Ad Production Consolidation to RTC

[exgannettoid]

I'm not sure any newspaper charges for ad production. I've seen it listed as value-added or just one of those expected services.

I've seen newspaper use an agency-style approach, where a creative team created an entire advertising campaign, including print and broadcast, and not charge for it.

In reality, the cost of the production labor is built in the rate; which is why controllers go nuts when the average rate drops. This negatively impacts the P&L as the profit drops along with the rate.

Reducing the labor costs to produce ads would make the overall P&L increase.

[Gannettoid]

For more on this story, read http://www.Gannettoid.com/consolidation.html

[formeremployee]

Contacting customers isn't going to harm Gannett, in fact, it would help. Those ads are still going into the newspaper, so Gannett still makes the profit. However, some customers may be interested in paying their old Gannett graphic designer personally in order to ensure they are getting what they want on their ads from a local, familiar artist. But I certainly think that would violate some policies, so if you choose to do that, proceed with caution. I don't know what the benefits entail with a layoff, but there are no benefits if you are fired.

[Guest]

No Gannett does not charge for ad design services but I think if a customer sends in an ad camera ready there may be a reduced rate. The point I think the person was trying to make is that there is a reason advertisers hire an agency and do not use the paper's graphic artists. No, you won't hurt Gannett but you might help yourself to some extra income. There is no possible way the quality can be retained for the ads that will now be sent to the new Gannett sweat shop hub. As we all know, Gannett does not care about quality but the advertiser does. Provide a service someone wants and you may actually be on the way to starting your own business. I suggest everyone think of something they can do to make money now. It varies from state to state, but unemployment does allow you to make a certain amount before it is deducted from your check.

[Guest]

Contacting customers isn't going to harm Gannett, in fact, it would help. Those ads are still going into the newspaper, so Gannett still makes the profit. However, some customers may be interested in paying their old Gannett graphic designer personally in order to ensure they are getting what they want on their ads from a local, familiar artist. But I certainly think that would violate some policies, so if you choose to do that, proceed with caution. I don't know what the benefits entail with a layoff, but there are no benefits if you are fired.

I have been fired from jobs (2) during my career, and I got unemployment. Yes, layoffs get you unemployment.

Speaking of ads, today one of my stories was cut to make room for an AD!!! It was an important few lines that were cut . . . I'm PISSED!

[Guest]

Without advertising there would be no paper. Sad but true.

[Guest too]

Without advertising there would be no paper. Sad but true.

Yes I know. However if two different sentences were cut instead of a quote, the person (quoted) might tell her organization or group to advertise. Common sense does not mean cut the last inch of copy; it means cut the least important inch of copy.

[Jschool grad, ad designer]

Without advertising there would be no paper. Sad but true.

Yes I know. However if two different sentences were cut instead of a quote, the person (quoted) might tell her organization or group to advertise. Common sense does not mean cut the last inch of copy; it means cut the least important inch of copy.

150 years of inverted pyramid means the last inch always can be cut. If the quote was so important, it should have been revealed to the reader earlier.

[guest]

Without advertising there would be no paper. Sad but true.

Yes I know. However if two different sentences were cut instead of a quote, the person (quoted) might tell her organization or group to advertise. Common sense does not mean cut the last inch of copy; it means cut the least important inch of copy.

150 years of inverted pyramid means the last inch always can be cut. If the quote was so important, it should have been revealed to the reader earlier.

There is also something to be said for sequence, and I, too, learned about the inverted pyramid. That formula doesn't always apply; it's like putting the cart before the horse.

[guest4theday]

does anyone have any experience (first hand or through an acquaintance) with filing for an extension in unemployment benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program based on outsourcing ad production?

[stargazer]

It has been my understanding that if an individual's job was outsourced or otherwise "lost" to another country, one would be able to collect benefits for two years as opposed to the usual one year. Of course, this may vary from state to state. As far as I am concerned, ad production consolidation to RTC has not officially begun. Most of us in production have lost their jobs, either directly or indirectly, to the folks in India. Print out as much documentation as you can, including the website for 2AdPro and bring your case to your local unemployment office.

[madashell]

Someone mentioned that the people who have been with Gannett the longest will be the first ones to go. Yes, that makes sense... but since when does Gannett make sense? I thought the same thing, but here in Fort Myers - the deadwood who have been with the company 15+ years (who have no desire to learn InDesign or upgrade their skills) are still there. They let people go by who had been there the shortest time - not the longest. It doesn't make sense, since those people - just by virtue of their time served - are making more than the people they let go.

Also, DON'T QUIT! Unless you have a solid job offer, let the SOBs lay you off so that you can collect unemployment. If you quit, you're screwed!

As far as designers/creatives trying to lure clients away from Gannett: It's possible, but a lot harder than it might seem. I've been trying to do that since last December when I got laid off. I've had some success, but it's hard because Gannett doesn't charge for ad design. Of course, that mentality might all change once this stupid consolication starts. If the quality of the ads drops (which it probably will), we might have a good chance of taking business away from Gannett. My suggestion is to keep a list of clients, phone number, etc.... burn a DVD of any logos you might need... keep copies of ads for reference material and your portfolio... and most important of all - learn as much as you can about InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver and Flash! Those are the programs people are hiring for. If you can do any kind of web design work - you're ahead of the game. Jobs in web design are available and you can work from home.

We all know the end is near for ad builders and creatives... now is the time to prepare. Start puting money aside from every paycheck now. You'll need it! Get your resumes and portfolios up to date. Think outside the box. Look to places like Craig's List for jobs - even if they are temp or piece work. You can survive after being laid off, but I can guarantee that it won't be easy. Just be prepared.

[Guest]

You can also bid on design jobs on guru.com

[happilyeverafter]

We all know the end is near for ad builders and creatives... now is the time to prepare. Start puting money aside from every paycheck now. You'll need it! Get your resumes and portfolios up to date. Think outside the box. Look to places like Craig's List for jobs - even if they are temp or piece work. You can survive after being laid off, but I can guarantee that it won't be easy. Just be prepared.

And this is the beauty of KNOWING it is coming. You can prepare.

Having been part of the July blood bath I can tell you that the shock was tremendous. I was paralyzed for the first month afterwards. But seeing what my co-workers are facing now makes me kind of glad to already be gone. Even though I haven't found a job yet I know I will be fine, I'm a survivor, and I sure as hell will find something a lot less stressful than what I went through with Gannett the last several years. I'm sure that wherever I land it will be a place with more integrity than the one I left.

[soon 2 B not there]

We all know the end is near for ad builders and creatives... now is the time to prepare. Start puting money aside from every paycheck now. You'll need it! Get your resumes and portfolios up to date. Think outside the box. Look to places like Craig's List for jobs - even if they are temp or piece work. You can survive after being laid off, but I can guarantee that it won't be easy. Just be prepared.

And this is the beauty of KNOWING it is coming. You can prepare.

Having been part of the July blood bath I can tell you that the shock was tremendous. I was paralyzed for the first month afterwards. But seeing what my co-workers are facing now makes me kind of glad to already be gone. Even though I haven't found a job yet I know I will be fine, I'm a survivor, and I sure as hell will find something a lot less stressful than what I went through with Gannett the last several years. I'm sure that wherever I land it will be a place with more integrity than the one I left.

I'm in editorial however I've been watching this happen since December. At first I didn't want to believe something weird was happening however once they started making us take furlough time I knew it was downhill. Last week I opted out of the process after scrambling to find two jobs I thought were like my job - yet the risks were too great. My portfolio is current, I've many recommendations and references, and I wish my colleagues and coworkers the best. I bet survivor's guilt will be high after next week.

[Guest]

I bet survivor's guilt will be high after next week.

What is this is reference to? Something happening we don't know about?

[soon 2 B not there]

I bet survivor's guilt will be high after next week.

What is this is reference to? Something happening we don't know about?

My entire post was:

I'm in editorial however I've been watching this happen since December. At first I didn't want to believe something weird was happening however once they started making us take furlough time I knew it was downhill. Last week I opted out of the process after scrambling to find two jobs I thought were like my job - yet the risks were too great. My portfolio is current, I've many recommendations and references, and I wish my colleagues and coworkers the best. I bet survivor's guilt will be high after next week.

and I was commenting on the situation in general since I'm at the JN until Friday.

[Guest]

Ad consolidation was announced today at The News Journal in Wilmington, DE.

[Gannettoid]

For more on the ad consolidation, go to the Gannettoid.com home page.

Dickey e-mail to publishers: http://www.Gannettoid.com/rabc0902.html
Gannett Q&A: http://www.Gannettoid.com/rabc0902qa.html
Gannett Q&A: http://www.Gannettoid.com/rabc0902qa.html
Gannett release to employees: http://www.Gannettoid.com/rabc0902release.html
Austin Ryan note to publishers: http://www.Gannettoid.com/rabc0902ryan.html

[Guest]

Yeah – they'll be rewarded alright — with a kick in the ass and an unemployment check!
Is this guy living in reality? Everyone needs to look for jobs NOW!

We are also working with HR and others here at corporate on retention plans for staff as this project will take numerous months to roll out and it will be important to retain staff during this time and reward them for their efforts.