Thursday, May 24, 2012

May 21-27 | Your News & Comments: Part 4

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54 comments:

  1. So far a quiet morning.
    Must be the calm before the storm.
    We haven't heard or been reported about under the radar layoffs lately.Only the USA sports.Where there a some ,there must be more.
    Please report them here.

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    1. Tomorrows the day of reckoning they always wait until Friday so thei fancy sports cars don't get vandalized.

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  2. Wonder how long Kramer lasts? He's got real talent and real vision but will be drowned out by Martore's empty suits who are all posturing to hold their turf under him.

    Gracia, give Larry Kramer the keys to the castle.
    He's got f-you money and he'll walk if his job becomes all politics and in-fighting.

    Its' our only hope.

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  3. I think I liked the guy who bitched about the blog better.

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  6. Concerned pointrollers5/24/2012 3:53 PM

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  7. Kramer's letter today to staff about the massacre in sports was very disappointing and hugely demoralizing to the rest of the USA Today staff. We hoped for better from you, Larry.

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  9. Another marketing-department pitch this week from Carolyn Washburn in Cincinnati. Does she ever write about issues, like EVERY OTHER EDITOR IN THE UNITED STATES does? How about gay marriage, the legislative lockdowns by Boehner and McConnell, Portman's humdrum record as a Congressman, on and on. Instead it's the weekly update on the wonderful doings of the nation's worst newspaper.

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  10. Jim, what is happening with Pointroll?

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  12. Noticed some one on Wall Street is pumping up the stock partially on the Buffett news but they may be getting news of all the cost cutting,and layoffs Gannett has been implementing. Get ready for a pump and dump.

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  15. Wonder what the bean counter Garcia Martore's early retirement plan will look like. She has been ruthless in layoffs and ending print trying to finish what Dubow had started.

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  16. With one arrogant, know it all letter to USA Today staff speaks volume that he will prove to be as ruthless and ignorant as Hunke, Micek, Ellwood and Banikarim.

    We had so hoped for better and all we get is the same cut-in-the-cloth of Martore. USAT is going from miserable to horrific.

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  17. Jesus. kramer bought into the bullshit already. he would have been bettet off saying nothing after this crushing, morale destroying move.

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  18. So because Kramer didn't fall on his sword and proclaim it a travesty that the staff of a publication losing millions of dollars a year because readers stopped buying it and advertisers don't find it relevant had to interview for jobs in the new Sports department.... He stinks? Wow you people are soooo out of touch. It stinks that good folks didn't get job offers but to condemn the guy because he doesn't value the status quo is the real travesty.

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  19. Hi Tom, Dave. Thanks for checking in and sharing your compassion and news sense.

    Firing reporters as a way to increase news stories? Great logic. Why not just dire them all I am sure the vice presidents can get the job done. Journalism is so easy, right?

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  20. 7:48 pm get your ass- kissing head out of your ass. Kramer doesn't even know the f-ing address of USAT yet let alone the talents and capabilities of the people that got kicked to the curb. He doesn't status quo from his status hole.

    A new publisher and president is named and Beusse, Frank, Micek and Banikarim could care less. They are going on their merry way doing what they like when they like.

    In short time this confirms Kramer is just another cut out for Martore to prop up while she flies about on her broom. Sad to see we have another wind up doll just like Hunke spinning around while we're supposed to pretend we don't see Martore and her pals continuing to call the same reckless shots.

    What a coincidence that the one person who uses the word "travesty" over and over again is Banikarim.

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  21. Let's set the record straight. David L Hunke is too ignorant, lazy, dense and clueless to have created the descending mess that is USAT. We all knew from day one he was just the puppet for Gracia. He couldn't make a decision, do a hire, take a dump without running to Martore and do her bidding. This idiot emperor never had clothes and we all know it. When he finally evaporates we'll be left with Kramer putting on the same clothes.

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  22. The reason why people have stopped reading the newspaper is simple poor service, and poor reporting due to cuts. Advertisers don't find anything worth advertising in. The very least they could do is bring back the TV Magazine with full show times and coverage. Right now advertisers are facing cuts too. Look at GM and Facebook. 900 Million users and they don't believe advertising on there is effective.

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  23. It wasn't about keeping the staid quo. God knows most of the senior management needs to go. It was the sleeve way everything was handled. A company that rewards its failed executives with multiple million dollar golden parachutes could have offered buyouts to get rid of employees. Instead, it shit on them and left others hanging in the wind for weeks. You actually think the reapplication process wasn't a farce?

    Is this how you inspire loyalty in your staff? These weren't some scruffy, sandal wearing, skateboarding twenty somethings.These are people who dedicated years to this place, people who wrote and edited and did all sorts of thing in assorted conditions and deadlines for years. they were tossed out like garbage. Most had access to their computers cut off as they were getting the boot. I don't care how useless some of these people were deemed to be. But you don't do this to people.

    Martore defended the practice a few weeks ago. Kramer seems to be signing off on it now. Wait until it happens to you. You think you are immune? You are just a salary and a benefits cost overrun to this crew. Just ask the 20000 of your former coworkers who no longer work here.

    You know what's really sad? Virtually every genius leader they've brought in here has failed. I'm holding out hope for Kramer, but not if his plan is to follow Beusse's.

    There still are good people in this organization. They want change, too. But this isn't the way to go about it.

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  24. 8:44, that's touching. But those people were useless and obsolete. They refused to change or adapt.

    They had to go. Sorry.

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  25. 3:59, Washburn doesn't have the depth to write anything more complex than silly promotions. She's the perfect example of a Gannett type who could only have risen in the days when newspapers had a market to themselves no matter how bad their product. A dynamic company with a future would have cleaned house of those types already.

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  28. 8:48, the company should have cleaned out all the dumb reporters and stupid people who can't write. That is the real future of a strong media company. Those are the types who should be gone.

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  29. Jim, would you please put the thread on ABM on the front page again. I and many others are still interested in the direction this is going, and what it means for the rest of us.
    Everybody should be interested in the move to outsource building services, because it may also be the direction for other departments (think IT and Tech Services), so the ability for ad reps and newsie's to simply pick up a phone to call for help on a simple problem, may just be a thing of the past. Open a ticket with the Corporate help Desk (or ABM help desk?), and we know how well that works. Nothing will be done without some kind of electronic trail for them to mull over.

    I'll give local IT departments about 2 years before the service is being outsourced and/or centralized. The first clues to this happening are already there, just ask your local IT manager. Personal service in the different departments will be a thing of the past.
    Mark my words...

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  31. To think Washburn is in a position anywhere above deputy copydesk chief shows you how this company defines talent. A petty self promoter who lacks journalism props is running one of Gannett's largest paper. What does that tell you about the rest of the company?

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  32. 9:01, so you define a string media company how? By its financial record? A string of quarterly declines. A stock price that's gone nowhere. More vice presidents than General Electric. Barely anyone with journalism experience in the top tier of management. Second rate talent at second rate media properties.

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  33. It's is amazing the number of current and ex employees of Gannett that want to see this company fail, crash and burn. Ready to see the cracked Crystal Palace crumble along with all the drying up offices out there. Treat us like shit, treat the readers like shit, treat the advettisers like shit and we'll all strike back. Count me in as one of those many who is determined to end this nightmare from the inside out. A warning to the top brass. Watch your arrogant, padded asses.

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  37. So the tactic has shifted from failing to advance discussions back to the overdone insults and tired argument that everyone who posts here is stupid and can't write.

    We've been here before. It was just as boring then as it is now.

    The mark of a good writer is the ability to come up with fresh, original material that keeps the reader engaged. This is not good material, kid.

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  38. 10:49, your side is still relying on attacks, libel, and gossip, though. 9:42 is trying to be clever by threatening executives, but that will just end up with an arrest warrant or a standoff.

    I'd say your side is just as insane and useless as ever.

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  41. I'll bite, 9:42. Mind sharing what you have planned? Or is this going to be more of that genius Jersey stuff, like shitting on the floor and then bragging about it for years?

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  42. One more thing, 9:42. Tell us what state you are in, so we know where something might happen.

    I assume you are talking tough and will crap your pants if someone breathes wrong. But just in case ...

    Also, if you are from Jersey, then don't bother responding.

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  43. Corporate's bullies are really out this week. The are trying to take the focus off the shameful treatment of long-time staffers and blatant age discrimination unleashed this week at USA Today.

    It won't work. The shockwaves of Wednesday's actions have been felt by every employee. No one needs to have the message explained to them.

    This company is going to get what its leaders seem to be asking for -- death of the print products that have made their bonuses possible. Even yours, Mr. Beusse and Mr. Morgan.

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  44. Please post Kramer's letter

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  45. Pentagon Contractor Admits To Perpetrating Online Smear Campaign Against USA Today Reporters

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  46. So what exactly did management say in it's post-bloodbath letter?

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  47. This blog needs an ignore button.

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  48. And a bully button.

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  49. Good news, Gannett is still hiring!

    Job Description

    The Senior Vice President of USA WEEKEND will be responsible for driving print, digital, mobile and tablet advertising revenue for USA WEEKEND. The successful candidate will leverage his/her high level contacts within all industries. Lead sales efforts and directly contribute to the revenue development and the overall growth of the business. This position reports to the President of National Sales.

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  50. Hold on to your stock ! price will go up after they sell off the GPS division! remaining labor unions beware ! AMB is just the beginning. IT is on the list also.

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  51. The people that have been let go from the papers are not obsolete they were replaced by overtime, and outsourcing. There was a choice made to throw out experienced workers to cut cost. No0 decisions were made that improved the product, production or circulation. so why should advertisers increase spending?

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  52. Simple always was a corporate raider, not interested in the business at all. Sorry the truth is so obvious.

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  53. Ooooh.SENIOR vice president of USA Weekend. Just what we need. Too bad Heather Frank will destroy what left of that franchise. She needs to go, so does the rest of her underwhelming, overpaid team.

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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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