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Tuesday, July 16, 2013
63 comments:
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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Interesting promo for Wisconsin series next week: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20130713/OSH019804/307130203/Gannett-Wisconsin-Media-journalists-unveil-unsolved-murders-project
ReplyDeleteWell-done promo.
DeleteGOTTA HAVE VIDEO, even when it's wrong? At first glance at Westchester's The Journal News / LoHud.com site, you would think actor Cory Monteith is alive and safe in rehab. That's the message of a video in the homepage carousel. No mention that he was found dead yesterday although USAToday reported it Saturday night. But wait, what's this down on the homepage? A story about his death with a camera icon indicating there's video. Links to the same clip touting how he had taken the first step in recovery, checking into rehab. Everyone asleep in the Misinformation Center?
ReplyDeleteNext Tuesday Gannett will report it's second quarter
ReplyDeletefinancial situation. Print revenues continues to dive for the 14th consecutive quarter.
That means the number of print employees must be reduced. The broadcast division will not support print forever. We would not be surprised if there
is a split and print and broadcast become separate entities.
Splitting print off into it's own entity with the autonomy to do what it takes would work. Print is hurting more by their resources being taken away to digital. There is still a sizeable print market out there if only they get a product worth shelling out the money asked of them, the readers.
DeleteHowever much you poor ink-stained wretches desperately wish to believe otherwise — NO, there is NOT still a sustainable print market. Stop the self-delusion.
DeleteAnd conventional TV is right behind on the road to oblivion.
Unfortunately, 1200 AM, the biggest revenue still comes from print, shrinking as it is. The problem is in using a print style revenue model for on-line by relying almost solely on ads. Paywalls were a good step, but Gannett's paywall is so porous anyone with an ounce of computer savvy can get through it. The industry as a whole has to monetize its content more -and that means making the big aggregators (I'm looking at you, Google and yahoo )with the deep pockets pay for fair use of our content. Gannett and the other big news chains should have threatened to take them to court for copy right infringement and theft of intellectual property 10 years ago. And to argue that they direct traffic to Gannett's websites, is sheer BS, since the aggregator gets credit for that first hit and gets the first bite of local ad revenue.
Delete12:00am....do you work in the field? I do, and I have seen people....20 something people who still buy the paper. A lot of others who stopped buying the paper when the content was slashed AND prices doubled, daily and Sunday. Still many more who continue to buy it because the print edition is what's supposed to bring the whole story to people, not just online blurbs.
DeleteThe self delusion is with the digital heads. Not everybody reads stuff online, and more go to alternative news sources than the established main stream media than you think. Also not everyone can afford the smart
phones, ipads, tablets, etc. .....OR the fees to run them.
Digital has it's place...but it ain't as big a place as you believe.
Many leaders believe they need to strike back against those who wrong them, but the pursuit of revenge can be toxic, experts say. It's often better to let things slide or -- better still -- to treat people's transgressions as teachable moments. "Truly transformational leaders are acutely aware of the cost of animosity. They realise the havoc that can be created by an unforgiving attitude," says INSEAD professor Manfred Kets de Vries.
ReplyDeleteWhile I worked at USA Today, I was managed by a boss who led almost entirely by petty pursuits of revenge, silencing who he thought were enemies while surrounding himself by kiss-asses, and he lasted quite a long time, with the help of a gullible HR department and one or two blind executives. In fact, he was one of the so-called leaders at USAT. I presume he's comfortably retired now, with a lot of blood on his hands, of course. Yet, I am sure he sleeps comfortably at night and sincerely believes most everything he did was with the highest of ethics and moral values. He was one of those people, sort of like O.J., who actually had himself convinced he wise, fair-minded and a mentor.
DeleteHe was anything but transformational. He was too lenient when he should have been tough. He was too tough when he should have been more appreciative. Because of his distorted view of the universe and willingness to only do right by those who weren't a threat in any way to him, well, he survived and even thrived, but drove out a lot of very good people, too.
An O.J. comparison? Seriously?
DeleteAlso, your post sounds a lot like a petty pursuit of revenge. You must know a lot about it.
I'm Howie Felterbush and I approved this message.
ReplyDeleteJim would appreciate it if you didn't make fun of people's names.
DeleteThanks!
Karen Crotchfelterbusch.
4:28 you describe most managers still at USA Today. On top of lousy managers, they are lazy and untalented.
ReplyDeleteAaaaand away we go with the same bitter rants we've seen for the last four years. It gets very tiresome.
DeleteBefore we get to the B side of the broken record -- no, I'm not a Gannett manager. Just someone who's tired of seeing this place going nowhere for so long.
if you don't like it stay off this blog !
DeleteJim, I know that some people have decided to listen to what you have to say. Based on that, I have an important question to ask.
DeleteWhat is the largest object you've ever had between your cheeks?
7:31 p.m.: The concept is that people like you -- the ranters, the haters, the bitter washouts -- should stay off this blog. It's for mature, often spirited, discussions of what's actually going on within Gannett. But you're not interested in that. You just want to rant.
DeleteAnd as for 7:34 p.m., honestly, go back under your homophobic rock. You have problems. Don't thank me for giving you good advice. You're welcome.
9;38 If you are a mature and not boring you should have no problem ignoring rants and critics of Gannett. If you don't agree that sounds like a personal issue you alone are having with this blog. This isn't your personal blog. If you don't like it start your own blog. You might think you could create a better one and do a better job than Jim but I seriously doubt it.
Delete12:50 p.m.: Your logic, if you could call it that, is off kilter. Most of us are really bored with the hate, the bitterness and the crude remarks. The blog was established by Jim for Gannett people to talk about the goings on at Gannett. A vocal minority of washouts, homophobes and people not happy with themselves, have tried to hijack the blog with their venom and weirdness. So, no, I'm not interested in my own blog. Jim, who I know from work, does a great job. Unfortunately, he's too lenient with the creeps. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and I won't clump you with these people. I'll just consider you sincere but misguided. Have a great day.
DeleteYou know what then maybe Gannett should be the one that changes I think some of these comments come fron sincere people that are frustrated by working for a company that has promoted bad managers.
DeleteTomorrow I'll go to Burger King and complain that McDonalds doesn't give away enough nice Monopoly prizes, because the King can make a difference in what the Clown does.
DeleteSame logic as bitching here about Gannett. Talk to your manager, his manager, her vice-president, her president and his CEO.
3:16 is too chicken to do that. That's why he complains here.
Delete7:31/12:50 (likely 3:16, too) epitomize what's gone badly wrong with this place. Their/its attitude is we're gonna rant, and damn you if you try to stop us! 3:36 has summed up what's silly about that approach.
3:36 this all started with 6:48 comment about 5:12. I don't know who or what people are talking about after that. 7:34 and 7:06 comments are the troublemakers.
Delete3:36 As far as does complaining about Gannett do any good on this blog probably not, but it may help some of them to get it off their chest. Also once in a blue moon someone does read this blog and changes do happen at Gannett. Like the flag not being flown at half staff the other day for the fallen firefighters. Who knows if this blog got someone to act but the next day that Flag was at half staff.
DeleteThe print decline is not speeding up; it has slowed. The problem is .. it hasn't stopped. The slowdown is due to some temporary strategies in circ, digital and a better economic setting.
ReplyDeleteSomeday is coming for some. That someday is far off for some others - and it has nothing to do with size and everything to do with quality and customer service before digital takes over.
There isn't going to be a big a sudden collapse. There are many industry experts who will be able to squeeze blood from a stone. Make sense?
So I guess Gannett has made such a success of the pay-wall in Phoenix on www.azcentral.com they are no longer giving the public any page views for free. I had a neighbor complain her new bill included an $8.oo internet fee. She said, why are they charging me that? I don't have an internet. You know that. I guess as long as they bill unsuspecting old people in Arizona they will keep their revenue numbers up to make the Board of Directors happy.
ReplyDeletenot true, just went on site and can access stories. just need to delete cookies and the end of the day and it resets to 0 ! click away for free, but there's nothing to read that is any good.
DeleteI just told a friend of mine about that who doesn't want to pay for a paper that has nothing in it but for the few articles she wants to read once in a while. She was quite excited to learn how easy it is to still get the news for free.
Delete1:16 the business that sustains you and your family is struggling and you are proud that you told a "friend" how to cheat the system. What is wrong with you? Were you the head union rep for the Hostess bakers Unions?????
DeleteI can't believe the ad sales people and others at my site who've facebook 'liked' Val-Pak or the local color mailer.
DeleteThat crap doesn't get opened at my house. Every coupon used takes money out of their own pocket but they'd rather save 50 cents. Ridiculous.
That's like saying the Post Office ought to ban online billing and payments to save itself. The Post Office at least is seeking to re-invent itself by reclaiming some of the parcel delivery biz it handed to UPS and FedEx decades ago.
DeleteBTW . . . Valpak is owned by Cox. Last time I looked, Cox advertises extensively with Gannett properties such as The Arizona Republic and Ch. 12 in Phoenix.
I heard layoffs in Shreveport to come. Stands to reason having reduced size of paper on Monday and Tuesday with no Life section. Also heard Preview section with expanded arts news not getting expected hurrahs like anticipated. Duh. Two different demographics. Arts patrons (and there are many) who go to the symphony and theatre don't give a shit about some garage band or who is playing Cheeky's Boom Boom. So keep running entire pages of society pics and Celebration photos because there's not enough news to report. Maybe there are just not enough reporters to report and editors to edit. Only going to get worse. And BTW, the videos stink. Corporate making you do stupid human tricks (y'all can't shoot or edit) is tragic. Leave it to TV folks who do it for a living. But then there are those pesky quotas you have to make. All about clicks and views and not good (not even great) journalism.
ReplyDeleteThe rath of Terzotis?
DeleteI'm surprised there is anyone left in Shreveport to lay off. The newsroom looked deserted two years ago, according to a former co-worker who has since retired.
DeleteIt's hard to accept Gannett would sink money into a new press for Shreveport and then kill it off by getting rid of those who produce the product for the press to run. Eventually Shreveport will consist of several editors and managers with nothing to edit and no one to manage while the pages are filled with canned stories and a few local advertisements.
hellhole for years
DeleteThey don't have a clue in the Shreveport newsroom.
ReplyDeleteAgree the video effort is not even quaint throughout Gannett. Doubt they'll layoff anyone in Shreveport or places like them, unless it is management. They are at the bone marrow in most places. If they do layoffs, it'll sap the last of the good energy left in operations throughout.
ReplyDeleteDaily Advertiser publisher in Lafayette, La. fired today.
ReplyDeleteWow, that was fast.
DeleteGood management is hard to find, especially when good people are let go and crappy ones promoted.
DeleteDetroit Free Press photographer arrested while recording an arrest.
ReplyDeletewww.freep.com/article/20130716/NEWS01/307160018/photographer-free-press-mandi-wright-video-arrested
There will be more to go! New plan
ReplyDeleteMore on the interim publisher named for Lafayette, La.: http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20130716/NEWS01/130716012/The-Advertiser-names-interim-publisher
ReplyDeleteDes Moines has been waiting for months to have a publisher named. The Iowa paper is also planning to charge an additional 80 cents to people if they want to receive a TV Guide that has been included in the Sunday edition for years. Think this will confuse and anger the older readers -- who are also the main paying customers. And I can't imagine how the delivery drivers are going to sort through who gets a paper with a TV Guide and who doesn't.
ReplyDeleteThe Republic has been charging for the TV book for more than a year, although far less than 80 cents. There were some bumps early on, but it has worked.
Deleteits $.25 in Phx and has been for over two years. that's just if you want home delivery, still free in SCS.
DeleteWe deal with who gets a TV mag pretty simply in Phoenix. The carrier uses an orange bag on Sunday for those subs. The cheapskates get a clear bag.
DeleteHearst and Scripps papers charge for their weekend TV pullouts as well. Gannett ain't the only one.
DeleteIt's also a glossy TV magazine and not just a guide. Iowa City also making the change.
DeleteWow. A hand-picked pub insider crashes and burns. Lafayette has been in a spiral since the high, good times of the great Ted Power. Cut to hold profit after during tough times... managed down ever since. Probably set up to fail by default. Idea? Sell all La. papers to Georges.
ReplyDeleteHollingsworth knows how to pick them. Louisiana is dying under her watch.
DeleteDidn't she punt this decision to her right hand?
DeleteGet your facts. Pub jobs are not that desirable anymore, and more work is required than anyone is told going in, given visions of a true community role and leadership management. Today, it's grind-grind-grind without the perks that helped balance the crap - removed because layoffs and employee morale demanded. Finding a good match for what it happening and managing through the types of issues we face isn't plug and play. Self-selection - some passive - may have been at work. Doing what you love doesn't work when the what you love is diminished by Gannett analysis paralysis and approval processes. The good old days of playing golf to close a big deal, wining and dining a client all year to maintain a big account and doing non-profit trades and some cash sponsorships to engender community connections all left a luxury left only to the metros. Invest to advance is not part of the flexibility. Risk reward in expenses is micromanaged shutting down page counts and instant ideas to chase revenue. Creative incentives have to be run up and down the chain. You figure it out.
ReplyDeletealso don't forget GPS took away a lot from the publisher, they don't have Production or circulation any longer. They have to be skilled in Marketing, sales, IT,finance and just a little bit of journalism, that's it.
Deleteshe hadnt been a pub before, go figure. she was due long time ago. and pubs still get lots of perks, maybe not what it used to be but still lots of perks.
DeleteWith all these changes adding to the downward spiral, maybe one day they will figure out what we do best.
ReplyDeleteWhen will the executive management team be held accountable for the programs that have precipitated the fall in advertising revenue? Whoever brought World Class Sales to Gannett should be axed. It has driven down revenue and caused experienced sales executives to leave the company in frustration. Yet we continue demanding our sales people use it. Why?
ReplyDeleteAgreed 10:18! More time is spent on training and less in the field and they wonder why sales are down. A typical day every day is 8 am meeting, 8:30 am roll call, 9:00 sales meeting, modular training (4 hours) and 4:30 "what did you do" meeting. I joke not! Management needs to be made accountable.
DeleteGanett USCP - trained to death
ReplyDeleteThat should be the headstone
You want sales to pick up? Stop hovering and counting the clock and time on me and only count the dollars. Let me sink or swim in the field without a gazillion "here is what I'm doing" things to record.
ReplyDeleteWow, must be Gannett's new acquisition to drive site traffic!
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ReplyDelete