Yet another layoff at my small shop

Second ad rep in two months got laid off today at my shop. We're already bare bones in the newsroom, and I mean bare bones, so we're actually hiring another reporter. I guess the performance of an ad rep is pretty cut and dry with sales numbers.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

Call this callous, which it probably is, but I don't understand why these people aren't getting cut if ads aren't up to par. We've lost 30% of our news staff in the past year and not a single ad rep.

You think in this job climate there wouldn't be people lined up to try their hands at selling ads, especially if they're on commission? Survival of the fittest, baby. Let 'em go and start anew.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

Ad reps, at least at my shop, still get an hourly wage with commission on top of base pay.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

fuckabunchofthoselazybastards.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

Even the littlest fish getting fried -- tiny Fostoria, OH newspaper lays off staff:

http://www.reviewtimes.com/

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

If the economy is bad, wouldn't that make selling ads harder? I don't doubt there's lazy ad reps out there, but asking them to sell a shit-ton more ads is like asking a reporter why they aren't winning Pulitzers for their Tinytown Water Board coverage. It's possible, but let's be real.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

i've worked at many newspapers. every one of those lazy fucks -- ok, 90 percent -- fit the same MO. and you can attribute much of the reason why online ad sales are so razor thin on these people.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

I second that. An ad rep at one of my old shops used to brag about how he would often go home and play video games or squeeze in a round of golf during his shift.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

Podunk's ad reps are busting ass.

It just isn't doing much good.

It's easy to blame the ad reps for this mess. But in *most* cases, it simply isn't their fault.

The furlough days for ad reps bug me. Don't we want them working as much as possible in the quest for new revenue?

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

if ad reps are busting their collective ass at your shop, you should take a picture and share it with the rest of us.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

I third the sentiment. The problem is our ad reps are revenue neutral. They work on commission so they don't cost the company any real money if the don't sell. They just don't bring in any at all, which in my opinion is just as bad and costly.

 

Re: Another ad rep bites the dust at my shop

I concur. Ours typically leave midday to get a manicure, pedicure or tan.