Wednesday, July 31, 2013

July 29-Aug. 4 | Your News & Comments: Part 3

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31 comments:

  1. I am surprised that Des Moines didn't just RIF a few good people,rather than watch their circ numbers drop.
    Jim,it is getting close to time to fire up the layoff spread sheet? From all reports they will be wide spread.
    Hold on to your lottery ticket folks,to see if you get the winning pink slip or losing, depending on your stste of Plan B.

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  2. Benny Ivory leaving marks the end of a significant leadership shift of great editors. The next generation hasn't yet proven themselves or made great marks. Also, there is a significant loss in leadership diversity being marked. The sad part is the changes were forced by financial and a few decisions that didn't consult these top people. Inevitable? Yes. The influence of editors in the operations has dwindled to "you just cover the news and post it online." Setting the position and personality of the paper is not commonplace among today's editors, some but not a majority. Benny was credibility.

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  3. From Save the Plain Dealer's Facebook page devoted to the Cleveland, Ohio, newspaper:

    "Today, The Plain Dealer eliminated the jobs of approximately 50 journalists whose dedication produced one of the country’s best newspapers. The layoffs abolished more than one-third of an already depleted newsroom staff."

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  4. An axe falls in Lansing.
    *************

    Important Announcement
    Priester, Brian
    Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 11:05 AM

    Colleagues,

    As we have evaluated our plans going forward we have made the decision to restructure the top roles in our news department. As a result, the position of Executive Editor is being eliminated and Mickey Hirten’s last day will be this Friday. We thank him for his long service to Gannett and his twelve years in Lansing.

    Our local news effort will be led by Managing Editor Stephanie Angel and I know she will continue Mickey’s commitment to quality journalism and service to our community and readers.

    Brian Priester
    President and Publisher

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    Replies
    1. Karma. He was in charge of my layoff. I wish him well, but...karma.

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    2. What goes around, comes around.

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  5. Oh well, who needs an executive editor anyway? Isn't that something like firing the captain of an airplane? Good lord, Gannett, get your act together. Just a little?

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  6. Interesting approach. Some papers in recent years have gotten rid of the managing editor position and kept the exec editor. In most papers, the ME does the heavy lifting of keeping the newsroom going day to day. Exec is more of a policy setter. Wonder if we might get a similar thing in Louisville, or if that paper is so large and prestigious, they'll fill the exec's chair?

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    Replies
    1. Heavy lifting is more important.

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    2. At our site, the ME runs the newsroom, the EE runs around town pretending to be a "mover and shaker" in the community. When I started in this business (admittedly eons ago), our editor (he had just a one-word title then) would never join Rotary, Lions Club, etc., nor sit on Chamber of Commerce committees -- but our current EE does all that and more. As a result, some of our reports involving his "friends" are heavily edited or spiked at his direction. Of course, his "friends" will forget about him the minute he ceased to be EE; they only pretend to be his buddies because of what he does for them professionally, not personally.

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    3. No ME at our site. Jst an EE. We once had an EE, ME and two AME's. Now, the closest thing to the EE is a city editor. We also don't have a publisher right now, but I think that will change soon as we are too big of an operation not to have one. Scared though after seeing some GM positions eliminated in the spreadsheet.

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  7. Why does USA Today need two executive editors below editor in chief,two managing editors in Money and two more in News? Don't get it.

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    Replies
    1. Why indeed. Anyone?

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    2. Because it's "USA TODAY"... If you haven't noticed, The rules for everything are enforced EXCEPT for USA Today. They have always been the special child and exception to all the rules.

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  8. There are a lot of people who have to make decisions on RIFs because they are TOLD to do so, not because they CHOOSE to do so. Gannett is a business, not a charity. Gone are the days of businesses keeping legacy employees because it "feels good." That is even the case in family-owned newspapers. Economics are economics. Being laid off is tough, but more times than not, people on this blog comment that they found a "better place" or "grass is greener." Interesting that this site continues to spew hate about individuals instead of discussing issues. Jim, I'm sure that wasn't your intent.

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  9. Louisville executive editor job posted: http://tinyurl.com/lbabt9d

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  10. Sigh. I see it's posted on a USA Today page with USAT's old logo, etc. Way to be consistent.

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    Replies
    1. No blue balls? As in "we're going to blue ball bounce you right out into the street?"

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  11. Mover and shaker .. to what site do we refer?

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  12. What happened in Fond du Lac? Two people let go! Were there more sites?

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    Replies
    1. I've now added Fond du Lac to this new spreadsheet that's tracking these layoffs and other cost-cutting moves.

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    2. Two let go in Oshkosh, two of the best who still were there. A wonderful photog and the go-to gal receptionist.

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    3. 4 gone in the Appleton newsroom.

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  13. That's right, nay-sayers, LAY OFFS. Just as Jim analyzed, anticipated and accurately assessed on this this blog months ago.

    Jim was dead on was again. While the pollyannas and planters ranted on to try and discredit Jim.

    Thank you Jim for giving us the insight and heads up so that some of our colleagues could better prepare for more Gannett axing.

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  14. How you sleeping tonight in your Great Falls manse, Martore?

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  15. Just for Shits and Giggles, How about EVERYONE who was layed off from the company over the last 3-4 years, applies for that EE job in Louisville. Send them so many applications from seassoned media professionals their heads will explode. Anyone in?

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  16. I would like to see the annual compensation (including bonus) of every Gannett employee in a management position (especially GPS figures without any formal education) published at the close of year end business.

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    Replies
    1. Define "Formal Education". If someone works for GPS pulling down 80K with a high school education and you're an editor pulling down 50K with a 40K College Loan to pay off who's the stupid one?

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    2. What would that prove? List everyone's compensation, what difference does it make management or not. Hell, I make more than my boss - I'm better educated with more experience but he gets the credit and blame for what happens in the department. Who's the smart one there?

      Does knowing someone else make more than you versus knowing exactly how much more than you let you sleep better at night?

      If you want that management position, both the responsibilities and the rewards, do the things that will get you there. Get the schooling, apply for the crappy jobs in podunk towns, change industries, make the moves that move you up the ladder.

      Envy and jealousy is no way to fill your time on earth. Make peace with what you have or find ways to change it.

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  17. Any layoffs in Shreveport?

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  18. I'd like to know how many of the layoffs are people over 40. When will those people cut get together for a class action suit?

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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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