Corporate just issued the following statement:
Dave Hunke, 60, president and publisher of USA Today, has been named chairman of USA Today. He will serve as chairman until the end of September 2012 when he will retire from Gannett. As chairman, he will work on strategic projects for USA Today and help with the transition to new leadership.
Gannett is conducting a search for a publisher to succeed Hunke, which will be coordinated with the current search for an editor in chief for USA Today.
Susie Ellwood, executive vice president and general manager at USA Today, will be responsible for USA Today's day-to-day operations, with USA Today Sports Media Group and USA Weekend reporting to her. Ellwood will report to Gracia Martore.
The Detroit Media Partnership and the Detroit Free Press, which reported to Hunke, will now report to Bob Dickey, president of U.S. Community Publishing.
Corporate did not provide Ellwood's age. But according to her LinkedIn profile, she graduated from Arkansas State University in 1974, making her about 60.
Related links
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| Hunke |
Gannett is conducting a search for a publisher to succeed Hunke, which will be coordinated with the current search for an editor in chief for USA Today.
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| Ellwood |
The Detroit Media Partnership and the Detroit Free Press, which reported to Hunke, will now report to Bob Dickey, president of U.S. Community Publishing.
Corporate did not provide Ellwood's age. But according to her LinkedIn profile, she graduated from Arkansas State University in 1974, making her about 60.
Related links
- Maryam Banikarim gains control of USAT ad sales
- Tom Beusse poses first major challenge to paper's "founders"
- An ever-growing list of vice presidents
- A recap of the Rudd Davis saga
- Hunke's last known annual pay: $2.5 million (2010)
- John Hillkirk steps down as top editor
- Ellwood named paper's No. 2 executive
- Al Neuharth writes stinging letter to Hunke over Jeep ad
- Hunke's August 2010 reorganization sounds familiar
- In April 2010, Ellwood looked like possible Hunke successor
- Hunke promoted to publisher in April 2009
Is Kate Marymont considered a candidate for editor of USA Today?
ReplyDeleteShe is invisible and seemingly ineffective as VP/News. At least this job might allow her to get back to doing what she knows how to do.
Or at least what she knew how to do years ago before she started scrambling up the corporate ladder.
Then shed be perfect for the job. as would washburn.
DeleteThis could be the most surprising part of today's news:
ReplyDeleteGannett is conducting a search for a publisher to succeed Hunke.
Is this just a formality -- i.e., Ellwood is already a shoo-in, but Corporate wants to make a show of casting a wide net?
Or is Ellwood's tenure really this uncertain?
Supposedly Susie does not want the job.
DeleteWait, I kept hearing on the blog that he was retiring?! How weird that Anonymous was incorrect.
ReplyDeleteAnd he gets to retire at the chairman level after a whopping five months? Sweet deal!
ReplyDeleteHow will the Detroit Free Press and Detroit Media Partnership be affected by reporting to U.S. Community Publishing? Sounds like bad news to me but looking/hoping for sound opinions.
ReplyDeleteIt's bad news for both. Detroit is losing money and USCP is looking to make more money, not lose it. Expect more belt tightening at USCP to make up for Detroit losses and A LOT more belt tightening in Detroit to make up for USCP demands.
Delete"We appreciate all of you and we're going to fire you next week."
ReplyDeleteSo, he's been publisher for three years. What change(s) did he effect?
ReplyDeleteHunke gone. Thank God.
ReplyDeleteWhat a buffoon this guy is. His transformation has left the place in shambles. Congrats, Mr. Hunke.
ReplyDeleteYoure being generous. a complete tool and massive blowhard.
DeleteKate's doing what she does best. Nothing.
ReplyDeleteSay it ain't so. The great Hunke finally leaving. I'm sure Maryam had him shot too.
ReplyDeleteHunke never understood all the assets he could actually leverage: Pointroll, Cars.com, Careerbuilder - Instead he gave power to has-beens in the Print industry (Sales & Product)
A very good day for USATODAY
He gave power to a complete set of know nothing newbies. heather frank? Rudd davis. and lets not forget horrible holdover Hillkirk.
Delete11:38 a.m.: I know the move of the Detroit Free Press and Detroit Newspaper Partnership to USCP means one thing: Both entities will no longer be exempt from future furloughs and layoffs in the USCP. This move was long overdue. The Detroit operation is only slightly bigger than the Phoenix operation, so there was no logical reason for Detroit to be outside the USCP.
ReplyDeleteWaiting for other details to leak out, like any lump sum payments, whether he gets health coverage until Medicare takes over. Big G takes care of their hatchet men.
ReplyDeleteAnyone hear Mark Silverman's name turn up yet?
ReplyDeleteA very good day for USAT indeed, but I couldn't help but be very frightened for all of us as I watched the three "leaders" on stage. They look completely overmatched.
ReplyDeleteThey were overmatched? How? Same old sidestepping and bullshitting they always do.
DeleteNow where would USAT be finding the money to pay yet another bloated and unnecessary executive salary?
ReplyDeleteOh wait. Q2 furloughs. Never mind.
1:11 p.m.: Mark, is that you? Get back to work holding seminars about passion topics!
ReplyDeleteUSAT leaders have been overmatched for several years. Overmatched professionally and as human beings. Suffice to say, I don't believe a word that comes out of any of their mouths anymore. They have done some horrible things to some very good people, and they have left the rest of us with plenty of work and worries.
ReplyDeleteIt seems this place hasn't been stable since we moved into the Crystal Palace. There is so much blood on the hands of current and past top managers that I am not sure how they sleep at night. Regardless, like a lot of people, I am quietly done with this place and won't give an ounce more than I have to. Like many of my coworkers, I hope to be out of here in the near future, because no matter how many big announcements or changes are made, one thing is for sure...this is no longer the kind of place that deserves honest, hard-working employees. It deserves what the top cultivates and recruits. And what it now recruits isn't fit to compete on a national level.
USAT is an embarrassment as a brand of news, as print product, as a website, and as a place to work.
A brand that martore praises but them shits on. cant have it both ways, GM. Give us leadership, not bs-manship.
DeleteAm I the only one offended by Craig Wilson using the word Rape to describe the elimination of jobs in newsrooms? I feel it is an inappropriate term in a business environment. Fine here but not in a business environment.
ReplyDeleteWhen management starts acting in a business like manner,you can act be offended. Until then, spare us the faux indignation. craig is a good guy whose anger is justified.
Delete1:31 p.m.: Yes, Craig Wilson's use of the word "rape" to describe what is in reality the "gutting" of USCP newsrooms was utterly inappropriate.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a passion topic for CW.
ReplyDelete1:10 The last time Gannett disclosed such figures, a year ago, Hunke was due $3.1 million in retirement benefits.
ReplyDeleteBut that included the estimated value of stock options -- an estimate that is always hard to pin down.
"According to Michael Fox, Ph.D., emotional rape is similar in many ways to physical rape, particularly date rape. Date rape involves the sexual use of someone's body without consent which amounts to theft of the person's physical sensorium. In a like manner, emotional rape is the theft of someone's higher emotions, such as love, without consent. However, in the case of emotional rape the lack of consent is contained in the fact that the individual is being lied to by the perpetrator.
ReplyDeleteEmotional rape can happen to both men and women. Both forms of rape can be very devastating and require specialized programs for recovery."
I had no idea Marty McFly had his PH.D. Good for him!
ReplyDeleteAnd Hunke is Biff?
DeleteWhat was extremely obvious and quite shocking is how little the USAT news staff knows about Wall Street and how public companies operate. They have obviously been insulated from the real business world for far too long and are ill-equipped to deal with the realities facing a business that is under producing. When a company is woefully below revenue budgets unpleasant steps have to be taken. For some reason the newsroom is totally oblivious to that fact. USAT has problems generating revenue. That is both a content and an advertising challenge.
ReplyDeleteHigher costs and cash flow are a challenge. You dont buy back millions of shares and hike dividends while furloughing people and layoffs. that sound like a good business strategy as your shares continue to fall?
DeleteA very sincere sounding questioner asked Gracia to reconcile the $37 million payout to Dubow, with the $60 investment, which includes furloughs, and to explain why Hunke is retiring now (just after Sports debacle). Gracia handed off to Hunke, who dodged. Another questioner challenged Gracia to say the demoralizing process of reapplying for jobs won't be repeated, she said she prefers to delegates such things to division heads.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you just love Gracia reaching out to Susie and Susan for a lifeline when the questioning got too tough? It was like "c'mon guys...help me here! I'm running out of answers."
ReplyDeleteNow we know why she likes to delegate. shes above it all. far away from the impact on her minions.
DeleteWhen a company is woefully below revenue, budgets unpleasant steps have to be taken. For some reason the newsroom is totally oblivious to that fact. USAT has problems generating revenue."
ReplyDeleteYou mean steps like, oh, I don't know, creating two dozen VP positions with vague job descriptions, all while shedding people who actually did something other than sit in meetings and think big thoughts?
Or do you mean steps like allowing top execs to essentially plunder the coffers via bonuses and farewell handshakes?
Now Hunke is being handed a lame-duck "chairmanship" -- yet another high-priced executive position that didn't exist yesterday.
And you say the newsroom is oblivious. Ha. Sounds like the business side doesn't have a clue, either, as to how to behave in a downturn.
Gracia had the opportunity to act like a visionary leader today. she dropped the ball.
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing was listening to all the platitudes for the worst publisher in usa today history.
ReplyDeleteTo 11:38 a.m. 1:01 p.m.:
ReplyDeleteFWIW the Detroit Free Press and Detroit Newspaper (sic) Partnership have not been immune to furloughs and layoffs, by any means. The DMP (and DFP managers) just took a Q1 furlough, in fact, with short-notice warning during the same quarter.
You continue that "there was no logical reason for Detroit to be outside the USCP." Except for one small factor: Detroit's JOA still makes things bizarre and complex there.
Let's list Mr. Hunke's accomplishments (I'll start).
ReplyDelete1. Dramatic and irreversable decline in USA TODAY print advertising revenues.
2. Dramatic and irreversable decline in USA TODAY employee morale.
3. Dramatic and irreversable decline in USA TODAY content quality.
4. Continued decline in USA TODAY print circulation.
5. Dramatic increase in useless hires and v.p. promotions.
ReplyDelete6. Dramactic decrease in accountability.
In the end, Hunke did succeed in transforming USA TODAY. Just not in a good way.
ReplyDeleteHe did nothing but add more dead weight.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete2:28 and 2:33. You forgot to duplicate that list for his (and Suzie's "transformation" in Detroit.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first move of what will be a massive shutdown of the print product across the country. Detroit will be the first. They will be online only by the end of next year. Bye-Bye Detroit Free Press newspaper. The Detroit News though will still produce a print product 3 days a week. This is the plan I've heard. Sorry folks in Detroit.
ReplyDeleteRather than rape, I've described the layoffs across the community newspapers as journalism's version of strip mining.
ReplyDeleteKaren Crotchfelt will be the next Publisher at USA Today!
ReplyDelete2:48. Entertaining banter, but otherwise utter horsecrap.
ReplyDeleteWashburn or Silverman. take your pick.
DeleteBanikarim wins another round. Get ready, usat, she'll be in Hunke's office in no time!
ReplyDeleteHunke leaving is indeed a very good thing for USAT, but let's remember that the ones who blessed his hair-brained notions of transformation are still here.
ReplyDeleteSo true of our "management commitee."
DeleteTiming very odd. As was Healthworks Hillkirk's demotion.
ReplyDeleteNow what? This is how you treat your crown jewel of a brand? Leave your underappreciated workers hang several more months?
What kills me is how Gannett does not understand how to cut its losses and let people go when they've flopped. Over and over again Gannett takes failed publishers and editors and rewarded them with fictitious corporate jobs that the company can't afford. Corporate thus becomes a holding receptacle for people who are "promoted" from the field, only to "retire" in short order. Gannett papers and stations would be much better off if they were cut loose from the corporate overhead that serves no purpose other than paying excessive salaries and perks to superfluous has-beens and never-wases.
ReplyDeleteCount on Q3 and Q4 furloughs to pay for this severence package. I'm on track to make less this year than I did in 2002-2003, unless the job interview outside Gannett later this week goes real well.
ReplyDeleteShould I feel grateful for all the abuse I took at this paper? For some strange reason I am angry that they are letting us go. I am sorry to the readers of the paper that still want to read the News but this company keeps making it harder to get a paper, they only care about cutting cost. Only the people don't know about it yet because everything is a secret where I work.
ReplyDeleteOn the timing of this disclosure, why not wait until the fall to simultaneously announce Hunke's retirement and his replacement as publisher?
ReplyDeleteIs Ellwood really not in the running? Her age -- about 60 -- shouldn't be a factor. After all, Gracia Martore was 60 when she was promoted to Gannett CEO.
Meanwhile, Susan Weiss has been interim top editor since John Hillkirk stepped down Nov. 30 -- more than 131 days ago. Does this mean the search for a permanent successor will drag on until after Hunke's replacement is announced?
What candidate would want to apply for the top editor's job when they don't know who they'll be working for in September?
Craig Wilson may be a good guy but his choice of language was insensitive and inappropriate. You can’t say it wasn’t good guy or not. Can't we ever criticize our own?
ReplyDeleteWho was it insensitive to, the 20000 whove been shit canned? The rest of us whove been furloughed? Hard working vets marginalized by the latest flavor of the month hire or corporate dictate? Dubow's golden parachute?
DeleteG.I.G.O.
ReplyDeleteGarbage in, garbage out? Or should that be, carpetbaggers in, carpetbaggers out?
Gee, after decades of boozing butt-kissing and sucking-up -- you mean, there's very little quality left? Larry's Shop-Rite doesn't want to advertise anymore with carpet-baggers who don't know where Main and First intersect?
How'd that happen? (LOL, ROTF).
At least Al N. knew enough to leave a few locals, in place, to keep Larry's Shop-Rite happy.
For the 10000000000000th time -- get out, while you can. Capts. Bozo, et. al, have no clue, what is going on. Just more "20 Best" fluff ahead.
ICEBERG AHEAD!!!
Jim they didn’t wait until September because this is a national search. You can’t do that in the dark and in secret. You would personally pounce on Matore if you discovered there was a search and they were doing it in “secret.’ Come on man, that makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteREAL JOURNALISM
ReplyDeleteTake a look at this series on Amazon Inc. by "The Seattle Times." (ht Romesko)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017932700_boardman08.html
Last time the boozing, butt-kissing Gannettoids took on a national issue? 1980?
Al N. wasn't perfect -- but if you had something good, you could run with it.
Today? LOL.
Gannettoids -- we're laughing at you. You're a joke, you're the captains of a Titanic farce of journalism. In a few years -- the job-hunting waters will be freezing cold. You will have earned it.
Gannett's board goofed when it replaced Dubow with a clone. It should have removed Gracia, too, and then recruited a visionary with deep roots in journalism to lead rebuild Gannett's credibility.
ReplyDeleteMartore is just another name for Debow, which means that her strategy for invigorating Gannett is to continue firing the journalists who are the company's biggest assets.
Gannett's board has performed poorly, with mis-hire after mis-hire. It has failed its stockholders and the communities Gannett serves.
Silverman would be an excellent replacement for Martore. He understands the news business and it current challenges. He's tough, but he's respected and knows what he'd doing. Or, bring back some of the super talent lost under Debow. Henry, Stier and Callinan come to mind.
Enough pruning of front-liners. It's time to shake the Gannett bush from the top down. Streamline management under the guidance of someone who recognized the genius of John Curley, John Quinn and Al Neuharth. Give Martore the accounting job she's qualified for and put a dynamic Neuharth-like leader back in charge.
4:33 please send me some of what you're smokin'
ReplyDelete3:59 Gannett hires executives all the time without announcing one of these "national searches."
ReplyDeleteTwo examples: Hunke and Ellwood. Where were the announced searches when Hunke replaced Tom Curley, and Ellwood was promoted to her newly created USAT position?
Did Gannett's board of directors announce a national search before promoting Gracia Martore to CEO? Nope.
4:33 Those were not good old days. Most were mean-spirited carpetbaggers themselves. And Big Al's failing legacy? The bloated Newseum.
ReplyDeleteJim face it you dropped the ball on this. How does something like this happen right under your nose. In fact you poo pooed a post yesterday. Neither Hunke or Ellwood were national searches. Beusse, Saleh, Payne, Banikarim were national searches. Just because you didn't know doesn’t mean a thing. Heck there are several more things you don't know about but that doesn't mean it's not happening. Youa re getting lazy my friend.
ReplyDelete4:08. Gannett sux. But the Amazon story does not reveal much that is new, but the paper is thumping its chest over it. As someone who worked in the PacNW, the Seattle Times management treats people about the same as any Gannett site. They're the only game in town and family ownership is not always great. The second and third generations are not as smart and feel more entitled. Just like the WaPo.
ReplyDeleteJim Hopkins said...
ReplyDelete2:31 We've heard that rumor so many times, it's hard to believe any of this kind of speculation.
That said, it's worth noting that his heir-apparent, Susie Miles, was promoted to the paper's No. 2 executive in June last year. So she's now got nearly a year of experience under her belt.
4/09/2012 2:45 PM
4:54, anytime the Gannettoids want to take on a serious issue -- not another goofy, bizarre "20 Best" -- looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteVery sleazy how no one bothered to mention the chairmanship at the staff meeting. very sleazy.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a promotion. It's a holding position until he retires in September.
DeleteWe have too many holding positions at this company already.
DeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteHunke replaced Craig Moon.
Hunke, Paulson and Hillkirk, the spineless trio, ruined a product that was on its way up. Good riddance to all.
ReplyDeleteIt started with 3G Jurgensen. But Paulson and Hillkirk definitely accelerated the carnage. why is hillkirk still employed?
Delete5:52 Arrrgh. Correct.
ReplyDeletePassion destroyer Gracia Martore needs another Purpose Project. How about embracing leadership values instead of beancounting?
ReplyDeleteThe downfall began with Paulson and Moon, and by downfall I mean the smoke and mirrors games, the playing around with people's lives and careers, the outright ruthlessness and deceit, the mistakes that get into the paper/website, etc. Paulson, a totally negligent manager (I won't give him the honor of calling him an editor) in particular was a wolf in sheep's clothing. He didn't protect his newsroom, nor did his managing editors, who were always a selfish group only concerned about their own skin. Once they began forcing people out, that opened the flood gates. Until that time, USAT was actually pretty good at avoiding layoffs and forced buyouts, even in other economic downturns. But Paulson and his MEs were spineless. They didn't even make an effort to reach out to those who were lost, to try to help them recover or find other work. That always spoke volumes to me. It also told me that they were either heartless or ashamed by their actions against some very loyal people.
ReplyDeleteIt's now at the point where it really doesn't matter who sits in what corner offices at USAT. The place is a joke - a bad joke. Numerous mistakes have been made since the Paulson-Moon era. Kiss-asses have come and gone, ill-conceived promotions proved to be a flop , which did further damage to a thinning staff. Things are not likely to rebound anytime soon, if ever. USAT made its bed by overrating existing managers, undervaluing others, and hiring all the wrong people at all levels. There are people -- from clerks to department heads -- who are so incompetent they probably wouldn't be hired by a bad weekly in a one-dog town. I am talking about people whose job it is to seemingly smile and kiss butt at every opportunity in order to avoid being let go. So now, after quality people have left, we have a totally out-of-whack ratio of morons to competent employees. Sure makes working here next to impossible on most days.
USAT ran newsroom like a popularity contest for many years. It got the paper into all sorts of trouble that still haunts the place today. I doubt one or two or 50 hires will change that.
Fortunately, I am out of here in the next year or so. While I do regret seeing the product decline like it has, I have nothing but utter contempt for the majority of managers who have cavalierly orchestrated all of the madness in the last five years.
On behalf of the people who have to work day in and day out with a negative individual like you, get out already. You bring NOTHING to the table. You sound like a self important wannabe.
DeleteANSWER
ReplyDelete"why is hillkirk still employed?"
At many offices, the deposed are basically "given" a job, so they can look for another job, while still "employed." Because, of course, it is easier to find a new job while still employed.
That's why.
You are welcome.
ICEBERG AHEAD, GANNETTOIDS!! HA, HA, HA!
ICEBERG AHEAD - FACEBOOK + JOURNALISM
ReplyDeleteJim, right here, from MIT Review --
http://blog.wavii.com/2012/01/23/wavii-instant-news-feeds-for-any-topic/
Wow. All these old names talked about. Meet the new boss ... same as the old boss. People bashing Jim, the messenger. The bottom line is that people who were/are controlling today's journalism are not worthy. And that is what is scary ... and sad for our readers.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a more whinny, out of touch group than these USAT folks. Hello, you complain about how hard you work yet it took two hours to get the Dan Rather notice up. Yeah real 24/7 operation
ReplyDeleteAll anyone needs to know about the USA TODAY newsroom is that the story on usatoday.com about Hunke's retirement is an AP story. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteJim, I guess you must really have grown attached to Suzie Miles during your Arkansas days to believe that she would actually get the top job. Were you as attached to Craig Moon?
ReplyDeleteDan Who?
ReplyDeletesigned, a 24 year old drone who knows nothing except how to place photo galleries on the web.
I replaced a 48 year old journalist with 25 years of experience. For no other reason than she was a line item expense who didn't fit in the budget any longer.
Hunke was granted the new title of "chairman" because "dullard who fucked up the company more than all his predecessors combined and needs to be someplace he can do less damage until his contract is up" did not fit on a business card.
ReplyDeleteThen again, he's laughing all the way to the bank. Joke's on us, I guess.
The sad thing is we have to endure another 5 months of this guy. Hope the only special project he has in mind are the anniversary parties for the troops. But he'll probably fuck those up, too.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me, or did we just cross into another new low at this insane asylum? Hunke acted like he was on something again. Are there health issues we don't know about?
ReplyDelete7:25's memory is excellent. Paulson's treatment of others gets him a special place in hell.
ReplyDeleteIf the relaunch of the website is such an important endeavor, why aren't we relaunching in conjunction with a news heavy event, like, say THE OLYMPICS? Seriously! Who gives a shit about the 30 year anniversary of USAT? That's really gonna drive page views, isn't it? Plus, what happens when those revenue numbers don't take off as promised?
ReplyDeleteShush, you'll piss off the FOUNDERS.
DeleteGM noted how USAT was such a well loved and highly recognized brand. One thought to GM: You've shat and continue to shit on those who built this brand. Have you ever heard anyone say "USA Today - I love that web site?"
ReplyDelete9:07 I wouldn't count out Susie (formerly Miles) Ellwood yet. This may be little more than a vanity executive search to make it look like the hiring process was open to all.
ReplyDeleteJim you are delusional. Susie isn't getting the job. Do you have a crush on her? You're starting to sound like your star struck
ReplyDeleteThis page of executive bios from USAT's online press kit is now more outdated than ever:
ReplyDelete* Hunke is still listed as president and publisher
* Rudd Davis is still listed as vice president of business development, a title that wasn't even correct in January, when he left the company
* Heather Frank is still listed as vice president of consumer media, even though she's been editor-in-chief of USA Weekend since January.
All of this reminds me: What will the masthead say tomorrow? Will it no longer include the title of publisher, since Ellwood's title apparently remains the same?
Jim,
ReplyDeleteGoing back to a post a few weeks ago, Hunke leaving and a woman taking over is another example of Graci's GIRL POWER and quota of 70% of the leaders must be women!
Gracia...do you think we are that stupid?!?
7:25 speaks with truth and clarity. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSusie Ellwood could do a great deal of good. Fire the people who need to be fired. Eliminate non performers and non essential staff. Likewise, fellow lame duck Susan Weiss could act like a hands on manager by putting people in the right jobs and make non contributors contribute.
ReplyDeleteDid you see the two of them in stage?
DeleteThe website is horrible because the content is awful and there is no attention to detail. Too much wire copy and fluff. Terrible presentation, too. Who oversees this crap?
ReplyDeleteIf Heather Frank were a man, she'd have been long gone by now.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm surprised most by yesterday's Sistah's Strong Town Hall Meeting were the over the top platitudes and praise for David L. Hunke. What were Martore, Ellwood and Weiss thinking, that Hunke actually had any positive impact and had any shred of respect from staff? Surreal and dillusional.
ReplyDeleteGracia, you might want to huddle on some post spin control with Banikarim.
When I grows up I wants to be editor in chief of a national weekly publication the size of a post-it with one article and rewritten news releases from B-list celebs.
ReplyDeleteDuring my time at GCI with Dave Hunke, he fostered a positive atmosphere, was open to initiatives to move the paper, had courage to stand against pressure from all sides. One of the better and more brave publishers I ever worked with.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Dave's Spin Control Team can list his Usat accomplishments here
Deleteill get the ball rolling:
500,000 drop in circulation.
Strange reading all the acidic comments about David Hunke. Back in Detroit, Hunke was considered a very good publisher who cared about journalism, not just the bottom line. The editorial staff actually loved him. If he could not help USAT perhaps it's because the USAT business model and gannett's backbiting culture in DC can't be fixed. No wonder nobody wants the job.
ReplyDeleteYea, we love Dave. for the ill advised transformation. heather frank. john Hillkirk. and turning management into a haven for two dozen vice presidents. you can have him back, motown.
ReplyDeleteWorked with Dave in a previous life. He was a tremendous leader and friend. I find it amusing that he is being blamed for everything wrong with USAT in these posts. Take a look in the mirror folks.
ReplyDeleteWorked for Dave Hunke the past couple of years and I've never met a bigger dunderhead in all my 30 years in publishing. He was never qualified to run a national publication. He doesn't have the grace nor the intellect to run USAT and yet somehow he hung on for as long as he did. Guess bullshit still gets you pretty far. He was a pure, flat out disaster and we may never recover from his time here.
ReplyDeleteSleep tight Davie. You'll be a punch line around here for a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteAnd why is he going to Asia exactly?
ReplyDeleteDING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG! DING DONG!
ReplyDeletePlease stay overseas as long as you wish, Dave. We'll try to get by without your passionate leadership.
ReplyDelete