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Thursday, August 01, 2013
79 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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I don't know how many layoffs in Louisiana especially Shreveport but I do know that but kissing brown noising Shreveport ad director Hall will not be on the list. Hall be careful sometimes brownie points can come back and bite you in the a??. You are making us sick and some of our new hires are already looking for other jobs. That's why Sturdivant left - not use to working with fakeness. Concentrate more on us and not who is in charge so we can keep some good employees in our department. We could never hold on to the good reps and I thought you were going to be different but you have shown us and our new reps that you are not. Shreveport needs a genuine ad director. AND I know you are a fan of Jim's blog I've seen you peeping!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat we've heard about Shreveport is that they are going rogue, making people reapply for all jobs. Reductions will happen over the next few months. News probably won't see much unless they ask Kathy Spurlock to oversee both newsrooms. Monroe is the only consistent performer in the LA group.
ReplyDeleteHave any weeklies been effected yet? We never hear about them.
ReplyDelete8:51, not sure if you mean weeklies across the company, but ours in Asbury got the ax in May. We kept a
ReplyDeletefew of our larger ones but the town-specific ones were killed
ReplyDeleteShreveport escaped the reapplication farce so far, but anything is possible, especially with the pub's track record. Two weekly freebie zoned publications in Shreveport will be folded into the regular paper to save printing costs. There are at least two unfilled newsroom jobs that could be sacrificed, but that may not be enough to offset revenue declines. Not sure what's happening in the rest of the building.
ReplyDeleteso that ad revenue in those 2 weekly editions will be lost or duplicated? - stating the obvious that there was not enough revenue to keep them separate....
DeleteHeard that Brevard County, Fl is holding a meeting in a few minutes to discuss layoffs. Does anyone have any info on this paper?
ReplyDeleteHR person at Mountain Home eliminated; production supervisor takes layoff over reduction in hours; vacancy in newsroom not to be filled; other employees hours cut. Still have no GM or ad director, but do have prospect of GM/Ad Director who has no newspaper and possibly no media experience. New ME comes aboard next week.
ReplyDeleteLayoffs started in Cincinnati. So far: 1 reporter, 2 editors, 1 features writer.
ReplyDeleteLayoffs reported in Des Moines. Several in newsroom
ReplyDeleteI've heard 5.
DeleteSo sad. Can anyone share names of the reporters/editors from Cincinnati?
ReplyDeleteNine total in DSM, including 5 in newsroom. Courts reporter, community-news reporter, sports repoter and 2 others.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone share in the 8 people let go at the Asbury Park Press?
ReplyDeleteThere were 12 ... reporters BB, MS, TG ... editors and web producers, SP, EG, KN, CM, GP, DG, BH, ... design studio people (but who were newsroom before the studio was there) AC and MCL
Deletemake that 13 ... reporter BV too
DeleteJackson MS?
ReplyDeleteThink how many jobs could be saved by removing a number of the high priced idiots at a number of the papers. Do we really need publishers, GM's or VP's who don't have an ounce of revenue knowledge and no sales background? Keep the people who actually do the work. Eliminate the ones who do not have a revenue background. Its that easy and Start with the moron in salem!
ReplyDeleteEntire Kentucky office of the CinciEnquirer closing and moving to Cinci, which essentially menas the demise of the Ky. paper.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Jim Romenesko says the Kentucky Enquirer is gone.
ReplyDeletehttp://jimromenesko.com/
How does Heather Frank and her USA Weekend keep sailing along, losing money daily in its wake? Unscathed by all the heads rolling.
ReplyDelete"Interesting" dinner conversation with Martore and Banikarim taking place nightly.
ReplyDeleteSix from the Community Press & Recorder - two editors, four reporters.
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble opening the spreadsheet. Any word from Jackson, MS - especially in the newsroom?
ReplyDeleteJackson MS is reporting 5, but I don't know which depts
DeleteI've heard the Jackson, MS, number is approaching 10 or more.
DeleteEight in the newsroom in Jackson. Among them: T.Y., R.B., V.K., L.W., A.W. and 2 in Sports.
DeleteWho are the two in sports?
Delete4 in advertising, 1 in finance, 2 open sales positions, and 1 open support position in addition to the 8
DeleteI wonder how many of these folks were shoved out the door ...
ReplyDeletePublic service journalism defending kids’ interests highlights second-quarter Awards of Excellence
Gannett journalists used increasingly sophisticated digital tools to illuminate problems, encourage a public dialogue and partner with groups to help devise solutions in their communities. The second-quarter Awards of Excellence winners blended traditional and brand-new ways to tell stories and share content with new audiences.
In the innovation category, a new app helped guide readers to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s coverage of the Reds, videos were created to help get users activated to the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s digital offerings and residents could track their healthy efforts to “Get Moving” on the Tallahassee Democrat’s web site.
With the launch of native tablet applications under way, we are now operating yet another platform for which readers have specific expectations. For that reason, making deliberate content choices by time block and device experience is increasingly important. The two content programming categories, newly added this year, showed Gannett newsrooms have taken this goal to heart and are making strides every day.
Our newsrooms, as they consistently do, contributed vital public services that helped support the greater good in their communities. In Des Moines, the Register outlined both problems and potential solutions in the state’s declining education system, and spurred the state legislature to move more aggressively to turn things around for hundreds of thousands of Iowa students. The Springfield News-Leader, which earned many awards over the last year for its public service work defending the interests of children in the Ozarks, kept up the pressure by partnering with a broadcast competitor to drive better solutions for early childhood learning. And The News-Star at Monroe used an array of digital storytelling tools to prepare its community for, and help it get through, a crippling bridge closure that fundamentally altered life in that town.
Top performing sites were:
- Division I: Phoenix (9), Des Moines (5)
- Division II: Palm Springs and Tallahassee (5 each)
- Division III: Jackson TN and Staunton (4 each)
Design Studios: Asbury Park and Des Moines (2 each)
Click here to see a complete list of winners.
Joe Heller of the Green Bay Press-Gazette was one of them.
DeleteAnd a BRAND NEW big money position created just last week for a publisher who sucked at his job.
ReplyDeleteStay Classy Gannett.
I was just told 15 at the BFP in VT; is that correct?
ReplyDeleteTwo friends independently said 14.
DeleteHey 2:28: Jim Romenesko doesn't have anything about the closing of the Kentucky Enquirer. Just a link to a Facebook page of a KyEnq reporter who was let go ... ?
ReplyDeleteKy Enquirer will still publish, but all the newsies will leave the ky building and move to the main Enquirer building in downtown Cincinnati. Ky building to stay open only for advertising staff.
DeleteHere is something about Shreveport that I believe helps diminish the paper's credibility. Last Sunday, July 28th, the paper announces that a well-known local sports personality will join 'The Times sports team' this coming Sunday, August 4th. He will write a regular Sunday column, and provide a midweek video sports feature. Sounds good, it will start August 4th. The advertising department is now trying to sell a "full season sponsorship" (which is $15,250 for 15 weeks). Here's what made me shake my head ... the sales promo piece/presentation includes a testimonial from a "local sports fan", quote: "he reads Fletch's column every Sunday and visits shreveporttimes.com to watch his video on Wednesday." Well, how did he do that since there hasn't been one column or one video yet????? Fluffy BS will not help sell anything. But it will destroy credibility for the publication in the eyes of advertisers. Somebody should have noticed it was a bit premature to distribute something like that.
ReplyDeleteClassic Shreveport - "Help us pay Fletch's salary - sponsor this over qualified for our city sports reporter...I wish him the best ~ sad they are trying doing this.....
DeleteAnd more of that BS to come...
DeleteThe Shreveport community is pretty intelligent when it comes to the reporting in The Times and they're familiar with the bullshit goings-on over the past two years. If advertisers are being duped, they'll realize it and word will spread quickly.
DeleteWas laid off two hours ago in Salem, Ore. covered small community east of the capital. Not sure if paper is getting the axe. I was the only reporter, photog, etc.
ReplyDeleteSo, so sorry, 5:04. I've been through this, and it WILL get better. Take care.
DeleteWord is that the Statesman Journal in Salem is currently holding a meeting. Two more have been laid off, with possibly more to come.
DeleteIf anyone should be flat out let go in Salem it is Steve Silberman. My God, what a poor excuse for a publisher. He must have photos of Dickey from Palm Springs. This guy is a joke and listening to him in any meeting makes you want to shoot yourself. Hey Gracia, shouldn't your publishers actually have a clue on how advertising works? We laugh at him all the time with the stupidity he continuously shows on his lack of advertising knowledge, let alone his lack of leadership! No wonder many of these properties are doomed. Bob Dickey's class of clowns.
DeleteFound out the total was seven at the Statesman Journal in Salem, Ore. The remaining employees were told that the paper is "restructuring." Apparently some remaining folks will be demoted.
DeleteA couple of the people laid off in Salem were the glue that held everything together in advertising and in news. This will be a huge mistake on Steve's part should they decide not to return in a lesser capacity. He should have focused on the unproductive employees. I won't name names, but if you work at the SJ, you know. Now, who feels like celebrating at the SJ picnic on Sunday?
DeleteTwo in news, one in advertising, one in finance, and one in IT, for sure were laid off in Salem.
DeleteI agree 8:48. I have been in the adv business for years and silberman being in charge of revenue really makes you scratch your head of how he ever got into a job such ss this. It has to be because he kissed the right Butt in palm springs because he is an embarrassment
DeleteWhat Silberman is doing wreaks of cruelty and humiliation. Force people to take pay cuts under the guise that the SJ is "reorganizing," and then spin it as a minor adjustment of FTEs. Mobsters operate with a higher code of honor. A month from now, he'll seem puzzled that morale sucks. After all, he brought back Popcorn Wednesday.
DeleteFrankly, Silberman's problems go beyond advertising and the current round of layoffs. He is a classic sociopath with absolutely zero leadership skills. Being Bob's bestie is the only reason he's still there.
DeleteIts true dickey has always promoted ass kissers over qualified candidates. It is the only reason he is wherr he is and we all know that. But at some point you have to be smart enouggh to cut some of these idiots loose and find real talent. Steve is one of these that is a life long ass kisser who needs to go. I know of no one who has enjoyed working for him. Just look at how many times he has turned over his management team snd its because he is intolerable. And don't get me started on the joke he was in palm springs.
DeleteThink about how many assistants he's gone through too.... not sure how much longer the current one will stay.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteAnyone know if there will be layoffs at the Wilmington site? None have been announced.
ReplyDeleteWilmington is far from out of the woods. Thanks to publisher shakeup, the axe won't be coming to Wilmington for another week or two. Good luck!
DeleteThis is what the louisville courier-journal posted on its website. You would think some intrepid editor would send some intrepid reporter to the advertising department to ask a question...
ReplyDeleteThe Courier-Journal on Thursday implemented a reorganization of its advertising department to shift resources toward digital advertising sales efforts, according to a statement released by Wesley Jackson, president and publisher of the local media company.
“While this re-alignment created a number of new resources to enable us to more effectively serve our advertisers, we also reduced a limited number of jobs,” Jackson said in a prepared statement.
Jackson declined to disclose the number of positions affected, but said no news employees lost their jobs as a result of the changes.
Does anyone know if there will be layoffs in Shreveport?
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't heard a reassuring "not at our paper" from your publisher I would assume so.
DeleteRomenesko has posted "the best story to come out of" today's layoffs:
ReplyDeleteThe courts reporter at The Tennessean got called into HR while he's pursuing a scoop. He's laid off, then goes across the street to Nashville City Paper ... which posts the scoop.
laid off Tennessean reporter takes a scoop on Jack White (literally) across the street to a competitor who ironically is shutting down next Friday.
ReplyDeletehttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/judge-slaps-jack-white-restraining-order-bars-contact-estranged-wife
Well, he was in the middle of writing it when they fired him.
ReplyDeleteWill they lay people off at the 2 GIADC centers (Des Moines and Indianapolis)? I'm just wondering that, because they are asking for more overtime from people, despite a dwindling number of ads.
ReplyDeleteThere were 8 layoffs in Advertising and 1 in Finance at The Courier- Journal in Louisville. 4 Managers total.
ReplyDelete1 classified mgr, 1 territory mgr, 1 ad services mgr, 1 finance mgr, 2 ad coordinators and 3 sales reps.
Delete4 sales reps. 10 total layoffs.
DeleteCannot believe Brevard lost 11. Unless that included 10 drivers the newsroom will be devoid of anyone over 30 years old.
ReplyDeleteI assume by drivers you mean carriers? Their carriers are not employees so it must be more "inside" people.
DeleteCan anybody share who?
Can't believe Gannett is doing such a lousy job and they keep patting themselves on the back thinking they are doing good!
Any word about the Phoenix Design Studio?
ReplyDeleteAt least one designer
DeleteInitials?
DeleteAny word on what positions were cut in Iowa City? I saw four, according to Jim's spreadsheet.
ReplyDeleteAny specifics on who was let go in Burlington?
ReplyDeleteHey -Rudd D. & D. Hunke checkin' how u do'in? ;)
ReplyDeletewho cares
DeletePerhaps this may or may not be insensitive, but Asbury alums have a facebook page - must be vetted to join group - but it is uplifting to see how successful we have all been post-APP and where we all are now, across the country, living, earning a living and where we can (now) reminisce about the paper and reconnect with friends. The newsroom - ie, my coworkers down in the trenches - was and is in many ways my family. Holidays, nights, weekends, big stories, election nights - spent more time with the crew than the exes put together- who didn't hang around long with my schedule...- hang in there. thinking good thoughts. And don't kid yourself - we are all scrappy - think on your feet - multiple skills, aggressive and competitive. There is something else on the other side of this. --former app'er
ReplyDeleteWasn't one of the former APPers a criminal, and not a very successful one at that?
ReplyDeleteCincinnati closing suburban news bureaus in West Chester, Ohio and Fort Mitchell, KY.
ReplyDeleteI'd have some measure of respect for Gannett executives if they'd cut out the nonsense about better serving readers, advertisers and communities. That's just plain stupid.
ReplyDelete