By my count, this morning's USA Today in print carried perhaps only 20 advertisements in its 32-page edition. Plus, there wasn't even a strip ad on the bottom of Page One. (How long's that been going on?)
Yesterday, Gannett's best-known brand announced that Detroit Media Partnership CEO Susie Ellwood had been named deputy publisher, in charge of day-to-day operations. She's reporting to her predecessor in Detroit, Dave Hunke, who's been USAT publisher since April 2009. He, in turn, was brought in to stanch bleeding ad sales and circulation.
Surely, Ellwood must already like some of her new co-workers. USAT's online story about her appointment comprises yesterday's press release, nearly word for word. (On the other hand, I couldn't find any coverage in my print edition.) But watch out, everyone: She's very focused and organized. Amid all the meet-and-greets yesterday, Ellwood made sure her LinkedIn profile got updated to reflect her new position. Here's this morning's front:
[Front page: Newseum]
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| Ellwood |
Surely, Ellwood must already like some of her new co-workers. USAT's online story about her appointment comprises yesterday's press release, nearly word for word. (On the other hand, I couldn't find any coverage in my print edition.) But watch out, everyone: She's very focused and organized. Amid all the meet-and-greets yesterday, Ellwood made sure her LinkedIn profile got updated to reflect her new position. Here's this morning's front:
It's the content, stupid. And it's pathetic. Perhaps the reported Ellwood axe can take a swing at John Hillkirk and Susan Weiss?
ReplyDeleteThat much ink to Weiner? The collective U.S. media has lost its way when the political sex scandal of the week is THE news.
ReplyDelete10:52 reminds me of how I felt during Clinton's "scandal." All those big old white guys, salivating over the cigar, like it was the kinkiest thing ever.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, my small-town daily had 19 paid ads in its eight page A section today, including a strip ad on 1A.
Hunke and Suzie drove Detroit into the ground. Now they are together again, speeding up the death march for USA Today. If they couldn't fix Detroit, why do people think USA Today will fare any better.
ReplyDeleteSusie could best begin by cutting the post transformation management overhead. Enterprise editors, cover story editors, two executive editors, a page one editor,an me and deputy editor in news, an ex money me who no one reports to, a barely here hillkirk. I could go on, but you get the idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Heather Frank and her management crew? Produce nothing, do nothing. Know everything.
ReplyDeleteI hope Robyn pence provides Ellwood notification of these blog posts. You can't make this crap up.
ReplyDelete1:44. Because they have a right to win, silly.
ReplyDeleteToo many of these people have been empowered to lead. They are failing, big time. We need a breath of fresh air and inspirational, seasoned leadership. Enough with the tackies and know nothings already. Morale is at all time lows.
ReplyDelete"USAT's online story about her appointment comprises yesterday's press release, nearly word for word."
ReplyDelete"Comprises" implies multiple parts; "consists of" would have been a better choice, "rehashes" even better.
Can I just say Susie Ellwood has really nice hair?
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ReplyDeleteUntil this woman does something to improve morale, there is no reason to trust her. Of course, any significant personnel move involving ineffectual or redundant senior editorial types would generate good will.
ReplyDelete7:35 Regarding Ellwood's hair: yes; it gives hope to those of us who are graying.
ReplyDeleteIt also brings back a memory of a black-tie dinner I attended with her; Craig Moon, and their spouses around 1990 in Little Rock. (Ellwood, then with the surname Miles, has since remarried.) She was wearing what looked like a couture ball gown. (I don't know whether she's still a clothes horse, however.)
Not sure why you remove a post calling this woman a babe, yet you call her a clotheshorse based on one black tie event 20 years ago. Come on. One was a compliment. Your's isn't, Jim.
ReplyDelete4:18 To repeat, I don't know whether she's still a clotheshorse. Stylish, for sure, however.
ReplyDeleteHow can you infer if someone is still a clotheshorse after seeing her at one event more than 20 years ago? Seems catty. You have yet to weigh in on what you know and believe about her except for this? You can do better.
ReplyDelete