USAT | From coast to coast, the latest cat news

USA Today is using more video from Gannett's 23 TV stations to stand out in a crowded news market. But as this occasional Gannett Blog series shows, some of the videos aren't quite ready for primetime.

That, apparently, is why GCI's leading daily is now featuring on its homepage (!) this cat rescue video -- inconclusive ending and all -- originally produced by WZZM of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Broadcasting in new deal to revamp 10 websites

Corporate has just announced a deal with DataSphere Technologies to launch "community-focused" websites that will be integrated within existing sites now run by Gannett TV stations in 10 U.S. markets, including Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

The new sites will feature "hyperlocal news content and include user-generated content about area happenings and events,'' according to Corporate's statement. "Local businesses will benefit from the opportunity to target their potential customers. In addition to powering the community websites, DataSphere will provide existing Gannett broadcasting websites with enhanced functionality, including market-leading site search, coupons, business directory and ad targeting."

Corporate's statement doe not detail the type of editorial and non-editorial content to be added, however, and it doesn't give a timetable for the changes. The statement also raises other questions: Will the new template for the U.S. newspaper sites -- code-named Project Odyssey, and expected to be launched soon -- also be applied to the broadcasting division's sites? If so, how does the DataSphere deal impact that new template?

In addition to Atlanta and D.C., the other markets are Tampa, Fla.,; Sacramento, Calif.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Little Rock, Ark.; Portland, Maine, and Macon, Ga.

Why we linger in the parking lot before going in

From Somewhere in Michigan, a place that could just as easily be Anyway in America, Anonymous@9:37 a.m. writes today:

It's cold again here in Michigan. I'll make my latest attempt to survive Gannett for a day. I find that's the easiest approach lately.

I never really know what to expect with this place or this company. The indicators all look grim, the workload seems to be more insurmountable each day and my hope fades with each announcement of another pending layoff or furlough.

But I'll show up today. My friends don't get it. They make the argument that I should "just quit if it's so bad." They are, however, as clueless as the leadership.

My family gets it. I see the worry in their faces when I vent about the day. It tears out my insides to see that so I've stopped telling them. They are the constant of joy and happiness in my life and I won't let Gannett touch that.

I'll show up again today. Partly because I was raised that way and mostly because I don't have a choice. I'll pull into the parking lot and drive up to the spot. I'll put the gear in park and inhale deeply as I pull the key from the ignition and open the door to head inside today.

It's cold again here in Michigan.

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