Sherm Bodner, publisher of the N.Y. papers in Ithaca, Binghamton and Elmira (Gannett's first daily), sent the following memo last week. With his announcement, the three papers become the latest to get a regional super editor.
To: Central New York news staffers
From: Sherm Bodner
RE: A new top editor. Even better journalism
The scope of change this year across Central New York’s news operations has been unprecedented. We’ve seen the transition to the Design Studio and NewsGate. The impact of the new full-access subscription model. A growing focus on all forms of digital journalism. And, of course, our efforts at Content Evolution, tailored to each of our markets.
The pace has been brisk, and through it all you have delivered on our commitment to produce strong local journalism. I thank all of you in Ithaca, Elmira and Binghamton who have worked so hard and well.
But our work is not over, nor our evolution complete. There is more to be done to serve our readers and to produce even more high-impact, platform-perfect content.
To advance that mission, we will be changing our news management structure. Later today we will be posting a job advance for a new position, a senior editor who will oversee all our journalism across Central New York.
To quote from the job advance, the successful candidate will “demonstrate proven understanding of the digital future of news and information and advance the integration of digital and print while honoring the historic community roles played by the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, the Star-Gazette in Elmira and the Ithaca Journal.”
Calvin, Lois and Bruce [the current most senior news executives] are, of course, aware of this plan. They have seen the benefits that have come from consolidating direction of circulation, advertising and digital across CNY. Now it is time for News to follow suit. We will conduct the search for this top editor carefully but quickly, so that you will have a chance to meet your new leader as soon as possible.
We have done good work under our present structure. We will do even better work, provide even greater service to our communities, under the new.
To: Central New York news staffers
From: Sherm Bodner
RE: A new top editor. Even better journalism
The scope of change this year across Central New York’s news operations has been unprecedented. We’ve seen the transition to the Design Studio and NewsGate. The impact of the new full-access subscription model. A growing focus on all forms of digital journalism. And, of course, our efforts at Content Evolution, tailored to each of our markets.
The pace has been brisk, and through it all you have delivered on our commitment to produce strong local journalism. I thank all of you in Ithaca, Elmira and Binghamton who have worked so hard and well.
But our work is not over, nor our evolution complete. There is more to be done to serve our readers and to produce even more high-impact, platform-perfect content.
To advance that mission, we will be changing our news management structure. Later today we will be posting a job advance for a new position, a senior editor who will oversee all our journalism across Central New York.
To quote from the job advance, the successful candidate will “demonstrate proven understanding of the digital future of news and information and advance the integration of digital and print while honoring the historic community roles played by the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, the Star-Gazette in Elmira and the Ithaca Journal.”
Calvin, Lois and Bruce [the current most senior news executives] are, of course, aware of this plan. They have seen the benefits that have come from consolidating direction of circulation, advertising and digital across CNY. Now it is time for News to follow suit. We will conduct the search for this top editor carefully but quickly, so that you will have a chance to meet your new leader as soon as possible.
We have done good work under our present structure. We will do even better work, provide even greater service to our communities, under the new.
OLD MAN GANNETT
ReplyDeleteThis is where Gannett got started. Is there a porpoise here? Hope so.
I hope Calvin, Lois and Bruce are looking for other jobs.
ReplyDeleteUsat needs this. Horwich,ullman, Colton,robinson, Henderson. weiss, hillkirk, Chet. You could get by with one or two. Enough to buy two to three decent reporters. or goose raises above 1.5%.
ReplyDeleteDon't know Sherm, but I figure he didn't come up on the news side of the business after reading this paragraph:
ReplyDeleteTo quote from the job advance, the successful candidate will “demonstrate proven understanding of the digital future of news and information and advance the integration of digital and print while honoring the historic community roles played by the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, the Star-Gazette in Elmira and the Ithaca Journal.”
What the heck does that mean?
6:49, it means that Gannett will continue to move forward with its digital and print integration, but, like all Gannett initiatives of late, they'll do it with fewer people. I'm sure this new "super editor" will have a great grasp of the two other communities he/she DOESN'T live in.
ReplyDeleteIs this the way it works in NJ? Are there other models in coming or already in place? I guess this'll come wherever we have newspapers within a couple hours of each other. In NY, they should just go back and ask Sutter to oversee. She has street cred in those communities.
ReplyDeleteWhen editors or publishers are forced to walk the plank, you know the rest of us are screwed.
ReplyDeleteJane Sutter was a solid Editor, but she is probably happy staying in her current role in Rochester
ReplyDeleteI'm telling ya' Sutter is the right person for this job. They'll need someone who knows the NY mindset and this belt. Only a few remaining Gannett editors can lay claim to knowing this corridor. This job is not for a Gannett newbie.
ReplyDeleteIf they were smart, Bruce or Lois would get the job. Speaking as one that works in bgm, if any of the bgm management team gets it, god help us ....
ReplyDeleteCalvin has been a drag on Binghamton since he showed up. Good riddance.
ReplyDelete