tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post1378356002469728290..comments2023-11-05T06:26:51.316-05:00Comments on Gannett Blog: How much Gannett spends to relocate top execsJim Hopkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712746705871119746noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-40804348698386534142011-06-01T11:32:33.012-04:002011-06-01T11:32:33.012-04:0011:22 Interesting story, but: You must be referrin...11:22 Interesting story, but: You must be referring to John Curley. His bother, Tom, was publisher of USA Today, and would not have had authority to sell a helicopter used by Doug McCorkindale. <br /><br />John preceded Doug as Gannett's CEO.Jim Hopkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712746705871119746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-57276861167317453982011-06-01T11:22:53.350-04:002011-06-01T11:22:53.350-04:00As I recall, didn't Gannett build a house on L...As I recall, didn't Gannett build a house on Lake Tahoe for Al Neuharth? And, later, didn't Tom Curley sell the corporate helicopter when he found its primary use was to fly Doug McCorkindale to golf courses? Nice perks.<br /><br />I was with Gannett for 20+ years and all I got for free an occasional slice of birthday cake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-90965169620053288852011-05-29T21:39:48.124-04:002011-05-29T21:39:48.124-04:00To 10:26pm, don't bother debating 11:08pm/9:41...To 10:26pm, don't bother debating 11:08pm/9:41am, because this person chooses hyperbole over fact. I keep suggesting this person go elsewhere but apparently this is their job, counterintelligence to keep the masses from recognizing failed leadership when we see it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-39634104825797776852011-05-29T09:41:29.949-04:002011-05-29T09:41:29.949-04:00I think "King of the Lemming Trolls" wou...I think "King of the Lemming Trolls" would make a terrific title for a sci-fi/fantasy novel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-71567739121711622252011-05-29T06:22:13.138-04:002011-05-29T06:22:13.138-04:00Your question "Why aren't you running a c...Your question "Why aren't you running a company?" is missing that very important qualifier: "into the ground."<br /><br />Calling people communists -- OMG, I hope Joe McCarthy isn't reading this blog!! -- doesn't distract from the odious fact that laying off people to line your pockets has a very un-American stench to it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-1817699337292279662011-05-28T23:08:53.869-04:002011-05-28T23:08:53.869-04:0010:26 or King of the Lemming Trolls, you sound lik...10:26 or King of the Lemming Trolls, you sound like the head of the Communist party. Listen Comrade if you are such an intelligent innovative leader why arent you running a company? Those who cal lead, the rest post on blogs! Respect and dignity comradeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-69687752029909763362011-05-28T22:26:02.521-04:002011-05-28T22:26:02.521-04:00Good reporting Jim, as usual. To 10:28 and your cl...Good reporting Jim, as usual. To 10:28 and your class warfare comment, it IS class warfare and the middle class is losing. By all means defend another perk for those who can afford that kind of a loss (it's called capitalism and free market place) while asking the regular working people to endure furloughs, wage freezes and God knows what ever else they're dreaming up. And the money savedTroll Truth Squadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-90371255029184311802011-05-28T12:59:49.369-04:002011-05-28T12:59:49.369-04:00Didn't McCorkey have five country club members...Didn't McCorkey have five country club memberships? And doesn't he still have three? At least that's what I heard when I was at the House of Payne recently. But the real good news, I suspect, is that if they are at the country club slicing balls they can't be slicing budgets or things like that, right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-54482848655307683852011-05-28T03:05:36.472-04:002011-05-28T03:05:36.472-04:00I wasn't a "local" exec, so no count...I wasn't a "local" exec, so no country club memberships. But was treated well with relo, etc. Lots of bonuses, even after the layoff. Overall, that's how it should be for the people they ask to move around and solve problems. Not too much, not too little. But now I'm out in the cold like anyone else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-31684596304895641522011-05-27T20:19:57.530-04:002011-05-27T20:19:57.530-04:00So what are we to make of all this, it's distu...So what are we to make of all this, it's disturbing. I realize companies offer these perks to attract talent but it's not about the perks as much as it is about excess under certain conditions. You don't pay out millions to execs when revenues are falling and thousands of employees are losing their jobs. I once heard that a former ceo, John Curley wouldn't accept a salary aboveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-27461199920941132722011-05-27T19:44:58.547-04:002011-05-27T19:44:58.547-04:00The further embarassment about this benefit is tha...The further embarassment about this benefit is that the IRS regards these relocation fees as a business tax deduction, so all American taxpayers are effectively paying these relocation costs and country club fees for millionaires. Yet more reasons for tax reform: write your member of Congress if you don't like it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-15807697859462588882011-05-27T17:36:16.633-04:002011-05-27T17:36:16.633-04:00Is there a limit as to how many $70,000 country cl...Is there a limit as to how many $70,000 country club membership fees a suit can have? Does Dubow have two (locally and his vacation home locale)?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-65017421051900420632011-05-27T17:06:56.236-04:002011-05-27T17:06:56.236-04:0010:59: I used to think that was the case but now ...10:59: I used to think that was the case but now I'm left wondering if that's true for all executives or if there are a few "favorites" who still get every benefit that was offered in the past. It's worth looking into.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-87456449663682588142011-05-27T15:24:50.727-04:002011-05-27T15:24:50.727-04:0010:28 ... talented individuals ... ?10:28 ... talented individuals ... ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-41729579368313545122011-05-27T14:56:12.252-04:002011-05-27T14:56:12.252-04:00GCI relocated me multiple times while I was with t...GCI relocated me multiple times while I was with the company. The relo package that covered some moving and closing costs was a fair trade-off considering you were (presumably) doing the company a favor by relocating to whatever remote outpost of the Gannett empire they wanted you to go to and solve problems. Never had limo service, though. Should have asked, I guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-19648007736974521212011-05-27T13:40:35.452-04:002011-05-27T13:40:35.452-04:0012:04 -- If what you say is true, why does the com...12:04 -- If what you say is true, why does the company offer these extravagant relocation expenses only to the top brass. I have twice been offered relocation expenses by Gannett (both times when the economy was better than it is now) and the money was a pittance. Basically enough to rent a U-Haul, pay for storage for a few weeks and cover about two weeks of temporary housing. Never did the deal Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-21838526748531713062011-05-27T12:04:34.885-04:002011-05-27T12:04:34.885-04:00This sort of thing is what's wrong with corpor...This sort of thing is what's wrong with corporate America. Why should any company pay relocation expenses? Yes it is costly to move, but if you want the job enough then you can pay them. Are these people going to turn their backs on their huge salaries just because Gannett won't pick up relocation costs?<br />5/27/2011 8:50 AM<br /><br />Actually most anyone would turn their back on a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-35712987611649242932011-05-27T12:02:29.236-04:002011-05-27T12:02:29.236-04:0011:36 -- Arguably executive editors are top manage...11:36 -- Arguably executive editors are top managers. Of course, the EE at a very small publication doesn't have the status of one at a larger pub. But historically executive editors and publishers have been paid extremely well. That said, the perks for CD, Gracia and the top ranks are extravagant compared to what the average EE might get.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-25941730781104092282011-05-27T11:36:34.322-04:002011-05-27T11:36:34.322-04:00You're kidding yourself if you think these hug...You're kidding yourself if you think these huge perks stop apply only to top execs. I beg you to look at some of the pubs, EEs and other top brass at some of the papers who literally get flown back home twice a month on the company dime for up to a year after being relocated, temporary housing - you name it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-42771892816724513382011-05-27T11:15:00.938-04:002011-05-27T11:15:00.938-04:0010:28 -- The class warfare pratter is certainly no...10:28 -- The class warfare pratter is certainly not silly because the war is raging full scale, and it's the wealthy who fired the first shot. Look at the average wage trends for the general workforce and for executives over the last 30 to 40 years and you will see a growing disparity that has nothing to do with how hard people work or how smart they are. It's all about sweetheart deals Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-30197807425105819062011-05-27T10:59:13.743-04:002011-05-27T10:59:13.743-04:00Jim spin it any way you wish but Gannett used to p...Jim spin it any way you wish but Gannett used to purchase homes if you couldn't sell it and now they don't. CLosing and moving costs are paid by every major company in America so cut the nonsense. Time to send in more money Lemming TrollsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-10447052527856959012011-05-27T10:28:51.379-04:002011-05-27T10:28:51.379-04:00I've enjoyed many of these benefits on a much ...I've enjoyed many of these benefits on a much lower scale. I've even lost a significant amount of money on one home. <br /><br />All of this carping and class warfare pratter is silly. These are simply benefits most Fortune xxx companies offer to attain and maintain talented individuals. It's nothing new and nothing like it once was. <br /><br />Get over yourselves and get back Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-17500303747690857362011-05-27T10:18:15.916-04:002011-05-27T10:18:15.916-04:00It is a good thing to be an executive.It is a good thing to be an executive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-54074945754669924012011-05-27T10:12:52.973-04:002011-05-27T10:12:52.973-04:009:41 That $70,000 club membership fee is only the ...9:41 That $70,000 club membership fee is only the tip of the iceberg. By having it classified as a business expense, he can write off on his expense account all restaurant and drink charges, caddy fees, and any other associated costs like a new set of clubs. After all, he can argue, he wouldn't be there if it were not business-related.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-18106661887380973462011-05-27T10:04:56.794-04:002011-05-27T10:04:56.794-04:00My favorite line from the movie "The Company ...My favorite line from the movie "The Company Men" is what Craig T. Nelson's CEO character says to second in command Tommy Lee Jones as he's laying off a couple thousand employees... The scene plays out in the new corporate headquarters on an unfinished floor. CEO is telling cronies how large and plush their new offices will be. Jones' character voices an objection over Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com