In a big management shake-up today, Pensacola News Journal Publisher Kevin Doyle and Executive Editor Richard Schneider announced their retirements at a staff meeting, the paper is now reporting.
The daily also confirmed reports here on Gannett Blog that 10 other employees had been laid off, including the controller. Those reports had predicted Schneider would announce this departure today.
The PNJ's weekday circulation is 34,780, and Sunday is 51,746, according to the March 31 AAM report. (AAM circulation lookup database.)
The daily also confirmed reports here on Gannett Blog that 10 other employees had been laid off, including the controller. Those reports had predicted Schneider would announce this departure today.
The PNJ's weekday circulation is 34,780, and Sunday is 51,746, according to the March 31 AAM report. (AAM circulation lookup database.)
How brilliant of Bob Gabordi to comment on the PNJ's story on their website. I'm sitting here dumbfounded. What the hell is he thinking??
ReplyDeleteHis comment that he'd like to see the industry start growing now is laughable.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing. He'll be getting a call about that.
ReplyDeleteNo he won't.
DeleteHe's Teflon - FOBA (friend of Big Al)
Consider yourself lucky you never had to work for him.
He canned 3 more yesterday, and two others in his "information cubicle" quit earlier in the month.
Will the last one out please unscrew the light bulb?
Did Schneider really tell the staff after laying off the managing editor that he'd be more involved with the paper -- and then "retire" the next morning? So did he know he was retiring and lied to the newsroom, or was he forced out the next day?
ReplyDeleteFour other open newsroom positions were eliminated too. Not sure if you need to factor that in, Jim, but that happened too.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'll add those to the list, which includes layoffs and eliminating open positions.
DeleteYes - Schneider did tell his staff he was going to take a more "hands on" role in the newsroom - even though he knew at that point he was retiring.
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of politics that played into who was sent packing.
That's a pretty big shakeup: Publisher, EE, ME -- AND THE CONTROLLER. They usually don't boot the person overseeing the money unless ...
ReplyDeleteSchneider planned his move weeks ahead. Supposedly put self on hit list to avoid being put on hit list by others. Lied to staff after canning Graybiel.... he stayed "in charge" less than 24 hours. Claimed to staff that "corporate" canned Graybiel; in a.m. meeting local publisher Doyle took credit. Staff disgusted; many looking for work elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteKevin Doyle is/was a great newspaper publisher. He had a news background and understood a good story. He was very involved in the community...he knew everyone In the community and they knew him. He understood marketing and sales and supported them. He was tough on his direct reports, but he was always fair. He did not suffer fools and he would let you know it...but, he never held grudges. He was very tough on me and it made me a better person. Working under him has helped me professionally. Although, I'm no longer in media, Kevin and I have remained friends. He would never let you know it (Kevin can be pretty stoic) but the layoffs that have occurred over the past few years affected
ReplyDeletehim in a big, big way. I'm glad I got to work for him. If PNJ was privately held, I would want him at the helm. Maybe one day soon GCI will sell off some of their properties to local owners...
It's laughably obvious this is a certain Post-Crescent editor who maintains he doesn't read the Gannett Blog posting as an 'ex-employee.' Too bad corporate doesn't realize Appleton has a certain segment of top leadership from the pre-Gannett days that wishes it was not part of Gannett. Most of the Appleton staff would be happy if Gannett took him up on it.
DeleteWas Mei Mei Chan onsite for this?
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteJust like all the other Publishers who suddenly retired over the past 2 weeks, its called a buyout for a job that has no longer any weight..They are all dead wood these days. Give it a week or two more and you will see many more retire:)
DeleteHP
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ReplyDeleteGannett already is advertising for a new EE at Pensacola.
ReplyDelete