Can't find the right spot for your comment? Post it here, in this open forum. Real Time Comments: parked here, 24/7. (Earlier editions.)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
55 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."
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Interesting story on our close business partner Yahoo on USAT today.
ReplyDelete"Investors are no doubt getting impatient with (CEO) Bartz, who has been able to cut costs and manage the business more efficiently" but not "to help Yahoo generate top-line growth," Sterling says. "Bartz probably doesn't have more than one or two quarters at most, if things don't improve, before the board begins searching for a new CEO."
So how many quarters do we have to put up with our C-class execs with no top-line growth?
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-07-20-yahoo-bartz_n.htm
Are there any layoffs to report yet this week?
ReplyDeleteThe layoffs should be in the planning stages now, so please post with any news.
ReplyDeleteThe nervous nellies on layoffs need to calm down. Just this week Martore said we're fine. Remember this headline:
ReplyDeleteMartore on more layoffs: 'We have currently no intentions of looking at further reductions'
I'm sure this means that unless you work at a newspaper, in a press room or for an online entity with G your job is safe. If you work for any of the above you should start packing your parachute.
(Note sarcasm)
9:38
ReplyDeleteExactly correct.Martore says no layoffs ,in Gannett speak and spin that means that as I am talking there will not be a layoff. When she puts the mic down heads will fall,may the blood letting begin! For any of you who don't have a box in your office that is ready to be packed
you might want to get one .After 3 years however,that box should already be nearly full and ready to go.Anyway,that will make packing up your office as you are watched by security a whole lot easier.
When do you know gannett exec is lying? When they are moving their lips.
ReplyDeleteIf the quarterly report showed some gains in profit would you feel that your job is safe?
ReplyDeleteProbably you would not.
This quartly report was about as dismal as it has been in the last years of the downtrend.
So for them to say that layoffs are not being planned is ridiculous.But why be truthful and tell Wall Street and investors the truth,much less employees .
The announcement of up to$140 million in expenses (to cover dividend boost and stock buyback) means only one thing; cost cuts elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteThe ad director's last day at the Reno (Nev.) Gazette-Journal was last Friday, 15 July. The individual has not been replaced. No one on-site knows if they're looking or whether that's that (which is typical Gannett comms). Just know, no offense, that lots of people feel a whole lot better (per them, not me). That person, maybe a nice guy in personal life, at work was arbitrary, clueless and dismissive -- and the sole reason I accepted my layoff rather than the insulting humiliation of applying for another position serving that individual who, coming in circa 2009, couldn't bother to even get my first name right, let alone my responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteAn article in the new edition of The Corporate Way magazine reveals how Gannett keeps a tight rein on its VPs, publishers and top editors. Those "president's rings" have a 1/16th inch needle projecting inward from the top of the ring. According to the article, the needle injects a minute, steady stream of psychoactive drug that leaves the ring wearer ostensibly responsive during everyday encounters with people, but internally detached and functioning primarily in accordance with programmed directives such as "operational efficiency," "transformational strategy," "content monetization," "passion topics" and "blonds with heaving breasts." The effects of the drug linger upon removal of the ring and can only be reversed by a hand-clap in front of the wearer's face or a long, loud fart.
ReplyDeleteFile under News of the Weird: The Tennessean is now hiring. Just hired back one of the freshly laid-off news reporters, to replace a features reporter who resigned rather than get transferred to news. Also hiring to replace the political editor who just resigned.
ReplyDelete1:04 - who was the lucky re-hire? LO? JB? CE?
ReplyDelete1:21 It was JB. Replacing CP.
ReplyDeleteYeah, what's going on with this round of "layoffs" and re-hires. For example, Des Moines "laid off" the digital projects editor and now have an ad to hire a digital projects editor. WTF?
ReplyDelete11:37 AM, that explains everything. Thanks for the chuckle!
ReplyDeleteBig layoff in Tucson today 20+
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/072111_star_cuts/daily-star-axes-20-newsroom-marketing-advertising/
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to a story about Tucson (Arizona Daily Star and TNI) layoffs. By a blogger who's a former Tucson Citizen reporter.
Tucson number now up to 40.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/072111_star_cuts/daily-star-axes-40-newsroom-marketing-advertising/
Maybe even an editor at the Star is out the door. That would be something.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a bloodbath in Tucson today. Every department got hit. We've been running on a skeleton crew already for a while, and now we're scrambling to get things done because there was a lot of things the newly departed didn't get a chance to finish.
ReplyDeletetoday's layoffs are more proof that Gracia and Craig are f*cking liars. Just hours ago Gracia said no more layoffs (in immediate future)!
ReplyDelete4 people let go in Wilmington just before. They are saying more is coming soon.
ReplyDeleteTucson is run by Lee not Gannett
ReplyDeleteHow many were let go from the Star the last time -- a couple of years ago?
ReplyDeleteTucson is OWNED by Lee but, believe you me, RUN by Gannett. No question about who pulls the strings at 4850 S. Park.
ReplyDeleteNov. 10, 2009, was last big layoff at the Star. Library completely decimated and others from news departments.
ReplyDelete4:23 Lee owns the Arizona Star. But it shares ownership of the JOA 50/50 with Gannett.
ReplyDeleteFrom the story listed above: "The newspaper, which took over operations from Tucson Newspapers Inc., the former joint operating agency that ran publishing and advertising for the Star and the Tucson Citizen until the latter ceased publishing in 2009, is published by newspaper chain Lee Enterprises.
ReplyDeleteProfits from the South Park operation are shared between Lee and the former publisher of the Citizen, Gannett Inc." (FYI, because I didn't know, either)
Here in Louisville pressroom we had one pressman laid off five weeks ago. Since his departure, we've worked 60 shifts of overtime.
ReplyDelete4:50 Apparently, Gannett needs to update its annual report to the SEC.
ReplyDelete4:23 But isn't the current chief executive in Tucson someone who came from within Lee?
ReplyDeleteAren't all employees in Tucson actually Lee employees?
How can there be layoffs. Didn't that lady who makes a lot if money and spends none if it on her hair just say this week "no layoffs are planned" That's a quick turn around.
ReplyDeleteThere were no layoffs in Wilmington today.
ReplyDeleteLee is struggling to restructure its debt or it will end up like Journal Register and others - owned by Alden Global, a hedge fund that will finish off or consolidate sites by the dozen. Then whoever is left can work for minimum wage/few benefits. Breathtaking to watch the industry collapse. And the startups and nonprofits are making tiny inroads, but with 2 or 10 people at a time - not the dozens/hundreds that legacy media sites employed. And the American public will be more ignorant. Scary times.
ReplyDeleteso are they just sticking and jabbing one at a time in different locations now or is there another big lay-off plan in the making? Did the last 700+ have anything to do with the Q2 profits or was that because of Q1? Someone straighten me out please
ReplyDeleteIn Wilmington what is rank and file think of hr Delores pinto had dealings with her at app and what a fraud.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIn Wilmington we is thinking we never saw her.
ReplyDeleteI know the ownership pedigree because I worked at the Star when it was a Pulitzer property. I assume my meager retirement won't exist by the time I hit 65.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad, sad day in Tucson.
Pinto doesn't work in Wilmington this was a few years ago
ReplyDeleteIf anyone cares, many names now public.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/072111_star_cuts/daily-star-axes-40-newsroom-marketing-advertising/
Pinto is a monster who was a master at being two-faced. Don't know how she sleeps at night. A normal person would have nightmares about all the misery they caused.
ReplyDeleteManagement committee in Poughkeepsie -- years ago -- used to all get together for seances, tarot readings and other occult mumbo jumbo. They were all really into it. I kid you not.
ReplyDelete9:53 thanks that's what I thought and the app hr person kathi not much better. Where do they find these people. They are like soulless drones.
ReplyDeleteJim, Gracia didn't lie about layoffs as the jobs lost in Tucson were job eliminations. As one of the eliminated, let me confirm that the eliminations was closer to 50 than 40 and most were Gannett employees. I believe that all Tucson employees are on Gannett payroll except for the news department who on Lee payroll. CEO Mr. Humenik is a Lee employee as well.
ReplyDeleteJim, the Tucson operation may be 50-50 for Lee and Gannett, but Gannett increasingly is claiming it as a Gannett property. Check out, for example, the rankings of Arizona's largest companies from the Arizona Republic, which lists Gannett with 2,185 employees in 2011, up from 1,750 in 2010. That has to include the Tucson operation. Republic footnote: Total for Gannett Co., Inc., includes all locations and properties in Arizona. The 2010 figure does not include corporate employees. http://www.azdatapages.com/datacenter/business/arizona-republic-top-100-details.html?fmyid=63
ReplyDeleteAlso, check out the Gannett list of President's Rings for 2011, with two winners from Tucson, for HR and finance: http://www.gannett.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=9999110428001
The publisher there works for the partnership, which is 50-50. He may be a Lee pick, but he reports to both companies.
Jim, here's one more example of Gannett-Tucson:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gannett.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/MARKETING/101103001
Anyone who believes their job is safe with Gannett is taking magic mushrooms. You need to take a reality check and realize, your job, your friends job will NEVER be safe with this company. In a few years this company will not resemble the company you once called a newspaper. Wake up and smell the coffee.
ReplyDeleteI love coffee @1151. And I doubt anybody here thinks their job is safe. But journalism isn't always about safe. Never has been. Never will be. If I wanted safe, I'd be long gone.
ReplyDeleteFormer corporate employee here: Tucson is totally controlled by Gannett. So are many other things you don't know about, such as LANG and BANG in California. Detroit News is a Gannett puppet also. El Paso, so many others. There is so much more no one understands. The finance department in USCP pulls the strings (ER are the initials). This is NOT an exaggeration.
ReplyDeleteJim- Please delete the above comment @ 1:29am. It divulges all our evil secrets. Thanks- Craig.
ReplyDelete@6:37 p.m. Thanks for the laugh!
ReplyDelete10:19, I believe all the layoffs are considered job eliminations - so they can rehire cheap under a different job title.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was laid off a month ago, the person calling me said specifically my job was eliminated. That's reassuring I wasn't really laid off; I just wouldn't have a job anymore!
ReplyDelete9:56 re Poughkeepsie is accurate. Dick Wager was a good reporter who ended up as a cynical, mean publisher who just wanted to put in his time and retire. Executive Committee at the time, which included D. Pinto, uses to go off topic a lot at meetings. As the highest paid people in the building, they would make fun of employee's looks, clothes, cars or in some cases, lack of a college education. They would sometimes talk openly about employee medical conditions and sometimes someone would snark about how much illnesses cost the company's insurance. Nice, huh, to have cancer and hear through the grapevine that you were nothing but a drain on the system. The tarot cards are gone, but the current leaders are no better. Bullies who lie to your face and stab you in the heart. In other words, standard operating procedure for top managers at Gannett. Poughkeespie also had its share very troubled people, like the late Chips Quinn, who gave his parents pride and heartache. If not for family connections, his behavior would have not been tolerated.
ReplyDelete