Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Week of Jan. 3-9 | Your News & Comments: Part 1

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54 comments:

  1. I've added a new stock widget to the green sidebar on your right, showing Gannett's current share price. It replaces the original widget, which I had to take down after its third-party software inexplicably failed.

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  3. As a rebuttal to the previous thread and the many derisions twords this blog and its rumour mongering. Some of that's true... But here's the deal.

    This site is the best way for Gannett employees to share information. Yes. You're going to get a few idiots who have nothing better to do than to abuse the system. Can't help that.

    Even if you required them to make profiles, they'd just make new ones when their shit gets old. That would also make it much easier for corporate and the indivual sites to track where the info is coming from.

    If i had a screen name and released what i did here (the publisher purge-and no one believed me), and then followed up with other intel. It would be very easy to figure out who i am.

    The only one (and you know he loves it) in any position to stand on solid ground is Jim. For instance........

    I've heard about the USCP getting ready for a massive downsize/selloff. I've seen a few things that lead me to beleive so, and putting that together with the Cherry Hill/Wilmington posts as of late. It makes me think. Where there's smoke there's fire.

    Only Jim can gather all the intel, and peice it together for us. The question is? Will he?

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  4. Well,
    I start the New Year !!!!!
    Away from Gannett....and you can too.
    How refreshing to be away from the terrible ,
    backstabbing ,stressfull environment just to get a paycheck from those ungrateful son-of-
    a-bitches.
    Take the step,make 2011 your year to break
    the habit,just say no ,and leave it all behind.
    Enjoy life again !!!!!!

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  5. Looks like a number of publisher/editor positions are backed up in order to satisfy Gannett's usual revolving-door method of filling slots. Cincinnati editor is held up because Gannett has to find a taker for the resulting vacancy in Des Moines and so on down the line. Additionally, executive moves involve contract negotiations that are never disclosed publicly. New execs want to personally inspect the prime parking spot they've been promised. They need to personally visit the country clubs in their new assigned post, since Gannett will only pay for one membership. They need to ensure that they will have continued access to a chauffeur, chef and bodyguard as they did in their last job. They will want to verify that the move will again entitle them to the choice of a new vehicle and that mileage to and from work will again be reimbursed by the company, as it is for many/most executives. They may want to redecorate their new office, knowing that this will be the only occasion when Gannett would approve such an expense. They will want to get confirmation in writing of clothing allowances, fitness club privileges, bankers club memberships (or, in smaller markets, a Moose Lodge card), T&A accounts, season skybox tickets to all professional and college sports seasons, four tickets to the local playhouse, symphony and/or opera, access to one of the corporate jets no fewer than four times a year, and unlimited privileges to company-paid memberships to resorts in Northern Virginia, western North Carolina, upstate New York, Palm Springs, Captiva Island, the Arizona Biltmore, Guam and, expiring in 2012, Hawaii.

    Gannett Blog sources: Don't forget to email executive contracts found in copier machines and on unattended desktops to Jim. Jim, you should start a Rewards program for your best sources.

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  6. nice rant 9:39. First of all these perks don't exist for publishers at most sites anymore. Secondly, you are going to look very foolish this week. Another My Boss wannabe

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  7. How can we get the benefits situation worked out? Many of us who are retired or on LTD can't acces the Web site or get any questions answered when calling ACS? I haven't been able to pay my bill!!! I have written everything down - this nightmare - in case they try to kick me off benefits for not paying but I never even received a bill. HELP

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  8. Anthing new on the Courier-Post front regarding a "relationship" with the Philadelphia Inquirer?

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  9. Are the New Jersey properties the only ones that don't have the 2011 advertising rates?

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  10. 12:38: I ran into this too and spent all morning dealing with this. Me/my family are on Cobra after downsizing in March. Got the notice to send payment in Dec to the Carol Stream, Ill., address, just as I've done every month.

    But noticed the check was never deposited after more than 10 biz days. This very much unlike GCI, which normally practically sprints to cash in the Cobra check.

    Called the new benefits number: 877 865 8980

    They know there's a problem. But call them and explain what happened. You should get a 30-day grace period so you don't lose Cobra bennies. But verify these addresses as the new ones to send payment to. (Yes, for some reason, there are two addresses in two entirely different parts of the country. No idea why and, frankly, the person on the benefits line had no idea either.)

    (regular mail)
    Cobra Services
    Gannett Benefits Center
    PO 7247-0230
    Philadelphia, PA 19170-0230


    (express/overnight only)
    Gannett Benefits Center
    PO 14391
    Lexington, KY 40512-4391

    Check for Cobra is still payable to Gannett, I was told.

    I sent a priority mailing to the 'regular mail' address in Philly. I can let folks know what happens later this week/early next if it goes through just fine.

    Folks, let me/us know what kind of experience you have here on this critical matter.

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  11. Has anyone heard anything about more layoffs or furloughs?

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  12. 12:38 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

    I had the same experience and was assured by the person I spoke to at ACS that there is a problem as well as a 30-day grace period. They advised me not to send money anywhere until bill arrived.

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  13. Wilmington publisher roasted for plagiarizing Xmas letter:
    http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/112751/note-to-publishers-journalists-can-smell-a-plagiarized-holiday-message/

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  14. KPNX's move into the Arizona Republic building is nearly done. They're kicking off the official completion of the move with a day of public events starting with the Today Show's Al Roker in the morning and a Gin Blossoms concert in the evening. The Republic building is now being called "200EVB," which apparently is hipper than the Arizona Republic. 200EVB stands for the street address of the building, 200 East Van Buren and 200evb.com now links to a KPNX reporter. So if you're in Phoenix on Jan 12 come down to 200evb and groove to the swinging tunes of the Gin Blossoms.

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  15. Any truth that they are going to reinstate tuition reimbursement for college classes? On some sites that describe Gannett, it still says that they offer this.

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  16. cherry hill has signed 2 yr contracts with pressmen and mailers guarenting jobs which means paper must be printed there . Dont think they are going anywhere

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  17. I haven't gotten my Cobra billing for January. Usually it arrives in mid to late Dec.

    I also haven't gotten my new insurance card, which I was assured last month that I would receive by Jan. 1.

    Is this what it's like being a Gannett newspaper subscriber and calling the Center of Excellence?

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  18. cherry hill has signed 2yr contracts with mailers and pressmen gaurenteeing jobs at the courier post ,I guess they are not going anywhere

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  19. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110103/NEWS/110103028/Register-editor-Washburn-moves-to-Cincinnati-job-Green-named-as-new-D.M.-newsroom-leader

    http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110103/NEWS01/110103023/Desert+Sun+Editor+Rick+Green+leaving+for+Iowa

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  20. Same press / mailer unions in cherry hill, Wilmington (at least same for press) and Philly. I'm sure contracts have out clause for takeover/sale. Regardless, anything can be negotiated ... Stay tuned ...

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  21. Rick Green from The Desert Sun to Des Moines. Just announced.

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  22. 5:48- That contract was signed with Gannett. It would be null and void in a buyout situation.

    Granted it could be honored, but when has Gannett be honorable?

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  23. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110103/NEWS/110103028/-1/anything%20here/Register-s-Washburn-moves-to-Cincy-job-Green-is-new-editor-in-D.M.

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  24. Go Rick. You da man! Congratulations.

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  25. Just a question, why would union agree to a 2yr deal guareenting job security if contracts had a out clause, your right stay tuned but that seems silly on union part to agree to that

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  26. Let the rumors begin on what domino falls into Palm Springs. The recently arrived Jim Kelly, Green's second-in-command in the Sun's newsroom, may not want or be offered the job. A Gannetteer, or somebody from outside of the company?

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  27. as far as philly takin over courier post they just lost lots of money on their recent take over you would think that they would want to see if they could generate a profit first in philly before buying another paper . These people have lots of money yes but they also dont want to loose anymore than they already have in philly.

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  28. To Jim you taking the day off. No headlines on the two new editors? You are not off to a very splashy 2011. What up?

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  29. To 7:48: News flash. This is not Jim's full-time job. So stop reaching for excuses to snipe at him. Troll.

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  30. The advertorial "Economy" series kicks off Sunday at my site with a 1A centerpiece story--usually the spot reserved for enterprise or investigative pieces. Got the feeling every paper got the same timeline and kickoff date. The Gannett-provided Web link is already on our site in the same spot the Black Friday link occupied. Lame, lame, lame.

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  31. 10:39 Could you please post the Gannett-provided web link here? I'd like to see it.

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  32. The Jim defenders are as pointless as ever, I see.

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  33. 3:04 -- Tuition reimbursement was never stopped at my site. Are you sure you didn't just assume it was stopped because of rumors here? Did you actually get a memo?

    I know many people who use tuition reimbursement regularly and who got checks as recently as the end of the fall 2010 semester. It's hard to imagine the company allowing this benefit only on a site by site basis since it's paid by corporate.

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  34. Wow, the Republic is really pulling out all the stops, the Gin Blossoms! Pulling the Gin Blossoms off the Casino circuit must have cost some serious dough, or perhaps the paper negotiated trade so the band could target the 50-70 year old fan base with it's new record. Super.

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  36. The mother-loving Gin Blossoms? The Republic couldn't find anybody else more relevant? Wow, no effort expended there.

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  37. Jim, if this isn't your full-time job, what indeed do you do with your days? I notice you don't seem to take the lavish vacations you took when you were getting a Gannett paycheck.

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  38. @Jim: Here's the link

    http://topics.gannett.com/jobs/?template=theregister

    It's surprisingly simple; you take take the basic URL, then type in the newspaper name after the "=" sign to get each paper's version

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  39. The Jim haters are pointless as ever, I see.

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  40. USA Today buys Reviewed.com:
    http://finance.yahoo.com/news/USA-TODAY-Acquires-prnews-1536653783.html?x=0&.v=1

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  41. 8:57 At a glance, it looks like content designed to promote CareerBuilder, without telling readers that Gannett owns CB.

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  42. To: USA TODAY Employees
    Fr: Dave Hunke

    I’d like to start the New Year off by announcing an acquisition that is an important step in the development of our consumer media strategy. Reviewed.com, a group of technology product review websites, is now a part of the USA TODAY brand. Robin Liss, founder and CEO, along with the team from Reviewed, will report to Heather Frank, USA TODAY’s VP/Consumer Media. Please see below for full details.


    USA TODAY announces the acquisition of Reviewed.com, a group of 12 product-review websites that provide comprehensive reviews for technology products such as digital cameras, camcorders and high definition televisions. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Company management will continue in their current roles and the company will remain in Boston, Mass.

    “USA TODAY’s acquisition of Reviewed.com is an important step as we develop our integrated consumer media strategy. We believe this combination of our consumer technology coverage and access along with their reviews and audience will be a winning one for our customers,” said Dave Hunke, president and publisher of USA TODAY.

    Reviewed.com, LLC provides market-leading, comprehensive reviews in multiple categories. Each site features standardized, lab-tested, scientific reviews and comparison tools that empower consumers with all the information they need before making a purchase. Reviewed.com conducts its testing in dedicated facilities that feature lab quality imaging, acoustic and display testing equipment. These objective, proprietary testing methods give Reviewed.com a competitive edge with easy to understand reviews that compare products side-by-side

    The Reviewed.com network of technology review publications includes: www.DigitalCameraInfo.com, www.TelevisionInfo.com, www.CamcorderInfo.com, www.PrinterInfo.com, www.HeadphoneInfo.com as well as international editions. The network reaches an average of 1,000,000 monthly unique readers.

    “This acquisition by USA TODAY allows us to further our goals of creating a more transparent marketplace for consumers by providing them with the most accurate and unbiased product information available to make informed purchases,” said Robin Liss, founder, president and CEO of Reviewed.com.

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  43. Again, Gannett buys another irrelevant website, when I first read the news release I thought maybe it was CNET or at least something people have heard of or used. I use the web all of the time to research electronic devices and gadgets and have never come across or heard of reviewed.com or their associated websites. What a joke Gannett is just unbelivable. LMAO

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  44. ok just checked out reviewed.com what a joke webstie...... OMG and the funny thing is the Gannett thinks they are cutting edge buying it. Too Funny!!!!

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  45. So, are these Professional Reviews, or reviews by actual, everyday Users? It's User reviews that I want to read. Maybe sometimes a technogeek writes a review that tells me what's important about the product, and why I should care, but otherwise I'm interested in ease of use by non-technogeek users, who have practical experience with the product and can tell you what worked and what didn't work for them.
    It seems like a reasonable move, particularly with the comparison function. People like to read product reviews and compare product features.

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  46. Hey they bought something now Furloughs!!! first quarter one week.

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  47. Well it's important to buy properties so au courant and cutting edge their copyright tagline says:

    Copyright 1996-2007 Reviewed.com, all rights reserved. All trademarks and product names are property of their respective owners. Reviewed.com makes no guarantees regarding any of the advice offered on this website or by its staff or users. All user comments and postings are not the responsibility of Reviewed.com.

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  48. I understand the companies problem, but this just makes you look silly when you have to keep peoples bonuses. And may I add, it was YOU who changed the compensation structure in the first place not the sales reps.
    Very poor management. "a fish rots from the head down"

    Dear Team:

    We have had to make a very difficult decision regarding the retention bonus for Q4. The good news is we are still paying part of the retention bonus; the bad news is we will not be paying out the total amount.

    Our revenue was hideous – which I am sure many of you know based on your individual revenue performance. Our losses were compounded in the fourth quarter by credits topping over ½ million dollars – period 12 was half of the credit total alone. Unfortunately, given the lack of our revenue performance, the amount of credits and expenses we incurred for the quarter as well, the retention payout for the quarter will be at 50%.

    Several of you demonstrated success even in the vastness of dismal revenue results and for this please accept my congratulations as well as my apologies for needing to make this very late and tough decision. I will be looking at modifications to the commission program to reward performance while staying within the corporate expense guidelines. If you have questions please see your manager or me directly.

    Again folks, sorry for this news.

    Jandell Herum
    Vice President, Sales and Marketing
    The Journal News
    One Gannett Dr.
    White Plains, NY 10604
    jherum@lohud.com
    Phone: 914.694.5157

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  49. What a shame - Westchester used to be a good performer - good sales people know how much they made with each sale - and they count on that money - I hear Patch is looking for good sales people - update your resumes now.

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  50. Where does Reviewed.com fit with USA TODAY's overall transition strategy? And how soon can we get people to redesign this site - what a mess!

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  51. @5:11 PM, it's part of USAT's move into the next set of verticals, including personal technology and personal finance. Review.com serves the same purpose as the paper's relationship with Demand Media: (kinda) evergreen content to fill pages without the cost of keeping necessary editorial staff in-house. It's a skeleton to hang pageviews and ad impressions on.

    Doesn't do anything to build the USAT brand, of course, but most of Hunke's Horde doesn't know anything about building brands, anyway.

    I almost feel sorry for Jeffrey Wilks. I hope he got a hellacious signing bonus for joining this mess.

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  52. It would be interesting to find out if other Gannett properties still offer tuition reimbursement. I was told in the past that ours does not. Does this vary by individual properties?

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  53. For Part 2 of this comment thread, please go here.

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  54. This is straight from Greg Osberg, CEO of Phila. Media Network: Inquirer has entered into a joint program with JRC and Gannett (read: Wilmington & Cherry Hill) for insert distribution. Nothing more.

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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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