Jim Hopkins over at Gannett Blog has reported that Gannett employees are going to have to re-apply for their jobs. The Business Journal picked up the story and the Republic made a classic blunder by not denying the story immediately. So this is what the Journal ran...
Employees at The Arizona Republic and KPNX-TV Channel 12 may have to re-apply for their jobs as their corporate parent, Gannett Co.tries to navigate the challenging media and advertising terrain.
Gannett spokeswoman Laura Dalton said Wednesday the media company does not discuss personnel matters.
This must have caused quite a firestorm--can you imagine Linda Valdez trying to actually get re-hired?
Instead of denying the story immediately, the Republic waited for the Business Journal article to run and cause widespread panic....then Publisher John Zidich issued a denial...which forced the Business Journal to rehash Gannett's problems in a new story that corrects the old one.
Arizona Republic CEO and Publisher John Zidich says employees at the daily newspaper and at KPNX-TV Channel 12 in Phoenix are not being asked to reapply for their jobs.
Dude, hire a professional. Just because you guys own a paper, doesn't mean that you know how to deal with a paper...in fact, owning one may make you less qualified to deal with one. I recommend you hire Stan Barnes, Jason Rose or Chuck Coughlin to handle these things in the future.
Call me cynical, but I would imagine Valdez would be re-hired immediately. Bob Robb -- he's the one that should sweat.
Posted by: George | March 15, 2012 at 05:54 PM
Zidich later issued a clarification noting that employees are not being asked to reapply for their jobs AT THIS TIME. You know, just in case the hearing aid, dental implant and Amish space heater advertisers go away and they have to stop printing the paper.
Posted by: Peeves | March 15, 2012 at 05:54 PM
Jeez Greg, You must really hate the Republic if you're suggesting they seek PR counsel from Jason Rose.
Posted by: Conway | March 16, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Excellent article, it was recommended to me via the folks at www.gio-espresso.co.uk and www.gio-kitchen.co.uk, brilliant read.
Posted by: Coffee Machines | March 21, 2012 at 07:09 PM
Excellent article,
but i think you must really hate the Republic if you're suggesting they seek PR counsel from Jason Rose.
Posted by: oxygen monitor | March 29, 2012 at 11:52 AM