Sunday, January 09, 2011
Week of Jan. 3-9 | Your News & Comments: Part 4
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49 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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Hey, I fell for that too! 11:12 a.m. posted as "Jim said" about Phoenix, but it wasn't from the real Jim. (no photo, among other clues). I've been on pins and needles to see what you knew about Phoenix!
ReplyDeleteJan 6, 11:12 P.m., that is
ReplyDeleteWhats up with the Greenville call center looking to add 30 more agents for Full content?
ReplyDeleteThis looks promising
ReplyDeleteLAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - 01/06/11) - Cynergy Systems, Inc., a leading software product concept, design and development agency, alongside USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation, unveiled USA TODAY for Windows 7 Slate PCs at CES 2011. USA TODAY for Windows-based slate PCs is a new product designed and developed specifically for Windows tablet devices. The USA TODAY App for Windows-based slate PCs, developed by Cynergy in cooperation with USA TODAY, features the signature look and design that readers have come to trust from USA TODAY providing them with eye catching photos and graphics while delivering the latest award-winning USA TODAY content in a convenient interactive package.
USA TODAY for Windows-based slate PCs is the first of a new breed of applications to be deployed on Microsoft Windows: the mobile app. Cynergy's implementation of the USA TODAY mobile app was designed from the ground up to take advantage of this new and exciting platform and has been optimized to treat touch as a first class experience, rather than a novelty. The USA TODAY for Windows-based slate PCs is tightly focused on providing an immersive touch experience including optimized exploration, navigation, and performance. Whether users are connected and online, or on the go, the app will always be up to date with the latest award-winning news from USA TODAY, providing readers with the access to immediate and breaking news anywhere, anytime.
"It's incredibly exciting to work with a market leader like USA TODAY to deliver an incredible product on a platform and on devices that no one has even seen before," said Dave Wolf, Vice President of Strategy at Cynergy, "and the challenge of doing that in under 90 days is what we do best."
"We're excited to announce our latest application for tablet and Slate devices. USA TODAY remains committed to launching new products so our readers can receive their news in any platform they choose," said Steve Kurtz, vice president of digital development of USA TODAY.
Cynergy works with some of the most trusted global brands and market leaders to imagine, design and ship game-changing software products. We work hand-in-hand with companies of all sizes and in nearly every vertical, helping to create incredible software products through our Motivational Design Framework and proven enterprise-class software engineering teams, delivering direct and measurable results. Higher revenues, increased user adoption, off-the-chart customer satisfaction and unquestioned market leadership are all realized by helping our customers create amazing software. Forbes, CNN, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the BBC have covered our work. More information about Cynergy can be found at www.cynergysystems.com and samples of our work can be found at www.cynergytv.com.
USA TODAY is a multi-platform news and information media company. Founded in 1982, USA TODAY's mission is to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Today, through its newspaper, website and mobile platforms, USA TODAY connects readers and engages the national conversation. USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of more than 1.8 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper website launched in 1995, reach a combined 5.9 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than seven million downloads on mobile devices. The USA TODAY brand also includes USA TODAY Education and USA TODAY Sports Weekly. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI - News).
Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1472340
A Warren Buffet Pick.
ReplyDelete4) Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) trades around $13.49, giving an implied upside of roughly 32% to the consensus target of $17.86. This position has been chopped down considerably. The company is the largest newspaper publisher with operations in print, broadcast, and digital. Buffett has lowered the stake in the company and as the media woes of yesteryear are likely to persist for years. Gannett, though, may feel like a wild card. Despite declining earnings and revenues, Gannett trades at about 6-times forward earnings. The dividend yield here is only about 1.2% and that target price of $17.86 is under the recent highs as the 52-week trading range is $9.63 to $19.69. http://247wallst.com
Yesterday, MSNBC did a quickie poll asking people where they got news. The vast majority said online. Only 21 percent said newspapers. Even the announcers, both avid newspaper readers, were surprised by the poor showing.
ReplyDeleteHad they asked where people get "local news," the numbers would likely be better for newspapers. Newspapers still out-report any other news source in most communities. You know, the local franchise thing...a commodity that could provide a prosperous future for GCI.
With all that's at stake, you'd think that reality would give birth to a well-funded, carefully thought-out online strategy by Gannett. Sadly, that has not happened and it is clearly the fault of the corporate leadership.
I know firsthand that Gannett information centers are undermanned, poorly run and void of any longterm srategic goals. Center workers will tell you they no longer strive for excellence. They strive for survival.
In the big picture, as corporate types like to say, Gannett is being penny wise and dollar foolish. As always, it focuses on month-to-month reports rather than investing in longterm, strategic goals.
My fear is that there are no longterm strategic goals. Instead, we see multi-million dollar executives running from one side of the sinking ship to the other, chasing the fad-of-the-day.
Moms money, for example, could have provided hundreds of workers to build the best local news portals ever created by man. Just think of all the misguided projects Gannett funded as it hacked away at the heart and soul of its business.
Because Gannett tried to move into the future for a nickel instead of a dollar, it is now vulnerable to all kinds of formidable challengers. The Patch project, for one.
Not to be trite, but imagine what four or five top Gannett newsrooms could have done on the online development front 10 or 15 years ago with multi-million dollar grants from the Gannett Foundation. Wouldn't it have been better for the foundation to spend its money helping move into the future rather than squandering it on monuments to yesterday's heroes?
Seems to me that Gannett is being run by some tight-fisted money-changers at a time when big-thinking, chance-taking visionaries are needed.
Build well-funded, kick-ass local online sites and local ad dollars just might follow. Continue the half-assed, under-funded, under-staffed approach and that local franchise Gannett once claimed will be lost forever.
Did a pay wall go up around some of indystar.com content?
ReplyDeleteClicked on the 'office complex goes to sheriff's auction' and 'building owner warns downtown club out' and was prompted for a username and password.
Indystar worked for me, including those pieces 12:51 asked about. Phishing expedition?
ReplyDelete@3:01 aka "Jim said" You must be seriously bored. Go to bed!
ReplyDeleteRegarding that MSNBC poll...I saw a similar poll on CNN. It had TV at the head of the list as a news source, followed by the internet.
ReplyDeleteHey, why read when you can look at pictures?
A friend works at a weekly and the furlough news
ReplyDeletewas sort of the last blow to that site.
They have been reduced in staff by 75% in the last 2 years and can no way put out descent product with the few employees there to get the work done.
Revenues are down hugely and he feels like they have just enough people to keep what little revenue still coming in.
There is a local start-up there which began
a year ago and is now flourishing.Apparently local businesses love dealing with a local owner again and most ad dollars are going to this new startup.They have a much better product,and it is obvious that there is pride put into the work they do and not just assembly line, get it out the door work, that has become common for Gannett print products.
Anyway the Gannett employees at that site
are just waiting for the next blow to come and
that would be closing comepletely.
Re 9:43 p.m.....Nickeling instead of dollaring or even quartering into the future is an ingrained Gannett practice.
ReplyDeleteFor decades the company has worked on the premise that the job can always be done more cheaply.
It's simply a company tradition to bleed the local properties and transter the wealth to corporate. That has always been easy to do because quality HAS NEVER BEEN GANNETT'S CONCERN.
It's only more noticeable now because the changing media world has spawned the layoffs, pay freezes, etc. after publishers (not just Gannett) snoozed like Rip Van Winkle when the World Wide Web came to town.
I told everyone at my sight that layoffs were coming and before they laid me off I told them that furloughs were coming. Well I bet you all believe me now. Gannett sucks and anyone who is willing to work for such shady employer is doing a disservice to themselves, their fiends and families, and this country by helping to sponsor this type of behavior. The only "person" you are helping is that shady charcter lurking in the corner you know the one they call Gannett. Get out now. Just quit walk away. It is not hard to find new work. Why have all Americans became such politically correct pussy's. Like a bunch of scared little orphans who have been abused their entire lifes. Stand up and change the world. I had a job before I even recieved my first unemployement check and all I had to do was try. Life is so much better working for any company that is not Gannett.
ReplyDeleteDo 2:19 where do you work. Share your good news. Tell us the job you had and the job you have now. See you "quit without a job guys" always talk big but you never give details. You are irresponsible
ReplyDeleteI do not like Apple products, but just wanted to report the company just filed its last year financial statements reporting that Steve Jobs, the chief exec., earned a salary of $1 last year. Yes, Crystal Palace, that is $1. And it is undoubtedly one of America's most successful companies.
ReplyDeleteIn its story about Jobs' compensation, The Wall Street Journal says: "Mr. Jobs is widely known for taking the $1 salary, which has been his practice since rejoining the company as chief executive officer in 1997. Mr. Jobs also owns about 5.5 million shares of the company and hasn't sold any shares since 1997, according to the filing with the Security and Exchange Commission. He holds no unvested equity awards. Apple shares, up 59% over the past 12 months, recently edged up $1.17 to $334.90."
ReplyDeleteAt that price, Jobs' stock rose in value by about $600 million, to $1.8 billion.
Still, it's worth noting that he didn't receive any salary or other compensation, including stock options. Basically, he's working for free, while deriving income from his existing Apple shares. And I bet the shareholders would be only too happy to pay him a bundle.
The Kingdom of Gannett knows it can screw with the serfs as long as the economy is sputtering along and jobs are scarce.
ReplyDeleteI certainly would promote Jobs' example for this company. That is the way American businesses should be run. A token $1 salary and no stock options, but working to improve Apple shares on which he lives. Jobs pours it all goes into the company. I think the products are generic, quirky and really not up to the billing, but I cannot quibble at all with how he is running it.
ReplyDeleteIkay, first give CEO $3billion. Then, he can work for $1 year plus equity awards. I guess that's what should happen. Does anyone care that Jobs got billions then took $1? That he gets millions from other investments. Let's not make Stevieboy the poster child for CEO compensation, because without the initial billions then he wouldn't be making a buck today. It's like when IACoocoo took a buck a year from Chrysler. Whoopdedoo. he took 10s of milllions in equity. Yet the only thing cracker hack business reporters focused on was a buck a year. Give Dubow 4billion then I am shore he'd exchange that for a buck a year salary. Wouldn't you? Hell, give me couple hundred thousand cash I would for the next four years for a buck a year.
ReplyDeleteSteve Jobs founded the fricken company,
ReplyDeletehe is entitled to any amount he chooses.
Don't speak as though you know what you are talking about.
Being the majority owner and founder of one of the most successful corporations doesn't pay himself a salary! That is impressive.
You think he doesn't deserve the stock growth
income on the corporation he made so successful!
You are a fool!
You miss the point. Salary for execs is dependent on success, normally as measured by growing the company's revenues each year. Corporate is not doing this, as we saw in the last quarter when revenues were stagnant y/o/y. So there should be no bonuses this year or paid again until they return to growing revenues. We should encourge this attitude because all of our well-being and that of our families depends on this being a healthy, growing company.
ReplyDeleteThe Web site for the Arizona Daily Star is selling photos of the man believed to be responsible for shooting several people, including Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords and a federal judge, for $125 each.
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2011/01/gabrielle_giffords_shooter_azs.php
Somebody will get the President's Ring for that, no doubt. Typical classy Gannett performance.
yes, except the Star isn't a gannett paper.
ReplyDeleteHey 8:33. Please stop interrupting the flow of the idiotic rants by using facts. Thanks.
ReplyDelete7:50 no offense but you need to take a business class. Executives get paid for several things but the biggest is returning a profit. A profit is made by growing revenues, reducing expenses and or both. It's the final bottom-line. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings but accuracy is still important.
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ReplyDeleteI've just removed a series of 20 comments from here and several other threads that were designed to be solely disruptive.
ReplyDeleteJust one more thing about the Steven Jons question. It's true that he earns a buck a year (forget that he has billions in Appl stock), that's admirable. So, Dubow must be overpaid. Okay. So Tim Cook makes $60,000,000, which using this logic suggests Martore. is drastically underpaid.
ReplyDeleteYou can't surmise one without the other.
I can't stand it when folks start comPlaining about salaries. Based on the size and nature of our business our top executives are nit over paid. Jim why don't you list the salaries and bonuses of the CEOs if the top ten print, broadcast and web companies. Enough with how much money they make. Last time I checked your journalists not socialists! In Anerica top leaders make large salaries and by the way every one of us would take the money if we could. Even Jim has the financial bit in his mouth and is running with it. How many times a week do we, the readers, need to know someone in Virginia sent him ten. Bucks? The answer is. NEVER! But he is running a business, he expects to be paid. He is not a socialist people. Enough already, they make a lot if money, the legacy products are sucking wind. If you could you'd go work for Google, who by the way pays their folks crap. Lots of turnover at Google Commrades.
ReplyDeleteCan somebody familiar with the CafeMom deal please explain the strategy behind it? Not necessarily asking to defend it, but what's the rationale for Gannett to own another network of moms sites?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Gannett has been chasing the pot of gold at the end of the Moms rainbow for the last five years, but have yet to realize that the only thing there is fool's gold. Cozi, Moms non-dailies, MomsLikeMe ... Further, even the moms/parenting sites that are moderately successful -- Babble, the Bump, Parenting -- are barely making any money on their own.
Haven't enough resources and dollars been thrown at this by now to realize that there isn't much demand for these types of sites?
7:50
ReplyDeleteWhere have you been ?
Gannett...
All of our well being, and that of our families
depends on this being a healthy and growing company....
Are you joking??
You are still depending on this being a healthy,
growing company to work for...
No offense but,you might want to wake up.
Gannett is not growing,it is not healthy.
Quite the opposite has been true for 2 years or
more.What are you thinking.?
Can someone tell me how a daily that is around 28,000 D and 32,000 S support a publisher that makes $200k?
ReplyDelete12:04 why do you care? What's your point?
ReplyDelete11:33 I believe the corporate strategy behind the CafeMom deal is that they can dump the faltering Ripple6 technology and the local MomsLikeMe staff and run the CafeMom site with far less overhead.
ReplyDelete1204 what an inane question. What is the point. Pubs get paid what they get paid.
ReplyDelete"I've just removed a series of 20 comments from here and several other threads that were designed to be solely disruptive."
ReplyDeleteHa! What a joke you are, Jim. Those were around for hours.
11:48 It is 7:50 here: read it again because that is what I said, or meant to say.
ReplyDeletein regards to publisher salaries (and those of the OC), most were (and I am sure still are) on the corporate payroll which is quite different then being on the local payroll. And, it salaries have always been tied to revenue responsibility (at least on the publisher and advertising side) which means an AD at a metro could make more than a publisher at a small daily. Always been that way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the insight 2:21
ReplyDeleteI understand that on the technology side, maintaining a company like Ripple6 just to prop up the MLM platform makes little sense. But paying $100 million for CafeMom -- which is nothing more than a blog-bulletin board mix -- makes even less sense.
The dirty secret that all moms sites are hiding these days (including MomsLikeMe) is that Facebook is making them all increasingly irrelevant. The mommy conversations have all migrated there, and FB is becoming a better and better community every single day.
The purchase of any moms "social network" (be it CafeMom or iVillage or whoever else is itching for an exit strategy) would signal a very clear ignorance of Facebook and how it has has fundamentally changed the game for all such sites.