DFM latest to drop the axe

[Readallover]

Saw this posted to Twitter @dfmworkers
The Chico Enterprise-Record just furloughed (but essentially laid off) their sports desk, including one reporter who was awarded a CNPA first-place prize 15 minutes before learning of his fate.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

So is that an indefinite furlough, with the opportunity to come back down the road if/when things return to normal?

 

[WillCDenner]

I'm the reporter referenced above in the tweet from @DFMWorkers. Myself and one other reporter, who split time between the sports desk and NorCal design hub located in our building, were both furloughed for 4-6 weeks. However, that length of time is entirely dependent on not only the shelter-in-place order, but also what kind of shape the business is in. So I'm skeptical as to when, or even if, a job is waiting on the other end of this thing.

In the meantime, I'd like to do whatever possible to keep writing and reporting. If anyone has any work available, please let me know. I can be reached at wcd313 at gmail dot com, or on Twitter @WillCDenner. To get a better idea of my focus and experience, feel free to check out my work samples at williamdenner.com.

Thank you for bringing attention to our situation.

 

[Readallover]

I’m hearing the Philly cluster got hit hard - again.

 

[I Should Coco]

That sucks, Will. Hope you can find something better ... and in the meantime, get unemployment benefits if possible.

Unfortunately, we've had layoffs at our shop, too.

 

[JimmyHoward33]

Looks like bunch of sackings at Boston Herald as well

 

[SportsGuyBCK]

Looks like bunch of sackings at Boston Herald as well

At least one I know of, Marisa Ingemi, who was the Bruins/women's hockey (and soon to be doing WNBA), was outright canned ... not laid off ...

 

[HanSenSE]

There's been layoffs at Entercom (sp) Radio as well. Two in sports at KCBS, Bruce Macgowan and Joe Salvatore.

 

[Matt Stephens]

Boston Herald laid off its sports editor, who's one of the best in the business.

Denver Post had four layoffs in the newsroom today.

 

[MTM]

It hit many properties

MNG/Alden just launched a flurry of layoffs and furloughs as local news readership soars in coronavirus crisis

 

[HanSenSE]

John Devine, the lone sports guy at the Monterey Herald, off the payroll.

 

[ChrisLong]

One sports writer in the L.A. group posted on Facebook tonight that all of the sports writers are being forced to take two one-week furloughs this month. He is taking off next week, working a week, then furloughing a second week. He said as bad as that is, none of the sports writers among the 11 papers were laid off. Others in the papers were laid off. He did not elaborate.

 

[MileHigh]

One sports writer in the L.A. group posted on Facebook tonight that all of the sports writers are being forced to take two one-week furloughs this month. He is taking off next week, working a week, then furloughing a second week. He said as bad as that is, none of the sports writers among the 11 papers were laid off. Others in the papers were laid off. He did not elaborate.

Good Lord, seriously? Wow.

 

[MileHigh]

Denver Post had four layoffs in the newsroom today.

Who was left to lay off?

 

[LanceyHoward]

It hit many properties

MNG/Alden just launched a flurry of layoffs and furloughs as local news readership soars in coronavirus crisis

This article, which is from a group of DFM workers newsletter, says the Denver Post laid off 13.

 

[LanceyHoward]

One sports writer in the L.A. group posted on Facebook tonight that all of the sports writers are being forced to take two one-week furloughs this month. He is taking off next week, working a week, then furloughing a second week. He said as bad as that is, none of the sports writers among the 11 papers were laid off. Others in the papers were laid off. He did not elaborate.

I wonder longer LANG has. A document was leaked that indicated in the period ending June 30, 2017 LANG had margins that were only about eight percent, while other papers in the chain had much higher margins.

Leaked financial report shows jaw-dropping profits for ‘outlaw’ newspaper owner

LANG also is facing a competitor in the LA Times that has an owner who is much more willing to invest in the product than DFM. So LANG has less flexibility to raise subscription rates, etc. to increase short term profits. Given the revenue declines the industry has seen since 2017 and now this I wonder if LANG makes it to Christmas.

 

[Matt Stephens]

This article, which is from a group of DFM workers newsletter, says the Denver Post laid off 13.

Thirteen total, four in the newsroom, I believe. I've heard no reporters were lost.

 

[Readallover]

It will be interesting to how many in the suburban Philly cluster take the voluntary buyout offer. The buzz is take it or be laid off next year when the current contract prohibition against layoffs expires. We'll know by Tuesday how many decided to accept. I'm predicting more than one dozen will decide to go now.

 

[HanSenSE]

From BANG's 49ers beat writer.

 

[Readallover]

I'm hearing all freelancers and paid contributers are gone at the Philly area papers as of Friday. Sports and news sides.