We have finally resolved a question brought by the Names Subcommittee (chaired by the Hon. Judith “Judge Judy” Sheindlin), and co-sponsored by the Diversity Subcommittee. That question:
For the sake of brevity, may we relax the so-called nickname rule for Gannett’s CEO — given its length? (The nickname’s; not Dubow’s!)
Amid some trepidation, the Committee agreed to the subcommittee’s request — with the understanding that on first reference, whenever practical, Gannett’s CEO should be identified as: Craig “Former Atlanta TV Ad Salesman” Dubow.
You may now return to your Information Center.
Gannett Blog 
July 30, 2008 at 6:17 PM |
Wow… This coming from Jim “The Coward” Hopkins.
July 30, 2008 at 6:21 PM |
Thanks for stopping by, Craig!
July 30, 2008 at 6:28 PM |
Jim,
Since I read you’re busy enjoying life today, (yes I am jealous), I thought I would pass along to the anti-Gannett whiners who call this blog home that the stock price was UP again today.
Gannett closed at $18.39, up another 34 cents. I didn’t want that good news to go unnoticed here on the blog.
We get headlines when the stock tumbles, but little mention when it does well.
OK, whiners, jump in and explain why stablization of the stock price is such a bad thing … c’mon, you can do it ….
July 30, 2008 at 7:28 PM |
Actually, @7:28 pm: While I disagree with the premise of your question, I’m tickled pink (har!) that you took the initiative to post the closing stock price here. As I’ve said before, there are 46,000 Gannett employees, but just one of me. I can always use extra help.
July 30, 2008 at 8:06 PM |
Jim, @7:28 here, I’m always happy to help provide a balanced and full report. 🙂
July 30, 2008 at 9:48 PM |
34 cents! Well, everything is going to be just fine then, right? No need for any more lay-offs, people! No more chopping away news hole, no more shipping ad design jobs to India, no more amateur blather replacing real journalism. Oh, this day is going down in history.
July 30, 2008 at 10:26 PM |
I knew it … the anti-Gannett whiners finally show up … thank you anon@10:48 for restoring my faith in your ability to bitch/piss/moan no matter what. Thank you!!
If the stock had dropped 34 cents, you would be proclaiming it the darkest day in Gannett history and calling for the immediate removal of all board members, etc.
If not so utterly predictable, it would be humorous.
July 30, 2008 at 11:10 PM |
Now if we can just get the other $72/share back that’s evaporated since 2004 we’ll be golden. To be honest at this stage I’d settle for $60/share again.
July 31, 2008 at 4:54 AM |
Can’t wait until Monday when thousands of people get chopped.
July 31, 2008 at 5:41 AM |
This is for the Gannett shill.
Tell the Gannett writer who was laid off (I mean fired)after 25 years how happy he should be that the stock was up 34 cents.
With your logic, we should be thrilled that gas is down 25 cents a gallon after it went up a buck in the last year.
Let the good times roll.
You’re the kind of employee that Gannett relishes, blindly loyal and heartless. My company right or wrong, as long as YOU have a job.
July 31, 2008 at 8:44 AM |
GCI down 19 cents in early trading …
RESUME CUTBACKS.
July 31, 2008 at 10:20 AM |
Check this out. When Philly and Zell start defaulting GCI stock will take a huge hit.
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jul2008/db20080730_802971.htm?campaign_id=yhoo
July 31, 2008 at 11:05 AM |
Here’s the most specific information I’m hearing about rumors of layoffs. I’ve asked company flak Tara Connell about this 24 hours ago, and still have not heard back. This is based on a single e-mail from a reader who claims to be in a position to know. Take this with a grain of salt.
Gannett’s newspapers, and possibly other worksites, are being asked to reset their payroll budget to the levels in June — minus 1%. In other words, publishers must find a way to trim employee expenses by 1%. Proposals were due to HR on Tuesday, with a final announcement (assuming there’s even an announcement) on Monday — tomorrow at the earliest.
“Look for other changes,” the tipster says, “including a reduction in the number of sections to save labor in press rooms (think: Orlando Sentinel/Chicago Tribune/Los Angeles Times-style) and aggressive geo-consolidations — finance; circulation, including home delivery; human resources and recruiting, and perhaps some news functions (i.e., copy/pagination desks. Wausau, Wis., is the model for smaller, clustered sites).”
July 31, 2008 at 12:12 PM |
Jim, I also sent you a little note about potential cutbacks coming soon too, so I’m wondering now if it really is something we’re going to see sooner than later. My source told me it wasn’t going to be just front-line workers, but possibly some middle-editors in newsrooms.
July 31, 2008 at 2:04 PM |
For the Gannett shill.
Hey, but the stock’s up 4 cents a share.
Isn’t that more important than the journalism?
July 31, 2008 at 2:57 PM |
I have to laugh when I see comments labeling me a “Gannett shill.” Far from it. I have never worked in anyone’s corporate offices.
I am just an old newspaper person trying to get by from day to day and trying to do good journalism while also helping the company make sufficient profit to keep as many people employed as possible.
The “balance” many of you demonstrate on this blog are a good indication of why journalism scores near the bottom on the public trust meters.
I will gladly admit to the truth that the company for which I work is struggling now.
Sadly, the “journalists” on this blog would rather come here and whine and bitch rather than doing what they can to help an ailing industry.
July 31, 2008 at 3:30 PM |
I’m so talented: I can “whine and bitch” here and handle my work responsibilities with aplomb!
It’s really taxing. I somehow make it work.
August 1, 2008 at 9:45 PM |
Hey 7/31/2008 3:57 PM —
I’m so glad you think all of us who post here are nothing but bitchers and whiners.
I busted my ass for Gannett for 10 years and put out a section that actually turned a profit and you know what it got me? A kick in the teeth whenever they felt like they needed to beat on me. I put in 60-hour weeks and never once went to HR saying, “You know, they OUGHT to be paying me overtime, at least a little bit anyway.” I busted my ass for MY readers and MY section and got shit on at every turn.
Oh, and when my section won awards, I found out BY ACCIDENT from the advertising folks.
I did good journalism every day and I continue to do good journalism — but now I do it for a boss who actually appreciates it. And you know what? I even have a life now AND I STILL WORK HARD EVERY DAY. But I don’t resent working hard because I know it’s appreciated.
That’s all any of us “whiners” asks for. If you think it’s fine and dandy to be treated like something scraped off the bottom of someone’s shoe, if that inspires you to do the best job you can, well, you’re right, you’re a far bigger and better person than the rest of us.
Take your self-righteous attitude and shove it, pal.