Romenesko also got hold of a memo sent from Dave Butler, head of MNG's California papers, that also says no national copy desk is planned, but indicates more regional clustering is probable. I'm reprinting the memos here, both taken from the Romenesko website. First Dave, then Dean:
Fellow MNG editors:
FYI. I spoke to Dean Singleton this afternoon about the statement put out by the Guild regarding a national copy editing center. Below is his response to their press release. I would further add that we have two projects going on that fly in the face of any “national” center. We have consultant Ken Harding working with editors in Denver, Salt Lake and St. Paul to figure out ways to make local news production more efficient at each paper, and just yesterday a group from BANG went to LANG to exchange ideas on how we might streamline our regional desks. We also have some mini-regional desks around the company and may, at some point, consider more. Like most other newspaper companies, regionalization — where appropriate — seems to work well. Would we rule out doing something else? Nope. But the capital costs of one center and the challenges involved seem pretty daunting to me. Please share this information as is appropriate.
-Dave
*******
Dean’s statement:
The Newspaper Guild on Friday issued a press release referring to a casual phone conversation I had with Bernie Lunser, president of the Guild, concerning the future of the newspaper industry and how newspapers can better serve their readers in print, online and on mobile products.
Contrary to the assertions made in the release, there are no plans for “national consolidation” of MNG’s editing processes.
While we constantly assess better ways to serve our readers in this changing and uncertain world, including the Guild in these considerations are not a part of those assessments.
The irresponsible Guild press release is a perfect example of why we don’t.
There is no future for any of us if we continue to live in the past. Someone should tell that to the Guild.
- Dean
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21 comments:
I wonder if they're going to actually ask the people who do the work for their input, suggestions and ideas this time, or if they're just going to have a "consultant" talk to the people in the glass offices. And then launch another half-assed copy desk "consolidation" plan and have to un-launch it a few months later.
You really wonder? Do what is right, you are joking. The commute should be a real beaut. I really believe what anyone a this group says, don't you?
In his " no national consolidation plan" statement, he could have left out two words, national consolidation.
Love how Uncle Lean says it was "irresponsible" for the union to put out the press release. Nice choice of words because there are thousands of journalists who would use the same word of Uncle Lean's approach to newspapers and journalism the past 20 years.
Try international - like India ! Now that's a commute.
-Alden Capital Group/MediaNews buys OCReg ( Auction in less than three weeks ) consolidates copy desk with the OCR with the OCR being the main hub. Reason being is a more superior Web staff and the OCPreps model is the most popular part. LANG is all over the map.
Also they made everyone dump vacation down to near nothing and cut Pay 5.5 %, employees are thinned and ready to be moved.
This will result in job losses at both LANG and OCR so figure that 3 weeks the auction, another month of "planning" people have until the end of March.
When does the vacation accrual end? Ohhhh Preeeerrrfect.
Honestly, based on past experience, I wouldn't be surprised by anything they do. Unless they do the right thing. Then I would be completely and utterly shocked.
Bloomberg
Bids For All Or Parts Of Freedom Reportedly Likely In Next Few Weeks
02/7/2011
In the next few weeks, bids for all or parts of Freedom Communications Inc. could be received, with a single deal or several expected to follow “not long after that”, the Los Angeles Times reported citing unnamed executives at several media companies. Several of the executives stated that Freedom is likely to divest properties on a piecemeal basis. A number of scenarios have drawn speculation, including the Register becoming part of a consolidation of two or more Southern California newspapers. The Wall Street Journal reported citing an unnamed source that Alden Global Capital wants to combine some of the newspapers into one company. Alden Global Capital is part of a consortium of lenders that hold a stake in Freedom. Tribune Co. and The San Diego Union-Tribune have also been mentioned as a potential bidder for all or parts of Freedom.
How do you tell when Dean or one of his managers is lying? Their lips are moving.
"Like most other newspaper companies, regionalization — where appropriate — seems to work well."
I await evidence of anything that Butler has done that even "seems to work well," let alone actually works well.
You will live forever waiting.
"I await evidence of anything that Butler has done that even "seems to work well," let alone actually works well. February 12, 2011 8:27 AM"
Butler has done a great job at moving himself up the ladder and fattening his own bank account.
"local news production more efficient at each paper"
Here's my input. People that live in the area and have worked in the same place for a time KNOW the area. There are many times street names, city names, public people's names, etc., are published wrong simply because the people coming in don't know anything about the local area. That's how you begin to give the readers a better newspaper.
Lean Dean, my consulting fee is $1 million and you'll make much more if you follow this advise. Send me a brinks truck with the cash, I don''t trust your checks.Thanks.
I'm so confused.
So, according to Singleton, the King of Konsolidation, he's having casual conversations with the guild about consolidation ideas he has no intention of implementing? Uh, why?
Even if taken at face value, what a dumb idea. If you're not going to do something like that, why would you plant the idea in the heads of a group of employees you have terrorized for the last decade with shortsighted consolidation measures? And then act indignant when they react?
Does he have any idea how retarded this makes him appear?
remmeber the same thing happened with rumors of bankruptcy months before he filed? rumors were swirling and he emphatically denied it and put out a statement denying. then it came true. hmmm.
No updates since Friday? Gary Scott must be on furlough
He must be using Unisys. Or maybe working on consolodation? HA
LANG is a mess with no hope in sight. Too bad for the great workers who give their all for basically nothing.
My paying job - and a cold - conspired to keep me away.
he is having conversations because he hasn't a clue on what to do. I'd be surprised if he could recite the alphabet in the correct order. his past performance is as clear an indicator as one could look to. most things he does are ass backwards, no exception here.
Send in the clowns, no, wait, they're allready here.
so, despot dean is acquiring the rest of colorado newspapers and calls them "outstanding"...they won't be for long.
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