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Thursday, September 29, 2011
51 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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Today's the big day. Furlough time!
ReplyDeleteJust got a bill from Gannett for $3,900 for three months of insurance (August, September and October). My COBRA expired July 31. Called Gannett benefits they said no idea why I got billed. They said just ignore it. Okay. I wonder how many others got a surprise in the mail.
ReplyDelete9:19 PM yesterday said:
ReplyDelete"The Courier Post still has their group of pricey seats at Philadelphia Philllies games. Seats used mostly by the OC and other management do-nothings."
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That's right! The acting managing editor used to laugh during news meetings about he's never paid to see a Phillies game. And then there were those afternoons where the entire OC would mysteriously disappear when the Phillies were home.
And don't forget the exec ed complaining about when the business manager actually promised tickets he was supposed to get to a client! *gasp* Genie had to pay for himself to see a game! Oh, no!
8:37 AM "Acting Managing Editor"? The previous C-P ME got canned or resigned?
ReplyDeletewhat a bunch of petty bull...You writers are a joke. Who gives a hoot about tickets and other stuff like that. If you worked you way up to a top level manager job, you would going to games. Your like a bunch of old ladies
ReplyDeleteIt is not petty bull. it demonstrates the mindset of those overpaid people who use company resources (expensive) as if they are entitled while the real workers have lost their jobs and those remaining are worked to death while living in fear of being the next on the "cut" list. It's sad to watch these idiots fight over who gets the tickets for their own use. Perks like this should only be used on advertisers as a reward/thank you.
ReplyDeleteThere's more on the Gannett/Presswire deal on the SportsShooter website. A couple of posters are right on when they say it makes no sense. Worth reading for a photographer's perspective on this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=38929
How long has Amazon been in the daily deals business? I got an email from Amazon this morning promoting their "Amazonlocal" daily deal ($16 worth of food at a local sub shop for $8). It sounds a lot like DealChicken and can't be good news for the folks in G Town.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is piling on daily deals. Gannett just another late-comer to a very crowded room. What else is new? Silly, Gannett. You promote mediocre minds all the way to the top. You encourage mediocre performers and get rid of actual thinkers. Then you expect leading edge, agile innovation. Silly, silly Gannett. ha ha ha ha ha ha!
ReplyDeleteIt is not petty bull. it demonstrates the mindset of those overpaid people who use company resources (expensive) as if they are entitled while the real workers have lost their jobs and those remaining are worked to death while living in fear of being the next on the "cut" list. It's sad to watch these idiots fight over who gets the tickets for their own use. Perks like this should only be used on advertisers as a reward/thank you.
ReplyDelete9/29/2011 9:10 AM
You don't understand how Gannett corporate works, like it or not the local publisher/president has zero control of things like that, here in Phoenix, the Arizona Republic has a box at Chase Field - Diamondbacks, US Airways Arena - Suns & Unversity of Phoenix Stadium - Cardinals costing around $250K per year total, even if the president John Zidich wanted to cut that expensive he would not be allowed to because that is all done through corporate, so since it's being paid for anyway, you might as well make use of it.
I've been out of the loop: what, exactly, is supposed to happen today? Furlough announcements? For just USCP or the whole shebang?
ReplyDelete10:56 You really haven't missed anything.
ReplyDeleteAn anonymous poster left a comment several days ago, saying there would be some sort of announcement today. No details.
At the moment, I'm treating it as totally unconfirmed speculation.
Pricey seats are a choice at the individual newspaper level. The majority of the remaining boxes/tickets are intertwined with trade deals. Or, if box is not purchased, advertiser would reduce spending significantly.
ReplyDelete10:56 here again - thanks for the clarification, Jim! We'd all be clueless without you.
ReplyDeleteI hear that there is supposed to be a big meeting at 11:00 this morning at the Palm Springs paper.
ReplyDeleteDoes this have to.do with the rumored big announceement today? We shall see.
Even if expensive seats to sports events are somehow a necessary expense, it's still disgusting that OC-level folks cut out early to use them and complain when they can't get them. Maybe they should try using them to help drum up business or try sharing with the rank-and-file to increase morale.
ReplyDeleteAs for the "acting managing editor" mentioned about the Courier-Post earlier: No, he's still there. It's just that he doesn't actually perform as a managing editor, so he's just "acting."
11:32 Probably a coincidence: A reader says their worksite is scheduled to have a meeting by telephone at 2 p.m. ET. (That, of course, is 11 a.m. Palm Springs time.)
ReplyDeleteOK, here we go. big meeting. all hands.
ReplyDeleteYou're being sarcastic, right Jim? No coincidence there. Ours is at 1:00.
ReplyDeleteJim, no coincidence. Company wide announcement. No furlough. New division.
ReplyDeleteI've just been told one piece of news that may be announced today. It's not about furloughs, or any broad layoffs.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I can't say more because I will get a source in trouble. Sorry.
1:49 Our comments just missed each other. Yes: That -- a new division -- is what I've been told about.
ReplyDeleteSomeone gave you a tip a few days ago and it languished on the digital floor. Today I get the news directly from Gannett first. Before the blog. That speaks volumes as to the value of this blog. It also says a great deal about your resources. Those are the facts and I will leave it at that as I would rather not become judgmental.
ReplyDeleteJim, you might want to track the corporate jet. They went somewhere very interesting this week.
ReplyDeleteThe bigwigs are on the Fort Myers leg of their tour today. Doubt there's gonna be some big announcement with them out and about.
ReplyDeleteSo, 2:45, are you going to let the rest of us in on it, or not?
ReplyDelete2:45, if you think the blog has no value, save yourself time and stop reading it and post comments that don't add value.
ReplyDeleteWho says 2:45 thinks the blog has no value? Sounds like they are dropping a tip for Jim to investigate.
ReplyDeleteTracking the corporate jet sounds like a pretty good idea.
You might think about checking your e-mail before you point fingers at @2:45.
ReplyDeleteI must not work at a Gannett property privy to that information, then, because it's definitely not in my email.
ReplyDeleteYou all have no idea what power this blog holds. We can take back our company if we all work together. I don't think it's too late. Everyone and everything must be exposed.
ReplyDeleteJim, was this the big announcement?
ReplyDeleteAn email with two attachments going out to all employees at once would sink our servers. I'm not saying they DIDN'T send them all at once, just that it's not prudent.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't seen it yet it's possible it's still coming, you're irrelevant and not part of the distribution list, or you're one of the 20 getting canned. Thanks for your service, etc etc.
3:59 Yes, I assume.
ReplyDelete3:53, you won't take back anything. No one here will do anything but rant.
ReplyDeleteIf the complainers here had EVER bothered even to file formal complaints with the various agencies about all the crap that has happened, there would be at least a written history, a paper trail, and maybe a small chance of outside action.
Instead, you chose to post complaints and attacks here. Sorry, those change nothing.
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ReplyDeleteLayoffs, other changes today in Cincinnati for USA Today people.
ReplyDelete4:07 two days ago you and your pals were complaining about the number of top level managers. Now unfortunately a few are gone. Now you complain about that. Just plain haters
ReplyDeleteI don't think 4:07 was complaining about managers being let go. I don't think 4:07 had any commentary about the layoffs other than to show the ungracious way Gannett lets people go. "Thanks for your service, blah, blah, blah,"
ReplyDeleteSi 6:18 let's have a real discussion. What would you say to a member of your team that isn't what you call blah blah? You have to deliver bad news, the worst news. What would you say? And don't bail and say you wouldn't let them go. What would you say that would make our colleagues feel better? I've had to deliver that message and it is awful. Not as awful as hearing it but awful just the same. Please, tell me what you'd say.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most hyped blog;
ReplyDeletelayoffs are coming,
pay cuts are on the way, and furloughs, No.
this from a great source.
Hold your own, also management cut down soon!
@7:00... I'd like to know the same. It is a terrible deed that I too have had to do. What can you say that doesn't ring false? I've honestly cried afterwards, in private. I still care, despite it all, and others at my site do too. Our daily is still relevant and decently-profitable, but corporate decisions are hurting us. Is bailing the only option?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWe were chatting about Pete Zanmiller just the other day, weren't we?http://shreveporttimes.com/article/20110929/NEWS05/110929018/Gannett-launches-Gannett-Publishing-Services
ReplyDeleteClass act moves forward.
New division or consolidation? What is going away? Maybe that was the big Thursday announcement. No press release yet, what gives?
ReplyDeletePete Zanmiller is probably one of the best publishers this company has ever known. Best of luck to him.
ReplyDeletePete was a great production director, not so much a great publisher. So he is back in the kind of role the he is best in. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteHey 7:00 and 8:18 So you were burdened by having to fire employees. It wasn't your decision we all get that- you've cried privately- Bravo. Have either of you made any attempt to speak to those you've let go since? Have you called them or e-mailed to see what you could do to help them move on with their lives? Or have you swept their memories under the rug? This goes out to everyone who have seen their co-workers let go. A phone call once in a while goes a long way in their lives.
ReplyDelete2:22 - Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWow, 2:22, I made the prediction that time would tell whether or not Pete was one of the best publishers in Gannett and you said you didn't think so? Considering revenue at The Times is down by more than 50 percent after his departure as publisher LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO, I'd say you were WRONG. It didn't take as long as I thought it would to prove my point. I hear he's now left Gannett and has found a very profitable gig in his hometown. Good for you, PZ!! You were way too smart to stay in Gannett, a dying company. Godspeed.
ReplyDelete