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Monday, October 10, 2011
39 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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Woot! First!
ReplyDeleteWhen is the third quarter report due?
ReplyDeleteHas any site shown an increase in revenue this quarter? I know that without seeing the monthly reports it is hard to judge,however if there is an increase in ad inches it should be fairly obvious.
Are there any educated guesses?
Time for OCCUPY GANNETT?
ReplyDeleteA $37M payout for the man who ran the company into the ground?
How many of us lost friends to layoffs while he enjoyed the fruits of our labors? How many of us had to put off necessities or had to put our kids into less expensive colleges so he could continue to live high on the hog?
This is abominable. There needs to be a reaction. Nobody else is going to do it. It's up to us.
Make a point. Be heard. Do it. Now.
(Yes, I'm signing this "anonymous." I need to find out what kind of support a movement like this has. We need numbers first, then names.)
Blog must be out of order.
ReplyDeleteLayoffs are starting today at the St Pete Times. This sucks because this paper is owned by the non profit Poynter
ReplyDeletehttp://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/148910/layoffs-follow-pay-cut-at-poynters-st-petersburg-times/#more-148910
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the legal threats about certain posts: it's certainly possible that these posts are generated by Gannett in order to feed the argument that the blog is hostile and needs to be shut down.
ReplyDeleteLet's face it - the blog is a problem for a company that has thrived on keeping damaging information exchange between locations at a minimum.
11:25 is right. Because of the nature of anonymous posting and knowing Jim doesn't track IP addresses, how do we know it's not corporate trolls making the most outrageous posts in an effort to subvert this blog?
ReplyDeleteBecause it's not, 12:21. I say that with absolute certainty, based purely on sense.
ReplyDelete9:49, no one here is going to participate in something like that. I signed on for one of those grass-roots efforts before, and nothing ever came of it. I asked the guy who was leading it what happened, and he said the response was abysmal.
According to him, all people did was bitch about how it would do no good, or how it needed to be at some other location. The last part was particularly galling, he said, because he was quite clear that people would have to step up and lead a gathering at other locations. No one wanted to do it.
12:34 How can you know "with absolute certainty" that these posts aren't from pro-management readers trying to advance the company's interests?
ReplyDeleteThese kind of shenanigans aren't unprecedented. In one of the most famous cases, Whole Foods' CEO, John Mackey, was caught using the pseudonym "Rahodeb" (an anagram of his wife's name, Deborah) to post to Yahoo Finance forums. He referred to himself in the third person and criticized rival supermarket chain Wild Oats Markets. The SEC investigated, and eventually cleared Mackey of wrongdoing. But the episode certainly tarnished his reputation.
Finally, there's this.
Long ago -- just before I took a long break from blogging starting July 20, 2009 -- an anonymous reader posted the following comment:
"Might as well admit it in the last 5 minutes. Yes, Gannett paid people to trash the blog. And it was worth every penny. Easiest. Work. Ever. P.S.: If Jim extends the blog, you never read this."
Why would someone presumably pro-management admit something like that? I have no idea. It's extremely hard to believe. Perhaps it was a joke. Or maybe they just couldn't resist what they thought would be a final jab.
I should add, of course, that some of my overzealous supporters could be posting these sort of reverse-psychology comments in order to make management look bad.
ReplyDeleteJim, I'm not going to waste time playing the "prove that it isn't" game. When you do that frequently, you undercut your credibility seriously, and I don't think you realize that.
ReplyDeleteThat July 2009 post is an unusual one. I assume someone was playing games. If I remember correctly, you made yourself a target for a lot of things like that.
For the record, Jim might not be recording IP addresses, but Google (via the Blogspot platform) certainly is.
ReplyDeleteIf it came down to it, a subpoena would get Google to cough up the identifying information for any posts that require legal action.
2:30 That is true for every company operating a website -- including Gannett. Here's the boilerplate from GCI's privacy policy, according to USA Today's site:
ReplyDelete"Please be aware that we may occasionally release information about visitors if required to do so by law or if, in our business judgment, such disclosure is reasonably necessary: (a) to comply with legal process; (b) to enforce our Terms of Service; or (c) to protect the rights, property, or personal safety of our Site, us, our affiliates, our officers, directors, employees, representatives, our licensors, other users, and/or the public."
Poynter has been on the financial and quality skids for some time (and St. Pete Times is not what it was either). At least Poynter's Rick Edmonds can admit a mistake when he makes one - he thought moms like me would succeed. Though he should know better than his slap at "anonymous Eeyores who dominate Gannett Blog’s comment threads." This guy is still making a nice salary from money-losing Poynter while Gannett laid off 20,000 souls who earned a lot less - while the bigwigs make off like bandits. If he got laid off, he'd be a donkey too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.poynter.org/latest-news/business-news/the-biz-blog/148866/whats-next-for-gannett-after-ceo-resigns-momslikeme-network-shuttered-on-same-day/
Occupy Gannett -
ReplyDeleteCount me in !
Yeah -- one anonymous poster known only by time of post is in! Gannett must be shaking in its boots!
ReplyDeleteWhy not just quit.No one is forcing you work for this for profit corporation.You are helping them reap thier profits and I assume being paid for your services.
ReplyDeleteThere's a plan,quit and start a movement.
Jim, i still am looking for names of the managers laid of/ let go. You noted the VP of circ in Louisville, so who are the other 19?
ReplyDeleteHere's some ideas for your movement that I think would be better served and more worthwhile. I would gladly get behind you on anyone of these.
ReplyDeleteI pledge to:
1.Stop eating processed foods, smoking and drinking that does not serve my body well and that will ultimately cause me health problems down the road and make companies who produce these products as well as doctors and pharmaceutical companies rich at my expense. (I’m sure they're all laughing all the way to the bank because of our lifestyles).
2. Not buy things I can’t afford just to impress my friends and family. I truly am the only one I need to impress through my own personal goals and accomplishments.
3. Only buy things I need vs. things I want
4. Pay off my credit cards or stay debit free and put a portion of my pay into savings even if it’s a very small amount. (you’ll feel more in control, less stressed and less fearful of changes in the world when you have a chunk of change in the bank and virtually no debt)
5. Make payments on time to keep my credit score high so can get the best rates on insurance, loans and be able to say good bye to the bank who decides they want to start charging me fees (I haven’t paid bank or ATM fees in years).
6. Lose weight and eat a healthy diet to maintain that weight
7. Eliminate two or three dinners out with family and use that money for a gym membership instead.
8. Vote for the politician that shares my same morals and ideals and not just because they belong to either the Democrat or Republican Party. They should be able to handle their own finances as well. If they can’t, they have no business being in office.
9. Only listen to an hour worth of news a day. Much of it is negative anyway and only instills fear that does not serve us well.
10. Once months read a self help book, take a class or learn something new that will improve my skills and expand my knowledge.
3:52 is that the only recourse to hold a public company accountable for mismanagement? For its employees to quit? I hope this younger generation will do what the Boomers did in the 1960's...call BullShit on what is wrong and not simply take the easy road.
ReplyDeleteThis corporate greed is flat out wrong. And it's spread widely throughout the U.S.
Even the most content Gannett employee surely can see that.
9:08 The third quarter financial report is to be released a week from today, before U.S. stock markets open at 9:30 a.m. ET.
ReplyDeleteCorporations exist solely to make a PROFIT.Without this drive for profit there are no jobs ,no reasons to hire people.Corporations and small businesses for that matter, are created for one reason ...to be make a profit. No venture is started with the goal of losing money.
ReplyDeleteThis is what drives the marketplace.Corporations and small business owners risk everything for that reason only. They must produce their products or services at a lesser cost than they sell them for.Profit.
This is capitalism.Would you risk perhaps your life savings to start a business with any other goal.Some companies are happy with less profit than others and are more caring of employees than Gannett. So my point about quitting is just that .Quit and find reasonable employer.
From: A small business owner who is happy with less profit and even happier employees.
11:25 - I am the one that posted about libelous and slanderous comments towards the Indy publisher. And I am the one that took issue with the wish for suffering to CD. And I am the one that called out the baseless claims of "criminal" activity. I am not pro-management, nor in management. I am proud to work for Gannett. You may not be able to comprehend that there are still those of us that are proud, but deal with it. Do I agree with everything? Hell no. And I disagree more with the lack of civility to which you haters stoop. And it is YOU that has awakened my sense of duty to provide an objective and thoughtful discourse. Consistently, you play the victims of unjustness. Yet you fail to be able to objectively support your claims. As former journalists, which many of you purport to be, I am astounded with the lack of thoroughness in your "reporting". It would be easy for me take the low road, or be "potty-mouthed" as Jim has chosen to defend some here, but I couldn't look myself in the mirror. See, I hold myself accountable, not others, as so many of you do. I wish you could exhibit the same self- discipline. Seacrest out!
ReplyDeleteBTW 4:54 - you nailed it.
ReplyDeleteI was at Gannett corporate at the time and I know for a fact that both employees and non-employees were encouraged/paid (respectively) to discredit this blog.
ReplyDelete6:46 - I won't refute your statement as it would be without knowledge of facts. I can assure you, however, that I am acting completely independent and free from any type of accusations you recklessly cast. You read all of the posts I acknowledge and I dare you to call out any subjectivity.
ReplyDelete6:35 My reference to potty-mouthed posters was a criticism -- not a defense.
ReplyDeleteApplause to Cincinnati Enquirer for running four-day-old photographs of the Taste of the NFL as the lead photo gallery on its home page. The event was four days ago. Oh, yes, I forgot, the pics feature nubile blondes.
ReplyDelete6:46 you are full of crap. No one has ever been paid to post here. Provide specific names if you have proof. Jim you continue to allow this stupid rumor to persist. If you think it's true then prove it. How low does this crap have to go. Geez
ReplyDeleteCrotchfelt is the best publisher ever. She is very considerate and she has increased revenue sources and contributed to the growth of the Star. She is kind and thinks all the employees at the Star are valuable assets to the company. She has had many sleepless night during all of the layoffs and consolidations.
ReplyDeleteGee Whiz Wally, she sounds like a Saint. Maybe she should be nominated for a Pulitzer.
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!
Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!
When I'm stuck a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow!
I love ya
Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!
I feel sooooooo much better after I posted comment. This is what we really need to post when Publishers/GMC/Board of Dir continue to ravage the company for personal gains.
Goodnight John Boy.
Take them to task Jim - "potty-mouthed" is how I talk to my kids. Vulgar, dispicable, deplorable, those words are reserved for the Indy publisher comments. Maybe we should wash their mouths out with soap while we are at it.
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteSome details of the St. Pete cuts might be good to know. Maybe just department numbers? This way we can see what areas are adjusting and where they protected staff numbers. Thanks for anything. Could help as we look at Gannett's next wave.
What's with bashing Karen C? So she is tough. You don't take the tough guys to task. Soothe tough journalists can't handle a female boss? Get over it already. She is good at what she does.
ReplyDelete8:58 p.m. Really? What initiative did KC launch to replace Metromix and what is new suburban strategy that she told the IBJ she would launch in the fall?
ReplyDeleteI see a pattern. When interviewed by the IBJ, Karen C. says she has strategic initiatives in the works but can’t elaborate citing competitive reasons. I’m still waiting for these “top secret” plans to materialize. Anyone? Buehler?
ReplyDeleteThere are no top secret plans materializing. They will cut and furlough until there is nothing left. Anyone who believes otherwise is a fool. The newspaper is not a product like an automobile or a computer than can reinvent itself. It is what it is. A dinosaur. They will rape and pillage this company until there is nothing left. If you think it's going to change, you're kidding yourself.
ReplyDeleteCan we please get some real information instead of all the BS. That's why we are here Jim, not for posts that say nothing and mean nothing. We want the inside info of what is happening. We haven't had a reliable source for months. Who is stepping up to the plate to take My Boss's position? We used to be able to know things before they happenened. Now they happen and we still know nothing. We need investigative journalism at it's best. All we get are commentaries we don't care to read or know about.
ReplyDeleteYou do a great job, Jim and most here and beyond appreciates your efforts! Thanks and keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete