We're cutting staff at the Sentinel, and we're purposely putting nothing in email or memo format so it isn't leaked to Romenesko. We're cutting 50 to 60 people from a newsroom staff of 249. They are all or mostly reporters. The eds had 25 picked last Friday, and, I am told, intend to finish July 4 or 14. Go figure. We were told 2 weeks ago that the buyout package is being paid for from the pension plan.Folks: It's ugly and getting uglier. Vote now at www.tellzell.com
Thursday, June 26, 2008
FlotSam and JetSam
Word is that the LA Times will do mostly layoffs this round, with only limited or no buyouts. It'll be a slow roll out to keep things legal and not trigger WARN Act requirements, which kick in with mass layoffs of more than 50 people. Announcement expected in a week. Numbers still in flux. Watch for that tap on the shoulder, folks...Senior managers are floating a plan to make the LA Times free. Seems like somebody should read about publicity-shy mogul Philip Anschutz, who pioneered the idea with the SF and DC Examiners with limited success....The idea of a business-generated LA Times magazine was supposedly killed, yet still beats. Randy Michaels is a big supporter, and they are supposedly opening an office in Santa Monica. Like slime mold, it refuses to die...Selling the LAT building is not a new idea. Discussed under previous publishers, who also couldn't find buyers. For all his talk of new thinking, Zell's ideas are more worn than the newsroom carpet...Why is the Los Angeles Times Media Group hiring 23 people when the newsroom is getting slashed? For that matter, what, exactly, is the LATMG these days?...Update on 6/29: This from an anonymous Orlando Sentineler:
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6 comments:
a free newspaper ain't a bad idea. circulation isn't the problem, it's advertising. and we can charge more for ads if we get deeper penetration.
there's a porn joke in there someplace, but I won't reach for it.
anyway, it seems a little dickish to not even float the idea of buyouts. and of course the web folks are hiring. they are the future, and lee abrams love the future almost as much as he loves bong resin. and everyone knows that you can't retrain a "regular" journalist to be hip and new and internet-savvy.
Would love to know how much this new magazine is costing the LAT. The editor and art director wouldn't come for less than 200,000 I'm betting, being from the magazine world and all. But as long as it's under the stewardship of the biz side, it's bound to be total crap. As evidence, I offer up the laughable Metromix, which they consider a class act.
They will all get new jobs. The unemployment stats are up but I still see many high paying jobs posted on employment sites i.e.
http://www.realmatch.com
http://www.monster.com
http://www.simplyhired.com
There seems to be a strong demand for professionals desite the stats
Mr. Jennings, are you smoking from Randy Michaels' bong? How can you possibly say all of these people are going to get jobs. I assume you are speaking from the comfort of employment. Go on Romenesko and you'll find an item about 900 jobs being lost in newsrooms just this week. I know terrifically qualified editors and art directors who are still searching after months in an ever-narrowing pool of available jobs. And that's not counting all the people still employed at the LAT who are desperately sending out resumes. I do hope and pray, however, that every single person does find a job.
Hear, hear to anonymous.
As for Mr. Jennings, your irritating insensitivity and ill-informed opinions make me wonder if you're not already working for Sam Zell ... in a senior-level position, of course. Or perhaps you're aspiring to do so. You certainly seem to have what it takes.
There are millions of jobs posted on the web and employers pay hundreds of dollars to post them. I’m sure you are friendly with a lot of people still looking for work...and while that may just be a coincidence, I think it just speaks to the quality of your social circle. The world needs ditch diggers too.
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