When
Jeff Goertzen quit the
Denver Post in November to become director of graphics for Gannett Digital and
USA Today, he was hailed as
one of the world’s leading infographic experts by
Mario Garcia, the globally influential newspaper designer.
Now, I'm told, Goertzen has suddenly left the job.
[
Updated at 11:47 a.m. ET. Feb. 16] On his Facebook page, Goertzen posted the following this morning:
 |
| Goertzen |
"As many of you may have heard by now, I no longer am employed by
USA Today/Gannett digital. In this industry that's changing constantly, the challenge to keep ahead of the game and implement strategies that are conducive to the ultimate goal can be daunting. Decisions and job descriptions can change on a dime. And so did the directives of my position and employment at
USA Today as art director. The decision, as explained to me, had nothing to do with my talent or abilities. There was no wrong doing."
He continues: "Unfortunately, this is how business is done now at
USA Today. The short time I spent there was, by far, the best moment in my career. And I have no regrets. It gave me awareness of how much more I was able to achieve and grow in my profession. That I did not fit in their plans in the end is unfortunate, but that's business. I wish
USA Today and Gannett Digital all the best and I thank the Lord for the opportunities he as blessed me with."
Also, designer and blogger
Charles Apple has
posted an extensive appreciation of Goertzen's work.
He was smart enough to realize he had made a mistake and ran as fast as he could.
ReplyDeleteGannett and design dont mix. SND and Mario Garcia skills are not welcomed. Not sure what Mr. Goertzen was thinking taking a job with a company that uses design centers to slap together its pages.
ReplyDeleteHave any top-notch designers signed on to one of the hubs? Guessing from some of the slop I've seen, that's a big no.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need a designer to fill a template. Just a pulse.
ReplyDeleteSee blog item on his departure here:
ReplyDeletehttp://apple.copydesk.org/2012/02/16/usa-today-and-art-director-jeff-goertzen-part-company-after-three-months/
Timing is everything.
ReplyDeleteGoertzen almost certainly would have interviewed with USAT's top editor, John Hillkirk, when this job was being filled last fall.
Whether he was to report directly to Hillkirk or to the No. 2 editor, Susan Weiss, who was responsible for content, is unclear.
Garcia says Goertzen's effective start date was Nov. 28.
Just two days later, we now know, the paper announced that Hillkirk was stepping down, effective immediately. Weiss has been acting editor since then while a national search for a permanent replacement.
What happened with Goertzen?
Here's an apparently talented guy, the sort of person USAT would struggle to attract these days, given all the upheaval at the paper.
Why change his responsibilities so soon after he arrived? Why not wait until a new editor comes in to assess the situation, rather than risk losing him?
More broadly, given the recent still-unexplained departures of Rudd Davis & Co., what are Hunke and Ellwood up to?
Why now?
Lots of gossip internally about his departure. they summoned him monday night when he was at the company health facility. he was just about to move his family from denver.
ReplyDeletethe whole saga is very strange and sordid.
When i think about all the dickwads and fuckups who should be fired from Usa Today this makes my blood boil. jeff is very talented.
ReplyDeleteClearly, Ellwood has begun to assert herself in a bigger way -- which is to be expected. After all, she's the boss now.
ReplyDeleteHe's talented and USAT was lucky to have him. So, of course he's gone.
ReplyDeleteThe worst run company on the planet. It gets more ridiculous every day.
ReplyDeleteShip of fools sinking under mismanagement.
ReplyDeleteJim, this wasnt a decision by ellwood, editorial or graphics dept. jeff reported to gannett digital.
ReplyDelete5:47 Yet, Jeff hardly referenced Digital in his Facebook statement today. Indeed, he wrote: "Unfortunately, this is how business is done now at USA Today."
ReplyDeleteSo, who did he report to at Gannett Digital; who there made the decision to send him packing, and who delivered that decision to him?
What a clusterF*ck of a company.....
ReplyDeleteI don't know precise details, but the callous manner in which he was let go sets a new low even for this tone deaf management team.
ReplyDeleteCan these people do anything right? Just being decent human beings once a month would be appreciated.
If he was let go in such a callous manner, I find the tone of his post interesting.
ReplyDelete12:36 Maybe Goertzen was just being gracious.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I'm now less certain that Ellwood was involved, and more persuaded that 5:47 is right.
There's a new sheriff in town. She's based in New York City, and her background is in digital consumer brand marketing and advertising.
Mims? Maybe she can explain this in her next travelogue newsletter.
ReplyDeleteBanikarim strikes again. It is her way or out the door as Payne, Hunke, Ellwood and the rest have learned the hard way. It gives one pause to wonder what 'goods' she has on Martore to assume such unchallenged misguided "leadership."
ReplyDelete