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From The Publisher in Palm Beach

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Moderator1, May 2, 2008.

  1. Moderator1

    Moderator1 Moderator Staff Member

    via The Pipeline. Sounds like he's saying People, Prepare Your Resumes:

    Folks,



    Now that I’ve completed my first month here at Palm Beach Newspapers, I felt the time was appropriate to communicate with you on the state of our company. After one month of “drinking from the fire hose” to learn about our people, our market and our business, I can see a lot of challenges, but even more opportunities ahead.



    I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. You’ve made me feel very comfortable here, and you all have been very welcoming. There is a tremendous amount of talent here at PBNI. In the past few years, you’ve demonstrated your ability to band together and successfully battle an aggressive competitor. Now, we need to channel our talent, determination and collective energy toward future successes here.



    It’s no secret that the current state of the newspaper industry, coupled with South Florida’s dramatic real estate decline, has significantly impacted our company. In just two short years, we have lost 25% of our advertising revenue base — primarily in the lucrative Real Estate segment, but also in many categories that feed off a healthy market…such as employment, automobiles, furniture, and even restaurants.



    I truly believe that our market — Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast — promises a prosperous long-term future for us. When the market rebounds — and it will — we need to be in a better position to capitalize on this opportunity. This will require a re-tooling of our company to be more efficient in our processes, and with a broader portfolio of products to capture new readers and website viewers.



    The reality is that if we do not change, we will not operate profitably this year or beyond. We’re going to have to re-evaluate and prioritize what is most important for our audience and for our advertisers. We will have to make tough choices about where we invest in our products and throughout our operation. We are working on plans now to become a smaller company, but one that remains a necessary part of the lives of our readers. I know that you are anxious to know how we will get smaller. Obviously, this is difficult and sensitive work, and I will communicate with you as soon as we have some specifics to report. I also plan to have department employee meetings during the summer with you.



    We will also be working hard to turn our revenue performance in a positive direction again. But revenue performance aside, our audience numbers are stable with 50% of the market reading us in print and online — second best in the state amongst major metro newspaper companies. Among local media companies, PalmBeachPost.com reaches the largest online audience in this market. We need to leverage this strength for more print, niche and online products to drive new revenues.



    We are working on plans to fix our cost structure but we will quickly turn our attention back to growing our audiences and revenues. We plan to step in to 2009 a much stronger media company positioned to withstand the current economic challenges and begin growing our business through the strong relationships we have with our customers.



    We will continue to be the leading media company in print and online in our marketplace for years to come. Thank you for your continued commitment to this company, to your colleagues, and to our readers and advertisers.



    Doug



    Doug Franklin

    Publisher

    The Palm Beach Post

    Palm Beach Daily News

    Florida Pennysaver

    La Palma
     
  2. dooley_womack1

    dooley_womack1 Well-Known Member

    Shit, can't anyone just say, "we're gonna cut jobs"? We get this sickening corporatespeak over and over.
     
  3. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    "Drinking from the fire hose"?? How about siphoning from the gas pump?
     
  4. Simon_Cowbell

    Simon_Cowbell Active Member

    "opportunities"


    He should be sued by the word "opportunities" for libel.
     
  5. Simon_Cowbell

    Simon_Cowbell Active Member

    "Truly" is another corporate, time-stealing weasel lie word.
     
  6. SportsDude

    SportsDude Active Member

    Orwell would gag himself if he read a modern corporate memo.
     
  7. JR

    JR Well-Known Member

    Speaking of corporate weasel words, our slimy ass VP Ops, sent out one of his usual "barely from inches English" communiques the other day and asked managers to "cascade this e-mail to those not on Lotus Notes".

    Can anyone explain to me what the hell "cascade" means in that context?

    He's the same idiot who, at our Decembe dinner/Xmas party, got up to thank God for sending Jesus our way. I guess he didn't now that at least half the people at the function were Hindus, Sikhs & Muslims.

    Fucking tool.
     
  8. Flying Headbutt

    Flying Headbutt Moderator Staff Member

    Well when he says things like...

    .... I wonder how well resume paper is selling at places like Staples and what have you?
     
  9. Moderator1

    Moderator1 Moderator Staff Member

    Working on plans now to become a smaller company *** Jeez, dude, just say it.
    "Some of you gonna be outta here soon."
     
  10. awriter

    awriter Active Member

    A 50 percent penetration rate and they're still going to lay off people? Wow.
     
  11. Moderator1

    Moderator1 Moderator Staff Member

    50 percent is GOOD? Half the people are not reading you in print or online and that's good?
     
  12. Flying Headbutt

    Flying Headbutt Moderator Staff Member

    Well if you give them less to read, maybe the short attention spanners will start to pick you up?

    Wait, that ISN'T how it works?
     
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