Monday, December 03, 2012

Dec. 3-9 | Your News & Comments: Part 1

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46 comments:

  1. Maryam Banikarim's latest "road report" reminds us nothing has been done, acknowledged, apologized for in any fashion nor has the Gannett corporate governing board in any form taken any action disciplinary or otherwise relating to Maryam Banikarim's inappropriate, offensive "balls" sexual innuendo memo sent by dated email to Gannett staff.

    As Gannett executives and Gannett company have refused to respond to this encompassing, all site location email action by Maryam Banikarim, an HR consultant says we may now report in confidence Maryam Banikarim's inappropriate email correspondence, offensive behavior and sexual innuendo email that has contributed to Gannett's hostile work environment. Current employees of Gannett may file with the EEOC under sexual harassment statutes.

    As defined by the EEOC, harassment does not have to be of a physical sexual nature, and can include private and public offensive, suggestive sexual remarks, including those refering to genitalia.

    You may file your complaint in confidence with the EEOC at 1-800-669-4000or 1-800-669-6820 (TTY) or by personal email through info@eeoc.gov

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  2. Michael Wolff column out. Another head scratcher on the British press. And Rupert Murdoch. jim, weigh in here, maybe you see something in this guy that I dont.

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  3. Ad giants cut 2013 forecasts = layoffs.
    Need I say more!

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  4. AZ REPUBLIC News and thoughts of the day.
    I as a long time member of the union ponder the question is the union viable anymore.We have a union torn within itself full of turmoil.I pay dues but i ask myself for what purpose,maybe in hopes to keep the same pay i make now with not having a raise in at least 10 years and insurance premiums continue to rise.we have several non union members that have most of the benefits as i,and do not pay dues so i ask what's the point of our union if i make it to retirement i get a watch lol or if i die i receive a death benefit for my family. We have no pension our seniority means nothing really u can't bump a guy lower than you to a different position if u wanted what ever job he was doing that day.so again i ask what's the point of a union especially local 51 which is torn from with in always fighting bringing charges on each other the vp wants the presidents job when your own union can't find unity and strength to become one we as a union are nothing.we have our non union members that are covered under our by laws and the don't pay dues.we do not have anything really to offer our non union members no pension no seniority we give them a say a voice when we want to change a by law or something of that nature.but that voice did not work out so well during our last contract negotiations,and im not sure it will be any different this time around.we shun some of our non union members for what Ever reasons we deem fit.whether it be a non union member who expects all union members to do there job and says something about it making life worse for himself i can't help but to think he may be on to something.we union brothers cover for each other most of the time when someone does not do there job another brother does it for him if someone is late most times the bosses will never know he was late or did not do his job times have changed the union has made us lazy. Our hiring chairman who is a real piece of work does nothing but help the company the union wants him out but we don't want his lazy ass on the press either what does this all mean im not sure anymore we will never become one as a union and that's the fact jack

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  5. 8:18, I am still shocked that the memo actually compared USA Today's balls to having sex. Unbelievable inaction by corporate's higher ups. I'm hoping people's complaints to the EEOC will spawn a full investigation into what's wrong with our leaders.

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  7. 11:03, try using paragraphs next time.

    10:22, ever notice you've been ignored during the last few days? That's what posting the same thing every day will do for you.

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  8. @8:21 . . . loved the Wolff piece on the British press. What I like about Fleet Street is, it takes no prisoners. LOUD. Witty in that British excellent-use-of-the-language way. Unapologetic. The only thing close to that spirit here is the occasional headline in the New York Post.

    BTW . . . check out Wolff's pic here.
    http://www.courier-journal.com/usatoday/article/1737283?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CBusiness%7Cs

    Bears a striking resemblance to Glenn Beck. Not sure who would be more scandalised by that comparison.

    Question for Jim or anyone that would know . . . where do the numbers in the "prove you're not a robot" challenge come from? Google Earth? Presswire? Pecker?

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  9. Did anyone see USAWeekend this Sunday? They finally are using the "Blue Ball" in their logo....just horrible cover...sad

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  10. Thank you 8:18 pm and thank you Jim. Complaint will be filed.

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  11. Sorry to see Ted Chase get the axe.

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  12. Yes,heads still in the sand.
    Don't talk about layoffs and therefore they won't happen.
    No matter how many signs point to that direction.

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  13. Wolff could be writing about some interesting things, but he has now squandered prime real estate on rupert midoch three times. Do our readers give a hoot? Whatever this former media starr is being paid is too much.

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  14. Wow--what the heck happened to the Journal News.

    It is really quite a joke.

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  15. 3:45 a.m. is another pitiful example of the caitiffs and churls who take up so much space in the comments section of this blog these days. They are augmented by the Schadenfreude blowhards who keep repeating the same gloatings of doom, day after day after day. Such sad people. I feel sorry for you.

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  16. the phx pressmen's union is what it is because it has not had anyone with any leadership skills to be an officer.

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    Replies
    1. Well then why dont you step up to the plate instead of posting negative shit on here

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  17. 9:47, and where are you, Sister of the Moral Middleground?

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  18. Since Michael Wolff insists on writing about Rupert Murdoch in EVERY single column, how about we change the name of the column. Some suggestions:

    1) The Rupe Report
    2) Finding Rupert
    3) On the Stoop with Rupe
    4) Murdoch and Me
    5) Riding Rupert




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  19. I'm in no way offended by Maryam's now infamous "blue balls" e-mail. I'm more offended that she has done absolutely nothing in her time here. I'll take an offensive e-mail every week in exchange for better marketing and improved circulation and ad sales results. Now, THAT's offensive!

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  20. Have to agree with 10:07, a lot of stupid, offensive shit can happen if there are results. She made the bad decision to disseminate a poorly written, double entendre memo written internally by a graphic artist. Bad move, but really, who cares? On the Road? A piffling internal memo. who cares? Her odd attempts at portraying herself as a saavy digital marketing maven? Again, who cares?

    It is all about results, and so far, she hasnt produced any except upheaval. At the end of the day, this is how Martore should evaluate her.

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  21. 6. A Wolff Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest.
    7. Dances with Wolffs.
    8. Never Cry Wolff.

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  22. Well, Mr. Wolff has his column for tomorrow:

    News Corp. said on Monday that it is shutting down The Daily, its ambitious but expensive attempt to create an iPad newspaper, on Dec. 15.

    http://adage.com/article/media/news-corp-shuts-daily/238588/

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  23. How much spam are you supposed to get from your own company? I feel like I get at least 2-3 e-mails a day from our CMO promoting something or taking credit for something else.

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  24. I'm judging Maryam's memo by Gannett's own stated standards Gannett has fired people in lesser positions for sexually suggestive talk.

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  25. The reason Wolff writes about Murdoch is simple: Rupert is the only interesting media figure left. Ted abdicated. Maxwell killed himself. Al is retired.

    Rupert is Tiger Woods. He dominates. He has big successes, and big failures. And he scares the hell out of everyone else. I'm surprised Michael Moore hasn't done "Citizen Rupert". Seems like a natural.

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  26. Just for the record, how do you pronounce Maryam Banikarim?

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  27. "Princess"

    Any other questions?

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  28. She'll cover that in the next "On the Road."

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  29. Banikarim. Code word for a target for those who don't know what they are talking about. Oh, and ex-Marketing Department people who no one here misses at all.



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  30. 12:32 You can hear her name pronounced in this video on YouTube.

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  31. Any disasters or embarrassments at the nation's newspaper today?

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  32. I thought the memo regarding USA Today's balls was rather funny. I'm offended at people who constantly get offended... meaning i'm offended that I just wrote that, and am offended that I am getting offended.

    American's are entitled little cry babies who want to get offended anytime they don't agree with something.

    I'm off to play with my blue balls now. And by saying balls, i was referring to christmas tree ornaments, so get your mind out of the gutter.

    Wait, somebody is probably now offended that I used the word christmas, too?

    Let me re-phrase that.

    And by saying balls, i was referring to holiday tree ornaments, so get your mind out of the gutter.

    I really hope I didn't offend anybody and get reported to one of 3 million agencies so lawyers can make boo-koo dollars over the dumbest lawsuits.

    To report me offending you, please call 1-888-iamaweakhumanbeing

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  33. Wolff could find some varied media trends and people if he spent less time pontificating. He has done one interview in 8 columns, by my count. Is there any reporting, or is this just someone obviously phoning it in for a paycheck? The lead graph alone shows what a lazy gasbag this guy has become. Tsk. Tsk, Kramer.

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  34. 12:32 here. Thanks Jim. For once, I wasn't trying to be a smart ass. I was really curious. And add me to the list of folks who are surprised she's still around.

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  35. Anyone else see this new corporate promotional video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MhHvUEBlKQ I think I heard at least one familiar voice in it.

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  36. AFL closing plant in S Jersey ... Laying off 100 ... How'd that work out for you, Anntoinette?

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  37. Where's that USA Today William and Kate Baby Bump app?!

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  38. Buyouts coming for New York Times and Florida Today--
    COST EFFECTIVE!!!

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  39. Charles Everett12/03/2012 7:54 PM

    US Presswire is now USA Today Sports Images. Here is the official release announcing the name change.

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  41. I get headaches when I read Michael Wolff's columns. The writing makes it difficult to figure out WTF he is trying to talk about. This guy must be untouchable, because no one else would be allowed to get away with this. And no, I am not jealous. I am embarrassed in ways I thought only previously for naïve, unsophisticated writing and reporting that now defines Usa Today. With all these editors, one would think there is better quality control.

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  42. Fuck diversity..if your qualified you get the job, i dont care what color you skin if

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  43. 9:51 Kramer wanted more "pronounced voices" in subjects including media coverage, and this apparently is an example.

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  45. This isnt a voice. This is a preening, pontificating peacock. A braying fool. An egomaniacal know-it-all who is taking advantage of Usa Today.

    Kramer, your move. Either tell this guy to sharpen his commentary, or cut him loose. How many more things can be said about Murdoch that are of any importance to our readers?

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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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