Another gut punch...

It was announced at my shop last night that in 3 weeks, we will be outsourcing our press runs.

And the hits just keep on coming -- 20 more good, hard-working people losing their jobs.

 

That's a tough deal, Colton.

I think the lack of response is simply because people are so weary of these regular dispatches of bad news for the newspaper business.

 

Sad but true.

We had a staff meeting last week, and our ME tried to placate us about yet another reporter position not being filled with this:

"This past year (2011), our advertising revenue was half of what it was in 2009. Just about any other business would be closed with numbers like that."

 

That's awful, Colton. And it's sad that when I saw the thread title on the twitter feed I knew exactly what board this was going to be on.

 

Just about any other business would be happy with 5-10 percent profit margin.

In newspapers, it's just another excuse to cut salary, furlough and/or lay off more people. And how many of the suits making these decisions are cutting or freezing their salaries in the process?

 

Ugh.

I never thought I'd be able to see myself out of newspapers. Now, I'm not sure I can ever see myself at another newspaper.

Hope all those folks getting laid off find jobs that actually pay them well and realize they are valuable assets to the company.

 

CNHI?

 

Sorry to hear that.

How will deadlines be affected? Will you be able to get in night scores?

 

This was my first stop in the business, as well as the local paper I grew up reading. Is it odd or overly sentimental that I'm thinking of stopping by to watch one final press run there before it's all over?

 

Yes, but odd and overly sentimental in a way only we can understand and embrace. I hope you do it, and maybe take the pressman out for a beverage or breakfast after. I have a few bucks to throw into the hat.

 

Yes.

 

I always said newspapers would be a great place to work if it weren't for publishers making things as unpleasant as they could possibly be.