In an e-mail, a marketing industry professional noted that Corporate still hasn't filled an opening for Gannett's head of communications, a job Robin Pence held for more than two years until she moved into another position three months ago.
Is money the problem? The professional thinks the job will pay half what I estimate.
Corporate may still be looking for applicants. The job -- vice president/corporate communications -- reports to Chief Marketing Officer Maryam Banikarim. As recently as Monday, she told her 357 Twitter followers: "I'm hoping you guys might know of someone who would be excited to join the Corporate Communications Team at Gannett."
It's one of GCI's most high-profile jobs. This veep will work directly with CEO Gracia Martore and other members of the Gannett Management Committee. Plus, according to the job description:
Now, it's your turn. How much do you think the communications job pays? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.
It's one of GCI's most high-profile jobs. This veep will work directly with CEO Gracia Martore and other members of the Gannett Management Committee. Plus, according to the job description:
- Manage all executive communications including speech writing, preparing scripts and talking points, and public presentations for events such as analyst and shareholders meetings.
- Serve as Gannett’s chief spokesperson, managing routine media relations issues and particularly on matters of crisis communication.
- Develop Gannett’s overall communication strategy and oversee all external media relations to achieve favorable coverage, increase shareholder value, and advance Gannett’s strategic transformation.
- Develop and implement a strategy of open communication with Gannett’s employees, ensuring they receive timely and accurate information about the company -- its goals and accomplishments through all available channels including direct communication, the corporate intranet and company blog.
Now, it's your turn. How much do you think the communications job pays? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.
If people are thinking it's some huge $200,000 or above figure, I say they're wrong. This is Gannett after all.
ReplyDeleteAlso: I have direct knowledge of positions that people who have had this kind of position have applied for after leaving. If positions applied for is an accurate reflection of the position held, then it's far, far under $200K. Above $100K though. But not way, way above.
People shouldn't take it if is less than 200, plus at least 20% bonus, stocks, etc. Finding a talent to act as press secretary for any major publically traded company should be keen on that.
ReplyDeleteShould be a $150,000- $200,000 job but they won't pay it. Gannett's payroll for Corp Marketing has grown substantially with the addition of CMO Banikarim, a new Pres of Sales, a bunch of VP's under Banikarim and an assortment of PR agencies.
ReplyDeleteThe first poster suggests he has some inside info. And others seem to think that the pay will be lower because Gannett is cheap.
ReplyDeleteBut isn't the opposite more likely to be true: that Gannett would underpay the rank-and-file, but overpay a corporate VP?
So for a VP, working directly with the CEO, on the East Coast, for a large publicly traded company, I'm saying $250-300K.
I like the website GlassDoor.com
ReplyDeleteIt lets people comment about their current job title, salary, and company.
You can look up jobs and see what people make. Even more fun is to see what employees have to say about their respective company.
I think the site even rates companies based on input from employees.
I'm wondering why 357 people feel the need to follow our wonderful CMO in Twitter. Does she post links to her groundbreaking "On the Road" column?
ReplyDeleteSorry John, but what "should" be doesn't make for what is. There's a perception from rank and file -- especially outside the CP -- that salaries there are much, much better than they are. (Not talking about the highest levels of management here.)
ReplyDeletePosition would be a very respectable paying one into low six figures, I'd say. I'd be surprised if it got close to $200K.
Hilton Hotels , down the street from Gannett in McLean, has a similar job open.
ReplyDeleteI'd take the Hilton job over this one any day.
Of course you would. But then again neither company would hire you so I guess you really don't have to worry
DeleteRobin Pence is still here? Doing what? Banikarim fired Ed Cassidy but kept Pence? That makes no sense at all. Outrageous!
ReplyDeleteThe woman tweets. The woman is " on the road " once a month. The woman hires all of her out of work friends. And, and, and what else does Banikarim do? I forgot.
ReplyDeleteBanikarim is an outrage. She has done NOTHING but shamelessly promote herself since she got to GCI one year ago. Nothing!
ReplyDeleteShe has pushed more news stories about herself than she has gotten coverage about more important execs who actually contribute to the business. She promotes herself because she knows she needs to be one step ahead of being found out and she needs to land her next gig before Gracia and others wake up and get rid of her. That's probably why they can't hire someone. The word's getting out that Banikarim is a fraud. It's coming on a year since she arrived. Let's start getting a dialog going on what she has done to promote herself and how little she has accomplished for the business.
8:39. You nailed it when it comes to Banikarim. Enough of her. Get a real CMO in the job.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhy not just put an under worked , overpaid editor from USA Today in this post? There are plenty to chose from. They know what it's like to be second guessed and questioned. They also know how to say a lot without really saying anything at all. In other words, the perfect flak candidate.
ReplyDeleteBanikarim is not long for this company. Eventually, all the backwoods nest feathering and public posturing catches up with you. All the on the road crap and outside consultants and cozy hirings of friends mean nothing if you don't enhance the bottom line. I give her another year, tops.
ReplyDelete10:13 You posted a comment describing what you say were the circumstances surrounding Pence's leaving her job as vice president of corporate communications.
ReplyDeleteBut much of what you wrote, while interesting, is unsubstantiated.
For example, Pence is still a Gannett employee, according to her LinkedIn profile. She says she's vice president, special projects, in a newly created position with responsibility for strategic communications.
To be sure, I'll concede it's unusual for a Gannett vice president to use a Yahoo account as an e-mail address for business purposes, as she does on LinkedIn.
But those are the on-the-record public facts.
I vote for Heidi Zimmerman. She already knows the job and the masters of the universe at the CP. at the end of the day, the message is whatever spin senior management wants anyway.
ReplyDeleteIf pence was making anything over $100,000 it's a complete outrage.
ReplyDeleteA more important question is how much will they be paying Hillkirk's replacement, and when will they hire her?
ReplyDeleteSpecial projects? I'm guessing she is handling all the arrangements for the 30th anniversary party.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, Heidi Zimmerman isn't up to the job. No spine when it comes to internal or media relations and she can only run to Banikarim with what do I say now, what do I say now? The media eats her alive with her "no comments" or complete lack of response which is why most if not all prefer to call the newsroom or the execs directly. We need a strong and far more seasoned PR flak to take on the media which is ready to pounce on every bad decision made daily around here.
ReplyDeleteThen why is heidi director of p.r for usa today? If she is merely a gannett shill who touts the company line she is uniquely qualified for pence's job?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Hillkirk, is he more engaged in his new job than he was as editor of the papet?
ReplyDeleteThe media eats Heidi alive? One Inquiry she didnt respond to and that eating her alive? Seriously?
ReplyDelete