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Friday, August 31, 2012
Sports Media | High school print mag debuts
USA Today Sports Media Group is launching Prime this weekend, a color insert for high school football fans in 11 markets across the country. AdWeek says 550,000 copies will be distributed in-school or with Gannett newspapers in select cities from Washington to Phoenix, covering both national rankings and local players.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Aug. 27-Sept. 2 | Your News & Comments: Part 3
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Phoenix | Rival TV station preys on paywall
[Screenshot shows image from Phoenix station commercial]
The KPHO CBS affiliate is taking aim at paywall plans by Gannett's Phoenix media operations -- The Arizona Republic and KPNX-TV -- in an advertisement saying news and information should be free. The ad, which you can watch on YouTube, uses an American flag and other patriotic imagery to illustrate its claim.
The ad also notes that the station won't ask for viewers' credit card number, a clear attempt to stir up online security worries among potential subscribers to the GCI website.
KPHO is owned by Meredith Corp. Its ad arrives as GCI rolls out paywalls nationwide amid concerns that rival outlets will try to pick off readers and viewers who don't want to pay for online access.
The Republic and KPNX, which operate a combined newsroom at azcentral.com, plan their paywall launch in September. They will become GCI's largest news media outlet to require that readers and viewers pay for online access.
The paper's circulation is 321,600 weekdays, and 538,579 on Sundays, according to ABC's March 31 figures.
Earlier: Republic readers turn table on editor Lovely.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Aug. 27-Sept. 2 | Your News & Comments: Part 2
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Monday, August 27, 2012
Aug. 27-Sept. 2 | Your News & Comments: Part 1
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Documents: Williams, Mayman sell 60,000 shares
Two of Gannett's senior executives have sold nearly $800,000 worth of stock options they received as part of their annual pay, newly filed regulatory documents show.
Jack Williams, president of Gannett Digital Ventures, netted $557,000 before any taxes when he sold 48,000 shares he received as options for 2008, a year when the company laid off about 3,000 employees during a period of massive cost-cutting. The options carried a so-called strike price of $3.75. He sold them for an average $15.36 each on Wednesday, according to this filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Todd Mayman, the company's top lawyer, sold 11,625 shares on Friday at an average price of $15.44 each, this SEC document says. The strike prices were $7.53 for one group of options, and $4.37 for a second group. All together, that netted him $119,603 before any taxes.
Options are a common form of executive compensation. They allow the recipient to pay a fixed amount -- the strike price -- for company shares, no matter how high the stock's price in the open market. They vest over a number of years, encouraging executives to remain with the company and help drive the stock price higher.
Beginning this year, the board of directors eliminated options in favor of direct stock grants.
GCI shares closed Friday at $15.41. So far this year, they have risen 15%, better than the 12% gain in the broader market, as measured by the S&P 500 index, according to Google Finance.
Jack Williams, president of Gannett Digital Ventures, netted $557,000 before any taxes when he sold 48,000 shares he received as options for 2008, a year when the company laid off about 3,000 employees during a period of massive cost-cutting. The options carried a so-called strike price of $3.75. He sold them for an average $15.36 each on Wednesday, according to this filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Todd Mayman, the company's top lawyer, sold 11,625 shares on Friday at an average price of $15.44 each, this SEC document says. The strike prices were $7.53 for one group of options, and $4.37 for a second group. All together, that netted him $119,603 before any taxes.
Options are a common form of executive compensation. They allow the recipient to pay a fixed amount -- the strike price -- for company shares, no matter how high the stock's price in the open market. They vest over a number of years, encouraging executives to remain with the company and help drive the stock price higher.
Beginning this year, the board of directors eliminated options in favor of direct stock grants.
GCI shares closed Friday at $15.41. So far this year, they have risen 15%, better than the 12% gain in the broader market, as measured by the S&P 500 index, according to Google Finance.
DealChicken | A shift from local businesses?
Gannett's online daily deals site is selling discounted fashion merchandise from a national retailer -- rather than a local one -- according to a recent DealChicken promotion I received. That's on top of the travel deals also sold by national discounters.
Until now, I was under the impression DealChicken focused on selling services and goods from community-based businesses. Indeed, on its about page, the site says it works with "top neighborhood businesses and then cultivates the best local deals."
The latest pitch is for Kenneth Cole pocketbooks sold by Ten Haute, which describes itself as "an online deal destination that specializes in fashion and accessories."
Ten Haute's mission, it says, "is to take a leading role in providing premium brands and goods to military service members, as well as DealChicken subscribers."
DealChicken launched nationally in July 2011.
The latest pitch is for Kenneth Cole pocketbooks sold by Ten Haute, which describes itself as "an online deal destination that specializes in fashion and accessories."
Ten Haute's mission, it says, "is to take a leading role in providing premium brands and goods to military service members, as well as DealChicken subscribers."
DealChicken launched nationally in July 2011.
USAT | With new publishers, how soon we forget
[Kramer, Hunke]
But a recent reader comment reminded me that every publisher has supporters in the beginning -- but not necessarily at the end.
Here's what I'm talking about: On Friday, Anonymous@8:52 accused another reader of dragging down the paper. "You are so stuck in the past and your own personal disappointments that you refuse to see or recognize anything positive," they wrote.
Kramer's predecessor, Dave Hunke is gone, 8:52 noted, and Kramer and his new editor, David Callaway, "are a great team and are ready to move USAT forward."
Of course, we heard similar accolades about Hunke, too, when he was promoted to publisher from chief executive of Gannett's Detroit newspaper operations in April 2009. Back then, it was a Detroit co-worker who wrote: "I am fortunate enough to work for Dave Hunke here in Detroit. I will miss his vision, his positivity, and his willingness to see the greatness of Detroit. We all learned from him."
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Aug. 20-26 | Your News & Comments: Part 4
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Thursday, August 23, 2012
Aug. 20-26 | Your News & Comments: Part 3
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Sponsors | I'm happy to acknowledge . . .
- Reader donations: $160
- Advertising: $797
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Aug. 20-26 | Your News & Comments: Part 2
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Cincy | Former mayor blasts paper's coverage
"Seems we can't get the reasons for William's resignation, but we can get plenty of self-serving stories about what a bang-up job the Enquirer reporting staff is doing and how all the new changes at the Enquirer aren't really just designed to save them money."
-- former U.S. congressman and Cincinnati mayor Charlie Luken, in a comment yesterday on The Cincinnati Enquirer's story about the surprise resignation of the president of the University of Cincinnati. Greg Williams' resignation is effective immediately and he gave no explanation. Publisher Margaret Buchanan, posing a significant conflict of interest in the paper's reporting, is a member of the university's governing board.
Earlier: Phoenix publisher Zidich quits Fiesta Bowl board amid conflict of interest accusations.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Aug. 20-26 | Your News & Comments: Part 1
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AdWeek says Blinq deal to be finalized today
[Updated at 1:01 p.m. ET with Corporate confirming the deal in a news release that doesn't reveal terms, including a purchase price. Notably, the release says: "Dave Williams, Blinq's CEO, will report to Vikram Sharma, president and CEO at Gannett Digital Marketing Services."]
The advertising trade publication, the latest to report a pending deal for the Facebook social media ad start-up, puts the value at up to $60 million -- "if management hits certain targets in the next three years." And AdWeek says today that it's an all-cash deal. (So much for any seller confidence in Gannett shares.)
Previous published reports have valued the deal as low as $40 million and as high as $92 million. So far, Corporate hasn't confirmed anything. But AdWeek, citing a source it doesn't identify, says the purchase will be consummated today.
Launched four years ago, Blinq is based in New York.
Even at the lowest end, the deal would be one of the biggest since GCI bought PointRoll for a reported $100 million in 2005.
Earlier: Will Martore be able to keep Blinq's management happy?
The advertising trade publication, the latest to report a pending deal for the Facebook social media ad start-up, puts the value at up to $60 million -- "if management hits certain targets in the next three years." And AdWeek says today that it's an all-cash deal. (So much for any seller confidence in Gannett shares.)
Launched four years ago, Blinq is based in New York.
Even at the lowest end, the deal would be one of the biggest since GCI bought PointRoll for a reported $100 million in 2005.
Earlier: Will Martore be able to keep Blinq's management happy?
Monday, August 20, 2012
Phoenix | Readers turn the table on editor Lovely
In a column yesterday about The Arizona Republic’s plans for sharply higher subscription prices, Editor Randy Lovely says the Phoenix paper has learned investigative reporting matters most of all to readers. He also promises “we're on your side when it comes to consumer protection.”
But it took the readers themselves to suss out the truth about the real consumer impact of what Lovely calls the new “full-access subscription” to be launched in the weeks ahead. That's because his 892-word column about the looming paywall never directly acknowledges prices are going up.
In one of 175 comments posted to his column, however, reader Gettingbetter pegs the increase at 27%, which would be in line with the average 25% to 30% CEO Gracia Martore has already promised Wall Street from the overall newspaper division.
Earlier: Martore refuses to use the word “paywall.” Plus: Wisconsin GM says price increases have nothing to do with launch of paywalls.
 |
| Lovely |
In one of 175 comments posted to his column, however, reader Gettingbetter pegs the increase at 27%, which would be in line with the average 25% to 30% CEO Gracia Martore has already promised Wall Street from the overall newspaper division.
Earlier: Martore refuses to use the word “paywall.” Plus: Wisconsin GM says price increases have nothing to do with launch of paywalls.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Aug. 13-19 | Your News & Comments: Part 6
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Utica | Publisher gives credit where credit's due
"Son of a gun, those Corporate folks were right."
-- Donna Donovan, publisher of the Observer-Dispatch in Utica, N.Y., in a column today saying the 2006 Information Center concept had been, in retrospect, the right move. A year after Corporate renamed its newsrooms, Gannett sold the paper and three others to GateHouse Media for $410 million. Post-sale, Utica reverted to the original "newsroom" name.
Earlier: In 2008, Donovan said consolidating customer service didn't work.
Central N.Y. | Regional super editor to be hired
Sherm Bodner, publisher of the N.Y. papers in Ithaca, Binghamton and Elmira (Gannett's first daily), sent the following memo last week. With his announcement, the three papers become the latest to get a regional super editor.
To: Central New York news staffers
From: Sherm Bodner
RE: A new top editor. Even better journalism
The scope of change this year across Central New York’s news operations has been unprecedented. We’ve seen the transition to the Design Studio and NewsGate. The impact of the new full-access subscription model. A growing focus on all forms of digital journalism. And, of course, our efforts at Content Evolution, tailored to each of our markets.
The pace has been brisk, and through it all you have delivered on our commitment to produce strong local journalism. I thank all of you in Ithaca, Elmira and Binghamton who have worked so hard and well.
But our work is not over, nor our evolution complete. There is more to be done to serve our readers and to produce even more high-impact, platform-perfect content.
To advance that mission, we will be changing our news management structure. Later today we will be posting a job advance for a new position, a senior editor who will oversee all our journalism across Central New York.
To quote from the job advance, the successful candidate will “demonstrate proven understanding of the digital future of news and information and advance the integration of digital and print while honoring the historic community roles played by the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, the Star-Gazette in Elmira and the Ithaca Journal.”
Calvin, Lois and Bruce [the current most senior news executives] are, of course, aware of this plan. They have seen the benefits that have come from consolidating direction of circulation, advertising and digital across CNY. Now it is time for News to follow suit. We will conduct the search for this top editor carefully but quickly, so that you will have a chance to meet your new leader as soon as possible.
We have done good work under our present structure. We will do even better work, provide even greater service to our communities, under the new.
To: Central New York news staffers
From: Sherm Bodner
RE: A new top editor. Even better journalism
The scope of change this year across Central New York’s news operations has been unprecedented. We’ve seen the transition to the Design Studio and NewsGate. The impact of the new full-access subscription model. A growing focus on all forms of digital journalism. And, of course, our efforts at Content Evolution, tailored to each of our markets.
The pace has been brisk, and through it all you have delivered on our commitment to produce strong local journalism. I thank all of you in Ithaca, Elmira and Binghamton who have worked so hard and well.
But our work is not over, nor our evolution complete. There is more to be done to serve our readers and to produce even more high-impact, platform-perfect content.
To advance that mission, we will be changing our news management structure. Later today we will be posting a job advance for a new position, a senior editor who will oversee all our journalism across Central New York.
To quote from the job advance, the successful candidate will “demonstrate proven understanding of the digital future of news and information and advance the integration of digital and print while honoring the historic community roles played by the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, the Star-Gazette in Elmira and the Ithaca Journal.”
Calvin, Lois and Bruce [the current most senior news executives] are, of course, aware of this plan. They have seen the benefits that have come from consolidating direction of circulation, advertising and digital across CNY. Now it is time for News to follow suit. We will conduct the search for this top editor carefully but quickly, so that you will have a chance to meet your new leader as soon as possible.
We have done good work under our present structure. We will do even better work, provide even greater service to our communities, under the new.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Aug. 13-19 | Your News & Comments: Part 5
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Merchants and shoppers sour on daily deal sites
Though small businesses were excited at first about a new way to attract customers in a post-Yellow Pages world, many soon soured on the daily deals, The New York Times reports today. Customers who bought deals overwhelmed the businesses, spent the bare minimum and never returned.
(Note: The story doesn't reference Gannett's DealChicken service, which launched nationwide in July 2011.)
Shares of industry leader Groupon plunged 30% on Tuesday following a disappointing second-quarter earnings report. Yesterday, GRPN fell another 5%, to $4.75, after trading earlier for $4.51 -- both record lows. GRPN debuted at $20 last November.
Last month, CEO Gracia Martore told Wall Street analysts that DealChicken's second-quarter revenue had jumped along with its visitor count.
(Note: The story doesn't reference Gannett's DealChicken service, which launched nationwide in July 2011.)
Shares of industry leader Groupon plunged 30% on Tuesday following a disappointing second-quarter earnings report. Yesterday, GRPN fell another 5%, to $4.75, after trading earlier for $4.51 -- both record lows. GRPN debuted at $20 last November.
Last month, CEO Gracia Martore told Wall Street analysts that DealChicken's second-quarter revenue had jumped along with its visitor count.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Aug. 13-19 | Your News & Comments: Part 4
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Salinas | Let them eat employee-supplied cake
What's striking about the memo: Gannett is now so strapped for cash that employees apparently are supplying food for a company function. Here's the text:
Hi all --
Just to get into your calendar. Our corporate visitors will be here next week Thursday, August 23rd. We will hold a town hall meeting in the conference room starting at 11:00. Immediately following, we will have one of our traditional potlucks. [XXXXX] will coordinate sign-ups for food. Please be sure to spend some time cleaning up your desk/office. Please have this done no later than cob Monday, August 20th (that gives you the week-end to clean up your area). If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
By the numbers
The Californian's circulation is 9,355 on weekdays, and 11,853 on Saturdays.
N.J. papers win court OK in public data request
The Superior Court order makes clear that certain electronic copies of documents are government records, according to The Courier News of Bridgewater. "The opinion is an important one not only for the newspaper, which waged this long battle, but for the public’s right to know,'' an attorney for Gannett, Thomas Cafferty, told the newspaper.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Aug. 13-19 | Your News & Comments: Part 3
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Aug. 13-19 | Your News & Comments: Part 2
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DealChicken | Groupon plunges 30% to new low
Groupon is the leader in the online coupon market where Gannett has launched DealChicken. But shares in the Chicago-based site have plunged 72% since it public in November.
In July, meanwhile, GCI CEO Gracia Martore told Wall Street analysts that DealChicken's second-quarter revenue had jumped along with its visitor count.
Groupon investors could get some good news today if it manages to report quarterly financial results that are in line with forecasts. Then it might just have a chance to do something about its stock price.
USAT | Page gets a hat tip from a top competitor
 |
| Page |
Monday, August 13, 2012
Aug. 13-19 | Your News & Comments: Part 1
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Harker gets $200K defense contractor directorship; new post becomes her third corporate board seat
Less than a month after becoming chief financial officer, Victoria Harker has been elected to the board of directors of Huntington Ingalls Industries of Newport News, Va., the company announced today. Huntington designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
As a director, Harker will be paid at least $100,000 in cash plus receive $100,000 worth of restricted stock, according to regulatory filings. She also could get as much as $20,000 more, depending on whether she's appointed to any committees.
Harker, 47, was named GCI's CFO on July 23.
She also is a director at Xylem, a 2011 spinoff from ITT Corp., and Darden Restaurants. In June, she also was appointed to the University of Virginia's board of visitors.
At the risk of stating the obvious, corporate director jobs are time-consuming -- when they're taken seriously. It's noteworthy indeed that Harker would assume yet another such post when she's just getting her feet wet in what's arguably the second most-important job at GCI, a company with considerable challenges of its own.
Still, it's certain that CEO Gracia Martore OK'd this move, and GCI's board no doubt was included in that decision as well.
Racking up fees
At Xylem, a water technology provider, directors such as Harker also are paid $100,000 in cash, plus $90,000 in restricted shares. As chair of the audit committee, Harker gets an additional $15,000 fee.
At Darden in its most recent fiscal year, Harker was paid $210,993 -- including $111,000 in cash and $99,993 in stock awards. She's been a director there since 2009, and is a member of the audit committee. Darden's brands include Red lobster and Olive Garden. It's based in Orlando.
At GCI, Harker is not a board member. As CFO, she's to be paid a $625,000 annual base salary. And she'll be eligible for bonuses, too.
 |
| Harker |
Harker, 47, was named GCI's CFO on July 23.
She also is a director at Xylem, a 2011 spinoff from ITT Corp., and Darden Restaurants. In June, she also was appointed to the University of Virginia's board of visitors.
At the risk of stating the obvious, corporate director jobs are time-consuming -- when they're taken seriously. It's noteworthy indeed that Harker would assume yet another such post when she's just getting her feet wet in what's arguably the second most-important job at GCI, a company with considerable challenges of its own.
Still, it's certain that CEO Gracia Martore OK'd this move, and GCI's board no doubt was included in that decision as well.
Racking up fees
At Xylem, a water technology provider, directors such as Harker also are paid $100,000 in cash, plus $90,000 in restricted shares. As chair of the audit committee, Harker gets an additional $15,000 fee.
At Darden in its most recent fiscal year, Harker was paid $210,993 -- including $111,000 in cash and $99,993 in stock awards. She's been a director there since 2009, and is a member of the audit committee. Darden's brands include Red lobster and Olive Garden. It's based in Orlando.
At GCI, Harker is not a board member. As CFO, she's to be paid a $625,000 annual base salary. And she'll be eligible for bonuses, too.
WTLV/WJXX | Eric Land named new station GM
Most recently, Land was CEO of Walkabout Air Aviation, a private air charter service in Tampa, Fla. But he had an earlier stint as GM of Gannett's WGRZ in Buffalo, N.Y., according to Corporate's announcement today.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Aug. 6-12 | Your News & Comments: Part 5
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In a BLiNQ deal, Martore's big challenge ahead: would founder Williams stay on board post-deal?
Entrepreneurs launch companies because they've got a burning desire to do something better than anyone else. Really successful ones are charismatic enough to persuade other people -- smart employees, early investors, customers -- to buy into their idea.
But perhaps above all else, they're risk-takers who don't have patience for the slow-mo pace of stodgy corporate bureaucracies. That makes them a difficult fit in corporations that acquire their companies when they're ready to cash in their idea. Inevitably, they leave because they don't want to be bossed around by execs at the acquiring company, and would rather launch another start-up.
Just consider Dave Williams, the CEO of BLiNQ, a social media advertising start-up Gannett is reportedly now buying for up to $92 million. Before founding BLiNQ four years ago, he was co-founder and chief strategist for 360i, a search marketing firm. He's an early investor and director at two other technology start-ups; was a partner in a venture-capital firm, and a co-founder and advisor to several other start-ups.
All this came after only a brief stint early in his career as a CPA at PriceWaterHouse, where he worked less than three years in the mid-1990s. So much for traditional Corporate America.
In his spare time, Williams likes adventure travel and extreme sports. Recent adventures, according to his BLiNQ bio, included hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, exploring the Galapagos Islands, trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc, Snowboarding in Whistler, biking through Vietnam, and running in the New York City Marathon and the Xterra National Trail Running Championship.
Among BLiNQ's other 12 top executives, you see plenty of former founders and employees who've hopped from one technology start-up to another.
One of the reasons companies like Gannett buy start-ups is to harness this kind of entrepreneurial spirit in hopes of spreading it across the corporation. They want these smart, driven people to stay. Perhaps CEO Gracia Martore -- a GCI lifer since 1985 -- will find a way to keep Williams & Co. if, indeed, she follows through on what would be a huge financial bet.
But if Martore does, she'll have accomplished something that few corporate chieftains have done before.
[Photo: AllFacebook]
But perhaps above all else, they're risk-takers who don't have patience for the slow-mo pace of stodgy corporate bureaucracies. That makes them a difficult fit in corporations that acquire their companies when they're ready to cash in their idea. Inevitably, they leave because they don't want to be bossed around by execs at the acquiring company, and would rather launch another start-up.
 |
| Williams |
All this came after only a brief stint early in his career as a CPA at PriceWaterHouse, where he worked less than three years in the mid-1990s. So much for traditional Corporate America.
In his spare time, Williams likes adventure travel and extreme sports. Recent adventures, according to his BLiNQ bio, included hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, exploring the Galapagos Islands, trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc, Snowboarding in Whistler, biking through Vietnam, and running in the New York City Marathon and the Xterra National Trail Running Championship.
One of the reasons companies like Gannett buy start-ups is to harness this kind of entrepreneurial spirit in hopes of spreading it across the corporation. They want these smart, driven people to stay. Perhaps CEO Gracia Martore -- a GCI lifer since 1985 -- will find a way to keep Williams & Co. if, indeed, she follows through on what would be a huge financial bet.
But if Martore does, she'll have accomplished something that few corporate chieftains have done before.
[Photo: AllFacebook]
Friday, August 10, 2012
Aug. 6-12 | Your News & Comments: Part 4
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Urgent: GCI said paying up to $92M for BLiNQ
Widely read TechCrunch says Gannett is buying BLiNQ Media -- the Facebook advertising software and service -- for as much as $92 million over a period of three to four years, with a quarter of that amount, $23 million, coming up front.
TechCrunch is citing "two very reliable sources," plus a third anonymous source.
The report says: "We hear the purchase agreement has been signed and the pair are now marching towards a close at the end of this month. The rationale behind the deal is clear: when brands buy ad placements on Gannett properties, it could use BLiNQ to also sell them ads on social sites and collect a solid margin."
A deal worth this much money would be one of the largest I can recall GCI ever signing. The only one approaching it would be the reported $100 million the company paid in 2005 for advertising services subsidiary PointRoll.
The figure would also be especially rich following CEO Gracia Martore's remarks to Wall Street analysts during last month's quarterly conference call, where she said investments in "strategic initiatives" were expected to total only $10 million to $15 million in the third quarter.
"We'll make some strategic investments that make really good sense that we're able to monetize very quickly," she said.
BLiNQ was launched in 2008, and is based in New York City.
The report says: "We hear the purchase agreement has been signed and the pair are now marching towards a close at the end of this month. The rationale behind the deal is clear: when brands buy ad placements on Gannett properties, it could use BLiNQ to also sell them ads on social sites and collect a solid margin."
A deal worth this much money would be one of the largest I can recall GCI ever signing. The only one approaching it would be the reported $100 million the company paid in 2005 for advertising services subsidiary PointRoll.
The figure would also be especially rich following CEO Gracia Martore's remarks to Wall Street analysts during last month's quarterly conference call, where she said investments in "strategic initiatives" were expected to total only $10 million to $15 million in the third quarter.
"We'll make some strategic investments that make really good sense that we're able to monetize very quickly," she said.
BLiNQ was launched in 2008, and is based in New York City.
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Aug. 6-12 | Your News & Comments: Part 3
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3 stations are tops in Olympics in key adult demo
They are KUSA in Denver, KARE in Minneapolis and WXIA in Atlanta -- the top-rated NBC affiliates for the Olympics now underway among the key advertising demographic of adults 25-54 during prime time, according to a just-issued Corporate statement. What's more, KUSA is the No. 1 rated NBC station and is averaging a 51 share in prime time.
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Aug. 6-12 | Your News & Comments: Part 2
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Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Marketing | Translating buzzwords into English
Corporate announced yesterday that it had hired a new ad sales executive: Emma Gilding, whose title is vice president of brand research and strategy, will report to Chief Marketing Officer Maryam Banikarim.
In a buzzword-heavy statement, Corporate said: "Gilding will be responsible for delivering forward-looking consumer, brand and market insights that will help drive the growth of Gannett’s businesses. She will also work closely with Gannett’s advertising partners to provide key knowledge to help solve their challenges and meet their objectives."
Banikarim was quoted as saying: "Her expertise and thought leadership will be instrumental in further evolving our businesses and helping our advertisers reach their goals."
In other words, apparently, Gilding will provide research on consumers that Corporate hopes will gin up more advertising revenue.
Earlier: Mellon named SVP of national ad pricing.
[Photo: Citybizlist]
 |
| Gilding |
Banikarim was quoted as saying: "Her expertise and thought leadership will be instrumental in further evolving our businesses and helping our advertisers reach their goals."
In other words, apparently, Gilding will provide research on consumers that Corporate hopes will gin up more advertising revenue.
Earlier: Mellon named SVP of national ad pricing.
[Photo: Citybizlist]
Monday, August 06, 2012
Aug. 6-12 | Your News & Comments: Part 1
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Sunday, August 05, 2012
July 30-Aug. 5 | Your News & Comments: Part 5
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Saturday, August 04, 2012
Sports Media | In mandatory photo policy, a shift
That edict drew lots of criticism here on Gannett Blog, plus a clarification from the newspaper division's editorial chief that walked back some of the policy.
But today, in a break from that policy, USA Today itself included a generous helping of good Associated Press photos in this slide show. I counted 10 AP photos out of the 50 published.
Friday, August 03, 2012
Fort Myers | In Chick-fil-A jab, which policies?
"The comments made by reporter Mark Krzos on his personal Facebook page were completely inappropriate. They were done without the knowledge of The News-Press and violate our policies."
-- Top editor Terry Eberle, in a statement to blogger Jim Romenesko. Eberle was responding to Fort Myers, Fla., reporter Krzos' stinging criticism of customers during Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.
Eberle did not, however, reveal which policies were violated.
Earlier: What's Gannett's employee social media policy?
Thursday, August 02, 2012
July 30-Aug. 5 | Your News & Comments: Part 4
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Asbury Park | In memo, nurturing and optimizing
Here's part of a memo that Hollis Towns, the top editor at the Asbury Park Press, sent to staff this week; I'm particularly struck by the phrasing in the second paragraph.
From: Towns, Hollis
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 11:01 AM
To: ASB-APPNEWSROOM; ASB-DesignStudio; Grzella, Paul
Cc: Marymont, Kate; Kane, Michael G. (Rochester); Donovan, Tom
Subject: Local Information Center announcements
All,
I’m happy to announce that James Flachsenhaar has been named Managing Director of Content and Audience Development for the Asbury Park Press and our sister newspapers, the Courier News, Daily Record and Home News Tribune.
In the newly created position, Flax will oversee the development of content for shared and unique key newspaper audiences. Strategies will include the nurturing of audience relationships, the elevation of topics about which customers are passionate, and the optimization of content for various digital and print platforms.
Flax had been general manager and editor of the Daily Record, Morristown, a post that will be filled by Daily Record Local Editor Joe Ungaro. Flax had previously been executive editor of the Courier News, Somerville, and The News Tribune of Woodbridge. He will be based here.
Flax will be a great addition. His ideas, energy and creative thinking will be very beneficial to the entire management team.
From: Towns, Hollis
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 11:01 AM
To: ASB-APPNEWSROOM; ASB-DesignStudio; Grzella, Paul
Cc: Marymont, Kate; Kane, Michael G. (Rochester); Donovan, Tom
Subject: Local Information Center announcements
All,
I’m happy to announce that James Flachsenhaar has been named Managing Director of Content and Audience Development for the Asbury Park Press and our sister newspapers, the Courier News, Daily Record and Home News Tribune.
In the newly created position, Flax will oversee the development of content for shared and unique key newspaper audiences. Strategies will include the nurturing of audience relationships, the elevation of topics about which customers are passionate, and the optimization of content for various digital and print platforms.
Flax had been general manager and editor of the Daily Record, Morristown, a post that will be filled by Daily Record Local Editor Joe Ungaro. Flax had previously been executive editor of the Courier News, Somerville, and The News Tribune of Woodbridge. He will be based here.
Flax will be a great addition. His ideas, energy and creative thinking will be very beneficial to the entire management team.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
July 30-Aug. 5 | Your News & Comments: Part 3
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Mountain Home's Tate named GPS general manager
Tom Tate, general manager of The Baxter Bulletin, has been promoted to general manager of Gannett Publishing Services, according to the newspaper in Mountain Home, Ark.
Formed a year ago, GPS handles production, circulation and other services for GCI's U.S. dailies as well as outside customers. It has about 7,700 employees -- about 25% of the company's worldwide workforce.
Formed a year ago, GPS handles production, circulation and other services for GCI's U.S. dailies as well as outside customers. It has about 7,700 employees -- about 25% of the company's worldwide workforce.
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