"This is an exciting time to join Gannett. There's a fundamental shift in the relationship between consumers and media today, and Gannett is leading the way in transforming how it serves the needs of consumers. I look forward to being a part of these efforts and working with a team of top-notch research professionals."
-- Emma Gilding, quoted in an August 2012 press release announcing her appointment as vice president of brand research and strategy. Ten months later, she left the company.
"I am very excited to join a forward-looking company like Gannett. Consumer interaction with media is constantly evolving and understanding these trends, and what they mean for media brands, is key for growth."
-- Judy Vogel, quoted in a press release today announcing her appointment as vice president of research. As with Gilding, Vogel will be based in New York City, where she will report to Chief Marketing Officer Maryam Banikarim.
What you have here are people who happen to need jobs, are qualified for the position and who couldn't find work at a company that is going places other than down. They took the job for the money, not because they aspired to a long and rewarding career at Gannett. As soon as they find something better, they move on. This would apply to every other executive job in the company, which would have the effect of forcing GCI to pay more for talent than other companies.
ReplyDeleteReading this blog should be required reading before anyone accepts a job at Gannett.
ReplyDeleteWould be even better for them if they read the blog BEFORE they accepted the job.
DeleteThe only thing one hopes after they read this blog is they don't have to work with or near the whiners who attack anyone who doesn't recognized their deluded impression of their own greatness. It is amazing how many folks know they are capable of running a company but somehow never have. Coincidence? Nah
DeleteExcellent post, 7:51. I wrote about that here six weeks ago.
DeleteYou hear a lot of whining and bitching from these people. Jim, you're in that group -- feel proud. They have little to back up their talk, though. Jim, you're in that group, too. Feel proud again.
corporate suits don't have a clue and continue to grasp at straws. good luck.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your detailed post will set them straight.
DeleteAnd whst did she bring to the table in her short but expensive stint with Gannett? Can any of the corporate toadies address this?
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to Ms. Gilding, anyway? Her's was a very sudden exit without explanation (at least none that I saw). She seemed smart, energetic and spirited.
ReplyDeleteIm sure MB saw her as a threat and decided there can only be one woman who has Gracia's tone deaf ear.
DeleteThe story is that BBB constantly talked down to Gilding, was extremely condescending and flat out hateful towards her. It stemmed from Gilding challenging BBB processes and opinions on several key projects. Everyone knows that BBB thinks she's the smartest person in the room. Well, when she discovered that Gilding's experience, strategic thinking and intellect was way out of her league she began to project those insecurities onto her.
DeleteThis has happened to many who used to work in marketing when she joined. She sideline many who challenged her or whom she saw threatening her line into Gracia. The only people who like (I can't believe they enjoy it, but "like" is a relatively low bar) working for BBB are those she hired (because they were out of work) when she joined GCI. Everyone else - and I mean - everyone else hates working for her. Show me someone who likes working for her and I'll show you someone who lets her run all over them.
It's obvious that Vogel has absolutely no clue what she's getting into. Being a researcher, she certainly didn't do her "research" about who she was working for or where she was about to work. I feel so sorry for her.
Lack of work has brought many people to Gannett and USAT over the last few years. Lack of an alternative out of this company keeps them here.
DeleteThe fact the Blue Balls Bankarim has had about 2-3 assistants in two years speaks volumes of what it's like to work for her. It is no secret that Gilding was looking for a new job 4 months into the gig. And, it is no secret that she left voluntarily (on her own) directly because of Banikarim. I'd say it takes Vogel a month to figure out what a terrible mistake she's made working for BBB, let alone GCI.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably been mentioned many times but how funny is it that a company that does almost no local marketing and changes it's slogan and promotion campaign every six months has a Chief Marketing Officer. What exactly does she do? Write 200 page style guides for how to put a gannett company on a logo?
ReplyDeletepurpose walls
DeleteShe does VERY little. In fact, she hasn't been heard from very much over the last 6 months. She and Micek have all but disappeared.
DeleteCome to think of it, 3:31, she hasn't been heard from since the blue balls fiasco.
DeleteLots of anonymous posters on this blog which gives people the opportunity to take cheap shots at others. If their real names were used, it might improve credibility to what they're saying.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I've enjoyed reading the blog since I'm a somewhat competitor of Gannett in the Midwest where they've dominated as a conservative rag dumbing down the entire state of Indiana to where we are more like a backward southern state who elects republican leaders who steal, lie and cheat while Gannett does nothing to hold them accountable. Gannett newspapers and Faux News is how we get our news and information so we are the most misinformed Americans among the crowd. It's really sad to watch my neighbors elect officials who actually write policies which go against Hoosiers own self interests.
And what is Gannett's role?
They've opened up their editorial pages to Koch and ALEC funded "reporters" from the Indiana Policy Review, or one of the state policy networks that ALEC uses to misinform the public with propaganda so they'll support free market ideology with anti-government rhetoric to our grossly misinformed neighbors who vote for Tea Party goons who are crushing this country with hate and prejudice.
Forget about personalities, let's delve into the facts that these corporate owned media moguls have sold out journalism and the intent of a free press in this country to a mass produced propaganda sheet for a capitalistic system that is failing America - and the free press is responsible for the selling out of our Democracy - as journalism was intended to hold the private and public sectors accountable by producing honest and straightforward articles exposing corruption and crony capitalism. Instead, they became part of the problem.
Todd Smekens
DeleteCEO and Publisher
Muncie Voice
Middletown Media Ltd.
If the paper you speak of is truly a conservative rag it would be the only non liberal paper I have ever found within Gannett almost all the editors and newsroom employees I have ever meet are such bleeding heart liberals they would not have the capability to see something from the conservative side
DeleteGee - I recall that Gannett once had a top-notch Director of Research by the name of David Daugherty who had tons of experience not only in print product consumer research, but also broadcast (he worked for Magid Associates for many years)AND had a Ph.D. in statistical methods. But they eliminated his position. Do you think that was an oversight? Hmmm
ReplyDeleteI'll ask again....
ReplyDeleteWHY DO WE NEED A CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AT A COMPANY THAT DOES NO MARKETING?
You are so right...there is no marketing -- no branding or promotion of Gannett and nothing substantial or worthwhile for the Gannett newspapers or newspaper websites. Now when they need it more than ever!
DeleteThere are many positions whose need is dubious at Gannett. The problem is Gracia, who may be a fine beancounter, surrounds herself with incompetents who know lilttle about journalism or managing or in BBB's case, marketing. Unfortunately, cost cutting efforts water down already mediocre products by shedding the most experienced staff.
ReplyDelete