Gannett consolidating ad production services

[Gannettoid]

The Dow Jones group is consolidating ad production:

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs. ... 303/-1/BIZ

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbc ... /908250308

[another guest]

It'd be great if you could post this information, but if you choose not to, please e-mail me at news@gannettoid.com. I would not post anything you don't want me to, but I'd like to ask about this.

Thanks

the meeting was at the newspress in fort myers florida.
the managers neither confirmed or denied the report because they flat out didn't know. they originally claimed that our publisher wasn't aware of this report either but saying as she has posted on this site before I find that hard to believe.
the main point they tried to get across was that nothing has officially been announced and they didn't see how it could even work for our paper, so we should just ignore the "rumours" and continue working our best.
I don't doubt they are going to continue to sweep this under the rug and a know a few oblivious others will pretend like nothing is happening and believe every word they are told. however I will be getting my resume together and looking for a new job. the simple fact is we are all going to get laid off within the next year and I for one want to be prepared for that.

There was a similar meeting in Phoenix last Friday. Managers basically said the same thing, as far as they knew everything was still business as usual for the foreseeable future. My resume is already updated and I'm working on a "Plan B" and a "Plan C". Might have to work in another industry or even leave Phoenix if I am laid off. Very few design jobs with any company in this market right now, even web design jobs. No money or time to go back to school to be a web designer. Phoenix unemployment rate for July was 8.4%.

[Guest]

It'd be great if you could post this information, but if you choose not to, please e-mail me at news@gannettoid.com. I would not post anything you don't want me to, but I'd like to ask about this.

Thanks

the meeting was at the newspress in fort myers florida.
the managers neither confirmed or denied the report because they flat out didn't know. they originally claimed that our publisher wasn't aware of this report either but saying as she has posted on this site before I find that hard to believe.
the main point they tried to get across was that nothing has officially been announced and they didn't see how it could even work for our paper, so we should just ignore the "rumours" and continue working our best.
I don't doubt they are going to continue to sweep this under the rug and a know a few oblivious others will pretend like nothing is happening and believe every word they are told. however I will be getting my resume together and looking for a new job. the simple fact is we are all going to get laid off within the next year and I for one want to be prepared for that.

There was a similar meeting in Phoenix last Friday. Managers basically said the same thing, as far as they knew everything was still business as usual for the foreseeable future. My resume is already updated and I'm working on a "Plan B" and a "Plan C". Might have to work in another industry or even leave Phoenix if I am laid off. Very few design jobs with any company in this market right now, even web design jobs. No money or time to go back to school to be a web designer. Phoenix unemployment rate for July was 8.4%.

I think more of these meetings will start happening at other papers. Not that it's really going to do much good. I think our immediate managers were made to hold the meeting. So at no fault of their own it was a complete waste of time because they simply don't know what's going on.
I don't think they will address the issue at our newspaper until more info surfaces or something is officially announced. But knowing Gannett that probably won't be till a month or so before the plan goes into effect.

Most of us are in a similar boat to you. There are no jobs in Fort Myers, I think the unemployment rate is somewhere around 13%. I know a couple of other designers who have just left the state completely to find work. More than likely I will end up doing the same.
It's a crappy situation for everyone, but my plan is to just continue to work my hardest and hope I can find a new job before I'm laid off

[formeremployee]

the meeting was at the newspress in fort myers florida.

That is the paper for which I am a former employee. I'm really not worried about exposing my identity because I don't think anyone who was a manager to me will still be working there if I ever need a reference. I had a suspicion that would be the paper that held the meeting in which management claimed to have no idea what was going on. That was very typical in my experience and it's especially angering to see that this has been in the works for over a year. I guess they can't really just come out and tell the whole truth, but telling people that it may not happen and to just keep truckin' along . . . that is playing with people's lives on a level that is so inhumane it's almost incomprehensible.

I'd just like to thank the person who runs this website for helping to keep people informed. And I'm sorry to whoever you are, Guest, I'm sure you're someone I know. I'm glad to know that my friends in Fort Myers are aware of what's happening. I didn't feel it was my place to tell them.

[Gannettoid]

There was a similar meeting in Phoenix last Friday. Managers basically said the same thing, as far as they knew everything was still business as usual for the foreseeable future. My resume is already updated and I'm working on a "Plan B" and a "Plan C". Might have to work in another industry or even leave Phoenix if I am laid off. Very few design jobs with any company in this market right now, even web design jobs. No money or time to go back to school to be a web designer. Phoenix unemployment rate for July was 8.4%.

another guest, can you provide any more details? Did any manager from Phoenix directly say they did not know of any plans or that there were none?

[exgannettoid]

All,

It's quite probable that your Publishers know, superficially, that ad production is going away, but even they probably don't have details yet.
The bigger question is this:

When Gannett announces the plan, to whom will it be announced? Publishers? Ad Directors? Production Directors? And, how will the information be announced to the staff? Mass meetings? E-mail? Not at all?

This could be a paper-by-paper decision, with little or no direction from Corporate.

[Gannettoid]

A recap/update on this topic has been posted at www.Gannettoid.com/rabc0827.html.

[guest]

Please!!! The publishers know what is going down and when it will happen!

[yet another guest]

Please!!! The publishers know what is going down and when it will happen!

Do they take us for fools!! We know how to find information long before it's told to us. Shame on them!

[exgannettoid]

There has been a lot of talk about Publishers knowing and not telling.

I'd like to offer this up for thought:

Have you ever thought the Publishers only know what they're told. Often, they're told things in a big picture way, but not the specifics.

As in "in 2010, ad building is going away" or "ad building will be consolidated in 2010."

They, more often than not, probably do not know the specifics ahead of time.

Just a thought.

[KrayolaKat]

You got that right, they know what is going one. They have to. I still remember the look on my supervisor's face when I told him of upcoming layoffs, about 3 weeks before July 9. His jaw dropped and eyes bugged out. Either he is a great actor or was really in the dark. But the publishers know, from the get go. Don't let them tell you they don't... they do!

[newsie]

You got that right, they know what is going one. They have to. I still remember the look on my supervisor's face when I told him of upcoming layoffs, about 3 weeks before July 9. His jaw dropped and eyes bugged out. Either he is a great actor or was really in the dark. But the publishers know, from the get go. Don't let them tell you they don't... they do!

I'll never forget the tone in Fisch's voice when he made that announcement two weeks ago. It's easier to be stoic when delivering bad news than pretend you don't know what's going on, and besides, during interviews he admitted the restructuring has been in the works for about a year. Just wait until they restructure him out the door.

[guest]

Thank you! Believe me the publishers know and so do the managers! Wake up and get out!

[Guest]

It's not so easy to just "get out". Have you looked for design jobs lately? They are far and few in between. Many people that I have talked to are going to ride the storm until the end. That way they can at least file for unemployment until they can find a new job. Many people have been here so long they have worked up their pay and vacations. Many people need this job to pay the bills and to have insurance...for them and their families. It's not like we can just get pissed off and quit. People depend on this job to make a living until they can find something else.

[Guest]

I am so sorry! Yes, by all means hang on to the very end. I am a designer and there are no jobs out there for the print industry. I just want people to start looking for an other opportunity!

[stargazer]

There are a number of graphic designer jobs out there. Most of us are not qualified for them, however. One needs experience/training in web, etc. Ride the wave to the end, collect severance/unemployment, relax and enjoy your life. Pick up some training or head into a new direction. If you do decide to stay in graphic design, remember that those who have left before you are hot on the trail of said positions. Go to indeed.com and you'll see quite a few openings and note the salaries posted. Bet it beats your current pay rate by a hefty margin!

[Guest]

Thanks for the tip. I will check out the site!

[Guest]

I'm surprised that no one has posted this. Just look at the construction work being done next to the RTC in Indianapolis on the third floor. It is safe to say that this is the new work environment for the drones. I believe (the construction) should be done in the next 30 days.

[Guest]

Ok so Graphic Designers will be eliminated.What happens to Creative Artists?

[Guest]

Aren't they the same thing??