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.)
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
61 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)
Mr. Hunke is expected to make an announcement today.
ReplyDeleteBe careful what you wish for!
DeleteRandell Beck in Sioux Falls. What the hell? Found out today during an early retirement party that I work for the lord - he said " thank you for doing the Lord's work". He is so full of himself. Someone please make him retire!
ReplyDeleteRob Gatto has been telling his senior leadership that he will be stepping down as CEO and leaving Pointroll. He is apparently taking another job that will "get him away from Gannett as far as possible"
ReplyDeleteMr. Gatto held a few one-on-one meetings with individuals to tell them that Gannett, through their investigation, have agreed that he should look for other employment.
The strange thing is Gannett wants him to stay long enough to transition and hopefully help find a successor.
Either way, what has happened to Pointroll is sad and I squarely blame the lack of leadership at the top. It would be wise for Sarah Ripmaster to leave too.
S
I hope you were getting the lord's paycheck at the same time.
ReplyDelete"Lord'a work" is a time-honored euphemism for journalism. Somewhat self important, sure, but hardly exclusive to Mr. Beck. What, did you graduate j-school last week?
ReplyDelete7:02 why don't you sign your responses as "apologist" instead of "anonymous?"
ReplyDeleteInstagram sold for 1 billion dollars and now has 10 employees!
ReplyDeleteThat is Gannett's model.
Employees..we don't need no stinken employees!
Layoffs coming ,we all know they are.I have plan B ready to roll.
But I'll bet the house there are still those who believe they are gold and could never be layed off and will be shocked when it comes.
Even after 3 years of the same scerario.Oh brother!
8:12, what is plan B? You told everyone you left Gannett 2 years ago and are now making six-figures.
ReplyDeleteEven after what seems like 3 years of the same post out of you. Oh brother!
What?
ReplyDelete8:29, you're confusing posters. I never write in tortured haiku. And the Plan B you refer to is now my Plan A, and has been for two years running now since I was laid off.
ReplyDeleteBeen working out just great. So nice to be away from Gannett, and getting treated (and compensated) like a real professional with skills, for a change. Thanks for checking in.
From a reader (probably soon to be former) and his e-mailed in complaint...
ReplyDeleteWhere is my paper !!!! Who is my carrier !~!!!Why can't I talk to a real person on your telephone number !!!!!
@9:14 I laughed out loud when I read your post.
ReplyDeleteTry hiding behind “time-honored” euphemisms as you will 7:02 AM, but the fact is Beck’s words were well out of line for today’s workplace. If HR hasn’t already taken him aside to remind him, they should.
ReplyDelete10:02, find something actually important to get yourself all worked up about.
ReplyDeleteThe only announcement that Hunke is going to make is that he'll be out for several weeks following a liver transplant. In the meantime, Susie and a few interns will hold down the fort.
ReplyDeleteDrink much???!!
Delete9:13, I have no idea who you are, but you sure aren't 8:12, and I have no idea why you would pretend to be.
ReplyDeleteThat was my point, 9:13.
ReplyDeleteNot worked up at all 10:13 AM, just stating a well-known fact and that if left unchecked, Beck’s words could ultimately result in charges of discrimination and/or the creation of a hostile work environment, followed by a potential lawsuit. It happens in America all the time and it cost companies like Gannett money regardless of the outcome.
ReplyDeleteIf Gannett’s HR rep and others above Beck know what he said (and of any other acts of his that lean that way) and fail to act, then there are potential consequences for them too. Now, that would get people worked up.
But hey, roll the dice in an environment where people already feel their jobs are threatened.
10:02 AM
David Hunke Named Chairman of USA TODAY, Will Retire in September
ReplyDelete
MarketWatch (press release) - 15 minutes ago
MCLEAN, Va., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) announced today that David Hunke, president and publisher of USA TODAY, ...
Leaders at Gannett and USA Today have created an environment where layoffs and threats of layoffs (not innovation, journalism or readership) are the dominant topic in the minds of employees. It has been this way for three years. It's not good for business. It's not good for anyone's health. This has become a toxic company for most worker ants and a gold mine for the 1 percent calling the shots and creating all the instability. Friends and colleagues disappear at an alarming rate. There is no end to furloughs and no help for existing employees stretched thin by ever-increasing workloads.
ReplyDeleteJournalism is a tough enough profession without these constant dark clouds hanging over our heads. We work into the wee hours on 10, 12 and 14-hour shifts. We work during snowstorms and holidays and deal with the stress of constant deadlines. We don't make much money, and those who do earn a bit more because of seniority, have a huge bullseye on their backs.
qqGannett leaders have made things far worse by mishandling both the business and human end of things during the economic downturn.
As long as this dynamic continues, Gannett and USA Today won't have a very bright future.
At this Midwest Gannetter's paper there have been no changes since the rah-rah corporate video promo of a couple of months ago where we were going to tke the lead and re-dedicate ourselves to proving our expertise and command of the genre.
ReplyDeleteNo meetings, though they were mentioned, no initiatives, just talk about talking about change.
Sound familiar, y'all?
Give 12:30 AM some props for being correct.
ReplyDelete11:29
ReplyDeleteI agree the economic condition sucks, but layoffs are a reality at many corporations over the last 3 -5 years. I fail to see how they could have avoided it. The truth of the world of business right now is losses cannot and will not be tolerated by wall street. It sucks but it's the only reality here. Our industry (print) has been destroyed by new technology and cheap media. If you had the answers you should have spoken up.
Well said 11:29 - Hope your words are heeded and any current employees reading this are in full job search mode.
ReplyDelete12:01, yes, it sounds all too familiar to this fellow Midwesterner. But I am not surprised.
ReplyDeleteThe EROP people are not out the door of the Cincinnati Enquirer yet and a recruitment rep was already laid off this morning.
ReplyDeleteHey Jim,
ReplyDeleteThought you might want to report on something a little more interesting. Regarding Tom Beusse's past:
http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/opinions/04d0153p.pdf
"I agree the economic condition sucks, but layoffs are a reality at many corporations over the last 3 -5 years. I fail to see how they could have avoided it. The truth of the world of business right now is losses cannot and will not be tolerated by wall street ..."
ReplyDeleteYes, but you're conveniently leaving out the part about the Gannett's most senior leaders making big money grabs at the expense of the company, by shipping out talent by the thousands. They're personally profiting at the expense of the company's products. What's Wall Street think about that?
Gannett DELETED:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/10/idUSASA03YCP20120410?feedType=RSS&feedName=cyclicalConsumerGoodsSector&rpc=43
If only it were true!
Well said, 11:29 and 12:47. And thank God Hunke is finally out the door.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Layoffs are rampant in other industries as well. I left Gannett over a year ago and promptly landed on my feet (not a journalist). The industry I'm now in has some of the same issues. Lots of the larger companies are laying off in large numbers. I went to the "retirement" ceremony for one of the folks offered early retirement yesterday and it was bittersweet. I saw lots of people I had worked with for several years, but just as many who were gone. They were happy to see me, but I also heard the same song everyone else is singing.
ReplyDeleteIf your website has posted Rick Santorum's exit from the Republican race, count your blessings. Yours is one of the leaders, able to react on a moment's notice to huge breaking news.
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteDid Tom Bussee really get charged with sexual harassment at his old job??
To Tom, its not about the past. its about the next 10 minutes.
DeleteNo time to post Santorum story. Busy learning CCI Newsgate.
ReplyDeleteNo, the Fond du Lac Reporter does not have the Santorum story on its website. But it does have Donald Driver kicking ass on Dancing with the Stars.
ReplyDelete11:29 were have you been? Nothing has changed in 3 years, Your post is way out dated. We all have been talking about this crap forever. Did you just get hired by Gannett? Jeez
ReplyDeleteWord is out, in the shake up in Indy, The Publisher in Lafayette, In. is gone as well.
ReplyDeleteHi it's me Todd. I posted in the last life of the Gannett Blog.
ReplyDeleteBut I am now back, and WTF has happened here ? Discuss real issues dealing with real newspapers.
And by the way has...Krista Mueller saved the Journal News ????-Answer---NOT!!! CIRCULATION AT 25,000.
If the Journal News was a horse--they would have shot it 7 years ago!!!
That's a nice start in Indiana.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a wave of publishers and exec. editors will be removed.
Call it 'community improvement'.
Todd again. Can anyone tell me where the main reason why the Journal News has tanked in the last 5 years has gone ? Namely Tony " boom boom" Simmons has gone, and did he take his people with him?
ReplyDeleteThank you in advance.
This is Todd, and I approve this email!
Todd
ReplyDeleteWere have you been? The fat asses in charge of running this company into the ground took your paper and turned it into a rag, like all the other GCI papers
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteTodd, welcome back from prison
ReplyDelete3:11 It's Todd, and I hear you. What a shame, this was once a very proud newspaper, yet local it provided very current news for all residents in Westchester County, Rockland County, Putnam and Dutchess counties.
ReplyDeleteToday, quite simply it is a joke, and whoever is running this horror show, just resign. Tony "Boom Boom" Simmons will give you a job in Kentucky. And HE should never , ever have been in the position he held, as the Asbury Park Press fired him??? Question becomes ---AND JIM LET'S GET THIS ANSWERED--PLEASE!!!!!!! How can this man still be employed by a company who is trying desperately to get rid of incompetence??? ANSWER PLEASE______________
Two veterans of the news business in Wisconsin are about to retire. Good luck to them. Check out the link: http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20120410/FON0101/204100336/75-years-news-business-coming-an-end-2-Reporter-editors-retire?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
ReplyDelete3:19 No I haven't worked for Gannett in 8 years---so I've been out of prison for 8 years----Please get current with your posts.
ReplyDeleteThis is Todd and I approve this message.
@3:30 p.m. I had the pleasure of working with both gentlemen, and they are gems. Smart, funny, articulate, well versed at their craft and not afraid to work nights. Not too many left like that in the business. I hope they're both happy in their "retirement."
ReplyDeleteAt today's $14.30 closing price, the dividend yield on GCI shares has climbed to 5.6%.
ReplyDeleteThe average yield for the S&P 500 us 2.01%, according to this site.
ReplyDeleteFort Myers posted Santorum. And manages to stay on top of lots of things. Have some pride. Things may be bad, recognize what you can change, what you can't, get out if you can't handle the day-to-day, but, please, quit the snarky, whiny BS.
ReplyDeleteTom and Mike in Fondy are great guys, always concerned with their audience and their craft. Glad both could get out and enjoy life on the outside.
ReplyDeleteazcentral.com also had the Santorum news posted immediately. That site is well maintained.
ReplyDeleteSo what if your paper site had the Santorum news. So did Yahoo and probably most News sources. People don't care about that from a local paper they want in depth coverage of local issues. Digital won't make Gannett more profitable.
ReplyDeleteGannett has wasted to much money on Digital properties. They should have stopped with Carreerbuilder and Cars.com. They still make most of their profits from print. They will never be as profitable as they could have been after they kill print.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, even when you get let go they send in some specialist to deny you benefits, and unemployment. What a cold heartless company Gannett is. I can't see why anyone would want to be associated with them.
ReplyDeleteWhy were you let go?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete5:50 Outsourcing. It doesn't matter what happened to me it is all about Gannett, and GPS. They don't want to pay out the supplemental pay and they bring in a specialist to reduce what they should pay out. Hope you never see her.
ReplyDelete