But life at Gannett Local isn't all exciting cold calls! In one scene (above), someone's practicing putts in a hallway. What?! No foosball?
The l-o-o-o-o-n-g 3:29 video is accompanied by a head-thumping (and uncredited!) recording of OneRepublic's All the Right Moves.
"At Gannett Local," the recruitment pitch says, "we are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits plan that promotes health and wellness, builds current and future financial security, enhances work-life balance and allows for personal choice and flexibility for employees and their dependents. We offer a competitive base and commission model, a great work environment, and the opportunity to work with fun, smart people and learn a lot about one of the fastest growing industries."
And from Gannett Local's YouTube channel, meet the staff! As a promotional piece, however, the following video could use a telephone number for more information. (Also noteworthy: the channel has been viewed only 397 times in nearly a year.)
Must be a slow news day for Jim. And the problem with this is????????????????????
ReplyDeleteWe would rather see people depressed at work instead?
ReplyDelete12:49 I think you need to watch the Video....pretty weak. And, they lure you in with fun, exciting, great place to work.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, once you sign on I'm sure the environment is different.
The problem, I suppose, is that the ad lies.
ReplyDeleteIt should read ... "We provide a so-so benefits plan for a company of this size, and the constant stress that we keep employees under will ensure that you make good use of the healthcare package. If we don't lay you off, you might be able to make yourself financially secure, but don't expect a pension, as we don't play that game anymore. Because we frequently furlough our staff and strictly prohibit overtime, you'll get to spend more time with your family than you might at other jobs. Our working atmosphere is increasingly dreary but, hey, some people love challenges and for them it will be great."
Pathetic. Who other than the most desperate of job seekers could be convinced by such an insipid, glassy-eyed ad?
ReplyDeleteIt's astounding the lies they spin and spin!
ReplyDeleteThey must think that the word of their layoffs, print plant closings, and other outsourcings never left the local G A N N E T T office.
People in the community are well aware how little
G A N N E T T contributes. They see it every day in less local news, and they hear about it from their unemployed neighbors.
Yeh, they're goin' down, all right.
ReplyDeleteCongrats everyone you are now 1000 for 1000. Nothing that Gannett ever does is any good and you are always smarter than everyone else. I am glad to see your are consistent.
ReplyDeleteRiiiight... a fuzzy and friendly workplace. Phoenix Gannett Local just fired an employee who volunteered to donate a kidney to a stranger she encountered on Facebook. The competition is reporting about it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kpho.com/local-video/index.html?grabnetworks_video_id=4617550
Way to go Brad Roberstson. Putting greens at the office. Now that will attract top talent. IDIOT!!!
ReplyDeleteGracia must be rolling over in her St. john's suit!!,
Classic over reaction. So easy to criticize.
ReplyDelete1:44, cite the last good thing Gannett did. Wait, screwing over workers doesn't count.
ReplyDelete2:24....not really on the over reaction. That video costs a lot of money to produce, represents the company and its culture. Very poorly thought out, planned and executed. I'm sure it came from the top.
ReplyDeleteGannett lacks an attention span, especially when nurturing new ventures. I hope something is changing in that regard for the sake of this company and those happy people in the video!
ReplyDeleteOk, just watched the video and OMG how amusing and pathetic at the same time. I use to be a manager at the Republic and recognize those conference rooms and the endless and mindless meetings of poorly composed Powerpoints and struggling to stay awake (looks like most in those meetings are struggling with consciousness too, LOL). I can't imagine anyone watching that would be inclined to apply it gave no information what so ever. LMAO
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell was that? That video told me NOTHING about Gannett Local. Why would I apply, or worse, why would I even USE their services? They can't market themselves well, how are they going to market anyone else?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the over/under is of % of people in these videos that still work there in their happy little offices? I'm guessing only 25% are still there.
ReplyDelete5:01 pm - They do list their available benefits. (Copied and pasted from the site):
ReplyDeleteBenefits:
* Competitive compensation structure
* Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance
* 401(k) Savings Plan
* Sales Incentives
* Employee Referral Program
* Adoption Assistance Plan
* Employee Mortgage Program
* Flexible Spending Accounts
* Paid Time Off (PTO)
* No Cost Basic Life Insurance
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
* Employee Discount Programs
* Scholarships for Employees’ Children
* Travel Assistance
although I have to say that no one ever offered me the employee mortgage program, and the scholarship thing is a joke, if they are referring to the Madelyn Jennings thing.
The long and short version are sooooo Brad Robertson. Busy, flashy, fast, long-winded, charming....but - in the end, not much really there to stand on. What's the point again Brad?
ReplyDeleteMaybe he got saddled with someone else's idea (Gannett Local)?
ReplyDeleteJim, probably....but sadly isn't it like every other big corporation? Managers are paid enough to buy their loyalty, suspend their common sense and even perpetuate the cult?
ReplyDeleteDo what you're told, act as we wish or you'll lose this high paying job? Even to the point of abusing underlings as they've been abused with the same threats.
There are various good or bad examples through history of this same thing....conform or you're on the list/next.
Underlings buy into crap like this because you expect superiors and people with big salaries to know what they're doing....sorry, they don't.
I've seen publisher's running 3,500 weeklies with more business acumen, talent and creativity than most Gannett VPs or Publishers. Small town publishers just don't have the stomach or inclination to walk lock-step with the company. They're free thinking people that don't have to be nor want to be brainwashed.
Amazing how many people are jealous of Brad Robertson. He must be doing something right.
ReplyDeleteJealous? Who in their right mind would take an advertising sales job in Arizona? The only two industries are tourism and retirement, so when gas is $4 and real estate is still tanked, what do you sell? Sand?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget, they're getting GPC'd in a few months. Those putting greens will come in handy.
The video should have been a cartoon, the only people who apply for those jobs will be kids who don't know any better.
Anonymous said...westchester site all drama and theatrical is over. major announcement coming soon tony simmons will be next Pubilher and President to lead ailing westchester site. soucres are reporting.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGannett Local is all Brad's idea, and it shows. He didn't get saddled with it, he's been pushing it for about 3 years. It is a red-headed stepchild of a business experiment, not part of the Arizona Republic at all, so stop talking about them interchangeably.
ReplyDeleteGannett has no attention span for such things as Gannett Local, even if they are good. And GL isn't. It's Gannett doing things that others do better.
Why are people jealous of Brad? Irritated because he is all flash and no substance. Jealous because he keeps getting a "pass" because Bob, Michelle and others are a little afraid he might be on to something. Soon, Bob will tire of him.
Jealous of Brad? The copy cat idea of Gannett Local, stolen from Reach Local. Great creativity there Brad! Nice job hiring Heyward McAlpin who's ran off all of the talent there. Right?! Right?! None of them having true experience running a call center, and that's all it is. Heyward knows nothing about closing deals and customer service. I'd like to see how much revenue Heyward McAlpin has actually generated himself? Wait... Zero. Nothing. Lame place to work. Avoid like the plague for employment and advertising.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone found out how much muney was lost that was already sold and handed to gl reps on a silver platter! Cost of sale savings turned into lost customers and $0 revenue. Would love to know how how many customers have been churned.
ReplyDeleteGL is a poor man's Reach Local and that's saying a lot because RL is a joke of a churn n burn shop. Call center reps selling SEO and PPC with 0 prior experience in digital. I've had the pleasure of auditing their work (and Reach Local's), it's pure garbage. They're doing a disservice to anyone that does business with them and setting a bad precedent for the industry as well. I bet Brad still makes those sales reps hit the gong when they make a sale.
ReplyDeleteRing the gong! Still very much in action, along with a bunch of other nonsense that Heyward McAlpin is trying to enforce. Brad hiring Heyward was a joke. First off, Heyward is pushing Sandler up Brad's butt, and Sandler was designed for face to face sales. Second, none of the employees have any respect for Heyward. They hate him. The commission structure is a joke. 17% for commission on nothing being sold+Base=enough to keep their mouths shut and not say anything about how Heyward is a joke. If you look at his resume on lInkedin, you will find Heyward had all his recommendations by the same company, and they are all in the months of June and July. Which obviously means he had them do it to beef him up for Gannett. He clearly has no experience in running a call center, and his resume shows. Good luck Gannett Local, hope you get rid of Brad and hire someone who knows what they are doing.
ReplyDelete