replacement.
Plus, Saridakis -- CEO of PointRoll when he was named chief digital officer in early 2008 -- remained close to the company and its executives during his two years as CDO. That's naturally led to handwringing that Tafler and others might follow Saridakis to GSI Commerce. (Indeed, PointRoll, in Conshohocken Pa., is just around the bend from GSI, in King of Prussia.)
Alternatively, the PointRoll executives could launch a start-up of their own, as did another Gannett digital executive, Kevin LeFew, earlier this year in forming online services start-up Digital Fulcrum.
Lately, Gannett is a company that appears to be struggling to execute on a big newspaper website development project, and the expansion of its high school sports network. Is that a company where talented, ambitious technology executives would feel at home?
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.
This speculation focuses on whether Tafler and the other execs are in line to get multimillion-dollar earn-out payments by year's end. Such installment payments presumably would be due under terms of the original 2005 deal governing Gannett's purchase of PointRoll. Once paid, the thinking goes, Tafler & Co. would have fewer incentives to stick around.
Saridakis himself collected a $4.6 million payment in 2008 when he sold his approximately 8% ownership stake in the company to GCI. Overall, paidContent has reported, Gannett paid about $100 million for the company; Gannett kept those details confidential when it announced the deal, however. Assuming paidContent is on target, that amount would be the single-largest investment I can recall since Gannett went on a newspaper buying spree in 1999-2000.
Speculation about PointRoll's management is apparently fueled by other issues as well. Gannett's overall digital strategy -- including PointRoll -- has been ill-defined since Saridakis disclosed plans to leave more than five months ago; Gannett has yet to announce his replacement.
Plus, Saridakis -- CEO of PointRoll when he was named chief digital officer in early 2008 -- remained close to the company and its executives during his two years as CDO. That's naturally led to handwringing that Tafler and others might follow Saridakis to GSI Commerce. (Indeed, PointRoll, in Conshohocken Pa., is just around the bend from GSI, in King of Prussia.)
Alternatively, the PointRoll executives could launch a start-up of their own, as did another Gannett digital executive, Kevin LeFew, earlier this year in forming online services start-up Digital Fulcrum.
Lately, Gannett is a company that appears to be struggling to execute on a big newspaper website development project, and the expansion of its high school sports network. Is that a company where talented, ambitious technology executives would feel at home?
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.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Is 'Project Odyssey' living up to its (code) name?
Merriam-Webster defines odyssey as "a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune.''
That, in a roundabout way, leads to my technology question du jour: What the heck is going on with "Project Odyssey," the code name for the planned redesign of the U.S. newspaper division's websites?
The last update I recall was a comment posted by Anonymous@5:26 p.m. in late April, which said: "It is in the early phases, but we will see parts of it rolling out by third quarter with a bulk of it by the end of the year."
Well, the third quarter ends in just 18 days, and I haven't seen any noticeably big changes to any of newspaper division's websites.
Meanwhile, I was told this weekend that the entire project may be in danger of getting shelved, perhaps because it had gone significantly over budget.
The redesign was championed by then-Chief Digital Officer Chris Saridakis, in remarks he made to Wall Street analysts on Dec. 9. "In 2010," he told them, "we will be embarking on a major redesign of our sites that will redefine what a local news site is and drive innovation for both our users and advertisers."
It's worth noting, of course, that Saridakis was one of the executives leading the project -- until, that is, he disclosed plans to quit Gannett. Some 159 days later, the company still hasn't hired his replacement.
Whither Project Odyssey? 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.
The last update I recall was a comment posted by Anonymous@5:26 p.m. in late April, which said: "It is in the early phases, but we will see parts of it rolling out by third quarter with a bulk of it by the end of the year."
Well, the third quarter ends in just 18 days, and I haven't seen any noticeably big changes to any of newspaper division's websites.
Meanwhile, I was told this weekend that the entire project may be in danger of getting shelved, perhaps because it had gone significantly over budget.
The redesign was championed by then-Chief Digital Officer Chris Saridakis, in remarks he made to Wall Street analysts on Dec. 9. "In 2010," he told them, "we will be embarking on a major redesign of our sites that will redefine what a local news site is and drive innovation for both our users and advertisers."
It's worth noting, of course, that Saridakis was one of the executives leading the project -- until, that is, he disclosed plans to quit Gannett. Some 159 days later, the company still hasn't hired his replacement.
Whither Project Odyssey? 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.
Week of Sept. 6-12 | 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.)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Milestones | What he said three years ago today
-- CEO Craig Dubow, in a Sept. 11, 2007, memo to employees, giving the clearest signal yet that Gannett was about to be turned upside down. GCI's stock closed that day at $45.57 a share; it closed yesterday at $13.30. I wrote about Dubow's memo that same day, and for the first time, started publishing Gannett Blog.
Earlier: Since 2007, Gannett has eliminated more than 11,000 jobs -- nearly one out of every four -- mostly through layoffs
Friday, September 10, 2010
Phoenix | Press operators picket meeting
Related: Read the leaflet union members distributed
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Phoenix | Tension amid today's Corporate visit
CEO Craig Dubow and other top dogs are scheduled to visit The Arizona Republic and KPNX-TV today, and I hear some employees may not be content with merely asking questions during a "Town Hall'' meeting this afternoon.
GCI won't join online copyright fight 'right now'
Copyright enforcement company Righthaven might have signed up the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette owner's, WEHCO, as a new client, but Gannett isn't planning to start suing non-profits, bloggers and politicians for reposting material, according to this Daily Online Examiner story.
"I don't think it's something we're going to pursue right now," GCI Senior Associate General Counsel Barbara Wall told a teleconference yesterday about whether copyright litigation could save the ailing newspaper industry.
"I don't think it's something we're going to pursue right now," GCI Senior Associate General Counsel Barbara Wall told a teleconference yesterday about whether copyright litigation could save the ailing newspaper industry.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Detroit | Employees organize against pay cuts
In an e-mail, a reader tells me the following:
Folks in Detroit would much appreciate it if you could help us spread the word about our fight against 12% pay cuts at the Gannett-owned Free Press, MediaNews Group's Detroit News and the Gannett-controlled Detroit Media Partnership.
We have a Facebook page we're hoping will drum up support.
Workers and supporters are wearing "No -12%" buttons. Negotiations are ongoing.
We have a Facebook page we're hoping will drum up support.
Workers and supporters are wearing "No -12%" buttons. Negotiations are ongoing.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
How Gannett's top newspaper now describes itself
"USA Today is a multi-platform news and information media company."
-- from the new boilerplate in an Aug. 10 news release, signaling a reorganization then in the works.
Earlier: GCI's evolving description of itself
Phoenix | Governor's son, paper in court fight
The Arizona Republic is battling Gov. Jan Brewer's mentally ill son over access to his criminal court file, which a judge unexpectedly sealed from public view just days before Brewer took office. Their fight pits an individual's right to privacy against the public's right to view government documents.
Blind Item | A spousal conflict of interest?
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.
[Photo: legendary gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. Blind item?]
Monday, September 06, 2010
Blogger: Why USAT declines spurred radical reorg
The Poynter Institute's well-regarded business blogger, Rick Edmonds, notes that USA Today's circulation has fallen 20% in less than two years. And the print advertising picture appears to be even grimmer.
"In last Monday's edition," Edmonds writes, "the Sports section had no ads and the Life section, a single quarter-page legal notice. In the entire paper I reviewed, there was one full-page ad for a Pepsi-Pizza Hut promotion, and a two-thirds page announcing the J.P.Morgan/Chase rebranding. The other odds and ends of fractional ads included what may have been a free ad on a TV cancer special and, in my edition, a quarter-page ad promoting the weather coverage on Gannett's Tampa-St. Pete station. Advertising volume builds through the week, but all three of the editions (Aug. 28, 30 and 31) I checked had multiple house ads -- a sign the sales department isn't bringing in enough business to plug the available positions."
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