A management shake-up at the Courier-Post in New Jersey's Cherry Hill has staff talking. Bill Janus, who was head of advertising, was promoted to general manager. And Chris Mitchell was promoted to executive editor from content editor, the paper said today.
Janus apparently is replacing Ellen Leifeld, who held the title of publisher since October, according to one of my readers, who says she is re-entering retirement. Mitchell replaces Leon Tucker, who was reassigned to senior content editor, my reader says.
The Courier-Post's weekday circulation is 43,284, and Sunday is 58,245, according to the Sept. 30 ABC report. (Here's ABC's circulation lookup database.)
Janus apparently is replacing Ellen Leifeld, who held the title of publisher since October, according to one of my readers, who says she is re-entering retirement. Mitchell replaces Leon Tucker, who was reassigned to senior content editor, my reader says.
The Courier-Post's weekday circulation is 43,284, and Sunday is 58,245, according to the Sept. 30 ABC report. (Here's ABC's circulation lookup database.)
Chris Mitchell is a very bright and capable journalist. She has been around this paper for many years. Congrats to her along with best wishes. Good riddance to Tucker, a real loser. Janus GM?? Can't wait to see if one of the do-nothings in advertising gets his ad job.
ReplyDeleteLeon Tucker's position was eliminated.
ReplyDeleteWish they would sweep house in our newsroom, headed by a minority, but that will not happen. It's all about keeping minorities in power no matter how bad the numbers are.
ReplyDeleteDear Me Grand Wizzard the gentleman this string is discussing is a minority. You can go back to your burning cross now.
DeleteGannett hypocrisy as usual. Same old same old.
ReplyDeleteLeon Tucker is a fine journalist in a difficult position at a struggling daily in a highly competitive market. He was the guy tasked with being tha hammer. That said, if you worked hard be was your greatest supporter. A very principled and wonderful person.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you @1253. Tucker is strong and insightful.
ReplyDeleteLeon was absolutely overmatched by his position. He never should have been promoted, and he had no idea what to do once he was.
ReplyDeleteHis removal is a rare step in the right direction by Gannett.
The promotion of Chris Mitchell -- a local woman who actually knows the market! -- is another step in the right direction.
Chris has some iffy ideas and will need to be kept in line, though. We'll have to see what happens with her calling the shots.
PS: 12:53 and 2:10 have to be the same person; there simply are not two people in the world who think that highly of Leon. In fact, it's quite possible both we posted by Leon himself.
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ReplyDeleteThe Courier-Post has been looking for a GM and executive editor for more than a year. No one inside or outside of Gannett wanted to come to Cherry Hill to run the place. Ellen Leifeld was brought in on a temporary basis while the search continued. In the meantime, the Inquirer has beefed up their South Jersey coverage extensively and is now beating the CP on local stories every single day. Circulation and morale continue to plummet.
ReplyDeleteHow many times has the Inquirer "beefed up" it's South Jersey coverage over the past 20 years? It lasts for a short time, and then they retreat, back across the river, where they're far more comfortable.
DeleteLeon is a fine journalist and this is not Leon. I think he is a good man and a very fair person, who tried to do what was asked of him.
ReplyDeleteGannett has a very bad habit of forcing people into positions they didn't ask for or may not be ready to handle. They "eliminate" positions, then essentially force someone to take over the position (of course without the title). Sure, you can say no, but then you're not a team player and you certainly will have no future there. Case in point what they did in the photo department at the Courier-Post. They laid off the photo editor (a former photographer, who took the position when asked to), then "asked" a photographer to take over the duties of the photo editor, while still shooting as well. That's what happened with Leon. Sometimes people haven't been properly trained or prepared to do what they're being asked to do. Essentially, at times, you are set up to fail.
Also, agree with 10:55 about Janus. Not sure why this guy deserves to be GM. You want to talk about overmatched? He led a whole bunch of do nothings. Where is Gene Williams these days?
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Gannett is promoting from within is not a positive sign in this particular circumstance. It's expedient and most likely cheap. No relocation costs, no bonuses, no coaxing of stars to come into a very tough market. Everybody is in over their head on this one.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 12:12 comment. It is usually not Gannett's style to fill one, let alone two, prominent positions with inexperienced employees. Executive editors typically have a long list of work at verious properties in various positions. These promotions go to two people who have never done newsroom budgets, dealt with personnel issues extensively or gone through any intensive corporate training. Maybe that's a good thing or maybe it just shows what a lost cause the Cherry Hill property is in the view of those at corporate and Gannett East Group. Consolidation with Vineland and Asbury group papers is certainly in their future.
DeleteAs some pointed out in an earlier post here, Chris Mitchell has been at this property in the news department for about 30 years. I have worked in her company and can attest that she is a very Sharp journalist and has a good head on her shoulders. On the other hand, this guy Janus has been the leader of a horrible ad department.
Deletere 11am. I continue to be astounded as to why the Philly Inquirer hasn't put on a full court press to, in essence, put the CP out once and for. The Inquirer's so-called South Jersey section is ridiculous. Most of the news/stories in that section are covering Pa suburbs.
ReplyDeleteI worked with Tucker too and the only thing he worked hard at was kissing the boss' behind. That's how he moved up into that position. He didn't deserve nor had the skill set for that job and was victim of his own ambition. You have to treat everybody right, not just the ones who can get you what you want and don't deserve. Maybe Tucker will learn humility and to treat others right after this experience. God bless him. The fact that he's a minority is neither here nor there as anyone who works for Gannett will tell you that there are plenty of old white folk around who aren't doing a stellar job either, and yet they get to keep their jobs.
ReplyDeleteEllen made some much-needed changes and we will miss her. Chris Mitchell will kick ass and has the support of the building. Long live Spot News.
ReplyDeleteThis paper hasn't had a decent editor since Skip Hidlay. Finally, FINALLY! they do something right. Chris Mitchell has great news judgment, is an excellent writer and tough adinistrator. Which begs the question: How did THIS HAPPEN? You say it's a sign that Gannett is giving up on the C-P. If that's so, it should give up on its other properties in similar fashion. Let the people who really know their local markets rule!
ReplyDelete10:06, I fully agree with you! What I don't get is putting Janus in GMT slot.
DeleteThe fixation on Tucker as "minority" demonstrates a mentality among people speaking out here that keeps the Courier-Post from connecting with readers. Being a long-timer, I don't know if CM can move the paper and staff into the 21st Century and onto issues that most people care about. The disrespectful talk about Tucker is ironic as he and the former minority EE cleared most minorities out of the newsroom. As a longtime reader, there is no evidence that those spared are more talented. Fact is, don't know if CP can survive with the challenges it faces inside its newsroom and in a fast-moving media biz.
ReplyDeleteWell a GM has to have either responsibility for news or ads. Clearly Chris was not the one for both jobs so that left Bill...simply by the numbers.
ReplyDeleteThe exodus is underway at CP. Top cop reporter, editorial page editor and special sections editor all gave notice and are leaving this month. Last six-month circulation figures out and paper took a nosedive. Paper is living up to its rank as worst NJ paper to work for.
ReplyDeleteJeez. How long will it take when the entire staff moves to a smaller building...
ReplyDeleteIf Gannett and CP top management were on the ball, they could rent out half the CP building since it is that empty with all the lay-offs, people leaving on their own, etc.
DeleteThe future income of the CP is rental office space (!).
I know I'm late to this thread, but here’s an idea. How about covering the news in the South Jersey towns as was once done 20 years ago? Take Pennsauken, right next door to the C-P’s offices. This township is home to all kinds of shenanigans (conflicts of interest, a decline in the ranking of Pennsauken High School, to name two) going on involving the local government and school board. How about the changing demographics that are driving these changes in education? But in order to read about them I have to go to Pennsauken Republican blog. Is it too much to ask the C-P to cover its own backyard?
ReplyDeleteAs anyone who hasn't been living under a rock would know, it's impossible to cover South Jersey towns they way it was done 20 years ago, when you had triple the number of staff. And just because Pennsauken is minutes away from CP's office, doesn't mean it warrants coverage any more than Mt. Ephraim, Gloucester City or any other town. Perhaps you shouldn't rely on a Republican blog that doesn't have to veryify anything to relay Pennsauken's issues.
ReplyDelete