Monday, January 10, 2011
Week Jan. 10-16 | Your News & Comments: Part 1
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52 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."
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My last day as a Gannett employee was Jan. 10, 2008 -- three years ago today -- when I was one of 43 USA Today editorial employees who got buyouts before a series of layoffs. But it feels like it was only yesterday.
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ReplyDelete9:53
ReplyDeleteI remember January of 2008 like it was yesterday.
A lot of hard working ,good, people got laid off
in the Community Newspapers group as well.
Pretty devestating to see long time co-workers being shown the door like they were less than
nothing to the company.
So, January of 2011 could see the same scenario
and a lot more hard working ,good people will be shown the door once again like they were nothing to the company.Do we all see the hand writing on the wall? How many times will this cycle repeat
itself and Gannett could give a damn less ?
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ReplyDelete10:18 -- Don't know if it will happen in January, but it's sure to happen again. I guess we'll all just have to wait and see when.
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ReplyDeleteIt appears USA Today has now ended its heavy promotion on the homepage of its Your Life "vertical," which it launched on a beta test basis in early November.
ReplyDeleteI have been a gannettoid for over 20 years. In thinking about what would happen should I get handed my hat.....i was wondering if anyone has any recent pension cash out experiences they could post? How long did it take to get your money?
ReplyDeleteIsn't today Carolyn Washburn's first day on the job as executive editor of The Cincinnati Enquirer?
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ReplyDeleteNJ papers are being decimated in major re-org.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Jim on your anniversary. Hopefully one day I can say the same thing!
ReplyDeleteYes, please, say more re NJ
ReplyDeleteDR, HNT, CN will lose roughly half newsroom (oh, excuse me, "information center" staff)
Everyone has to apply for jobs. 53 positions, 99 people. All interviews happening at Asbury. (Why don't they all have to apply? Oh, they're better than us.)
NO SEVERANCE, just some "transitional pay program."
Everyone's gone by Feb. 4, not even a month's notice.
What's left will be the three papers using regular Asbury news and focusing in on "topics" but screw local news (why people buy, or used to buy, the paper in the first place).
@ 1:56: Thanks for checking in, Craig. But shouldn't you be focused on cleaning up the mess you've created?
ReplyDeleteRE: N.J. reorg. This would explain the tip I got some weeks ago about copyediting being consolidated at Asbury Park.
ReplyDelete1/10/2011 1:22 PM - My 401(k) and pension roll-overs were seamless and took roughly 4-6 weeks after I left to receive my checks. I didn't really have any issues at all.
ReplyDeleteSomeone has told me that Craig Dubow and Gracia Martore, plus their three assistants, occupy the entire 11th floor of the Gannett Tower.
ReplyDeleteJim, regarding the copy editing consolidation at Asbury Park, that actually happened on May 4, 2009. Copy editors and paginators from the Home News Tribune and Courier News were given the option of relocating to the Asbury Park Press. Those who wished management positions had to re-apply. The same thing happened in the sports and art/graphics departments. So at that time, the copy desk and pagination desk for the Press became the copy/pagination desk for all three papers, including their weeklies and any niche publications. The addition of the Daily Record came a few months later. It was announced about a year ago, that Asbury also would take over the copy/pagination/art responsibilities for Vineland and Cherry Hill. But since the announcement of CCI Newsgate and the design studios, Vineland and Cherry Hill have gone on the back burner. One of the theories floating around is that when the Press, Home News, Courier News and Daily Record go live with CCI Newsgate, that's when the Press will also swallow up Cherry Hill's copy, etc. desks.
ReplyDeleteBut who knows?
All I can say is that the people in the newsroom at Asbury are shocked and saddened about the massive layoffs to the north. Asbury newsroom staffers appear to be safe, so far. But, again, who knows?
I also had no problems rolling over my pension and 401K into an annuity and an IRA. No sweat at all.
ReplyDeleteMany Gannett editors and other folks from the corporate staff will be attending a retirement party on Thursday for executive editors Tom Callinan of Cincinnati and Henry Freeman of Westchester. From a note News Department Vice President Kate Marymont sent several weeks ago:
ReplyDeleteFriends:
Tom Callinan and Henry Freeman deserve a raucous round of toasts as they retire.
I hope that many of you can join me for a party Thursday, Jan. 13, here in Tyson’s with Tom and Maureen Callinan and Henry and Margaret Freeman. The party is scheduled from 7 to 9:30 PM Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Marriott Crowne Plaza in Tyson’s Corner.
We negotiated a room rate of $104 to make it easier on your budgets, since this will be a personal expense.
All logistical details are spelled out below. Please note the deadlines for rooms and RSVPs.
Please share this invitation with others who you think might like to help us honor Tom and Henry. Remind others, though, to follow through on the details below so that we have a good idea of how many are coming.
With Tom and Henry to toast and roast, this is sure to be one helluva party.
We will provide the food at the reception. There will be a cash bar. You will need to cover your travel and lodging expenses.
Attendance is completely optional and no gifts are required. Bring all your favorite stories about these two colorful characters as we celebrate their retirements and say good-bye to two dear friends and colleagues.
3:05, you're right, that's what they do now with layoffs of "valued staff." Instead of severance, one receives a week's pay for every year of service. And one loses the remaining years' "transitional pay" one's earned by even that measurement upon re-employment. Pretty disgusting.
ReplyDeleteCorrection re: 6:13. I inadvertently deleted a line. The "week's pay" is with unemployment added; it's the difference between one's unemployment benefit and one's former weekly wages. So Gannett makes out here as well.
ReplyDeleteJim -- It requires that much space to contain their egos.
ReplyDeleteCan anybody provide a link to the NJ Employee Sharepoint site? I could see similar consolidation in my part of the country. Worried, worried, worried.
ReplyDeleteJim 4:55 that is an absolute lie. There is an entire new media/digital team on the 11th floor besides the leadership team. Wrong again good buddy. But nice try inflaming the masses. Don't let the truth stand between you and the facts. You can remove the post now.
ReplyDelete5:56 so what is your point? They shouldn't have a party to day good bye? Why so negative?
ReplyDeleteI echo 7:51's request. A lot of Gannettoids would probably like to see those new position descriptions and organizational chart.
ReplyDelete8:12 thanks Craig for the correction! It's as important as having a diagram of the deck chairs on the titanic.
ReplyDeleteNow...back to the country club!
8:12 This is why I source these comments.
ReplyDelete8:19 My post is informational only -- neither negative or positive.
ReplyDeleteJim just a point to ponder. Make sure you are claiming the money you are getting on your website. Sources say tax evasion on this blog could be good for some and bad for others.
ReplyDelete8:23 he made a statement that is untrue. If you embrace a lie so be it. I chose not to. Respect and dignity comrade!
ReplyDeleteIs that new media/digital team the 11G group (it may have another name) run by Michael Maness? I ask because I thought they were never there, which would mean Dubow and Martore do, indeed, have the floor to themselves.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, poor judgment begets a corporate decision that pisses off more people than it pleases.
ReplyDeleteNice tribute to Tom and Henry, no doubt, but what of the hundreds of other corporate discards who were dispatched with nary a potato chip or warm soda? Even some damned good publishers got the heave-ho-and-go treatment after decades of dedicated service.
It would have been so much better if Gannett had announced a gathering to honor any and all employees offed during the past two or three years through "no fault of their own."
Non-AA members could get drunk together and chortle about the good old days. Gannett HR could set up booths to help people with their early retirement plans, from the McCorkinale "I'm Rich!" program to a more basic "How to Deal with Bankruptcy" offering.
Buscapades could have been set up to bring in a diverse group of former Gannettoids to enjoy some uplifting, back-slapping jubilee.
Seriously, folks, don't ya feel like going just to cause discomfort for the hosts?
Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy you are working way to hard to prove two people have a floor to themselves. You walk out of the elevator, you turn right and then eight again and there is a whole team in an IDEO type setting. No doors on offices, wild art on the walls and wait for it......people who are not the Chairman and the President. Maybe My Boss could leave the digital floor and take a peek for you. Sorry but you have bad information, now you can remove the post because as we all know you are never wrong.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing about Gannett's impending roast of its two favorite firees: Before you book a flight to D.C. for the party, check with your publisher to make certain you are still employed. Layoffs are rumored, so better safe than sorry. Finding out at the party would put a frown on anybody's face, free food or not.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Tom and Henry will get rings for work they would have done if they'd stayed with the company.
I wish that Kate Marymont would show the same interest in saluting the true workers at Gannett newspapers who have been booted out the door so that those executives can continue to get their bonuses and host parties.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to tell stories about Henry M. Freeman watching Georgia Bulldogs football highlights 24/7 on youtube and scout.com during his arduous 10 am to 4 pm daily shift the last 8 years!
ReplyDelete"Someone has told me" counts as sourcing a comment?
ReplyDeleteJim, you are painted into the corner on this one, my friend. Keep trying to spin your way out, though.
To the person who asked for the Sharepoint link:
ReplyDelete1.Go to the Gannett NJMedia SharePoint site: Here is the link: http://sps.gannett.gci/areas/tad/njpm/default.aspx
2. You may be prompted to enter your log-in information. If you are, you should enter your network user name and password.
But please, don't apply for these jobs as there are many journalists with families who are needing to demean themselves by going through this shameful process to keep their salaries and health benefits.
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ReplyDeletehttp://comics.com/pearls_before_swine/?DateAfter=2011-01-09&DateBefore=2011-01-09&Order=&PerPage=1&x=5&y=9&Search=
ReplyDeleteSubstitute Gannett for the cable company and you have an understanding of people's frustrations.
1. The event for Callinan and Freeman is being held "off-site" at a local hotel in Tyson's (Crowne Plaza) as Gracia Martore and Craig Dubow vetoed the request by Dickey and Maramount to host the party "on-site" in the Gannett HQ.
ReplyDeleteTypically, for a real thankful salute, similar to SCJ, the First Amendment room is used for executives and other corporate managers. Apparently, both Freeman and Callinan did not meet to sniff test by Gracia and she told Bob Dickey to host the event in a local hotel bar.
Don't expect Dubow or Martore to show up.
My Boss is absolutely CORRECT. Ms. Martore has declined the request for a Gannett "hosted" going away bash for Freeman and Callinan. It is skewed as both of their spouses are coming in for the "non-Gannett" event.
ReplyDeleteNormally, the crystal palace hosts these events with internal catering and facilities. The cost is just about the same as an outside hotel.
Clearly they are trying to send a signal.
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ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know when Jason Tafler will be leaving PointRoll? It seems like he has not been seen anywhere and it looks like our business has dried up considerably. Many of my ops colleagues are starting to look around and have secured some good interviews with local companies. I love this company and have been here a few years, but it is a shame to see what is happening to the morale.
ReplyDeleteJason and the Sr. Management team have not communicated to us in a long while and we are hearing rumors that they are all leaving. Can someone explain what is happening to PointRoll?
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ReplyDeleteYes ,starting the day with this blog and
ReplyDeleteGannett tanking.At least there is comfort
in waiting with others who will also be signing up for unemployment checks as we wait stressfully for Gannett to decide who lives and who dies.Figuratively,of course, by means of
having a job or not.
Who walks the plank this week ,oh master
of our working fate.Must we all wait for your corporate signal of demise !!!
10:52 Are you saying that IDEO recommended this arrangement -- that is, the layout of the offices? Or that it just looks like an IDEO layout?
ReplyDeleteAlso, how long has this new media/digital presence been on the 11th floor -- and why the proximity to Dubow and Martore?
For Part 2 of this comment thread, please go here.
ReplyDelete"10:52 Are you saying ................................."
ReplyDeleteFor the love of God, give it up, Jim. You've been pasted to death on the issue. You're just showing again that way too often, you are a buzzing gadfly.