Memphis Commercial Appeal layoffs

Much of the online group got the ax at our place recently.

It's just fallen on the assigning editors and reporters themselves to handle that part of it. Online "producers" were a middleman deemed expendable. Only reason print personnel were spared is that the assigning editors and reporters can't work 18-hour days doing that part, too.

 

This is what happened to a former co-worker who apparently just got cut in Knoxville, based on the staff list that had her name on it a month ago and no longer does. A designer/copy editor with 15 years experience, she was shifted to digital when Knoxville's design and editing jobs were moved to the central hub in Nashville after the Gannett purchase. Sadly, she had the opportunity to move to the Nashville hub but decided to stick with the digital job in Knoxville because she thought it had a better future.

 

For what it's worth, the Gannett site has a TON of job listings posted today, and a lot of them are in Nashville. They're mostly behind the scenes (account executives, etc.), but it does make me wonder what Gannett has planned. One statewide paper, zoned three ways? Seven days a week?

 

You could hand out solid gold bars to people in Memphis, and if they come from Nashville they'll be rejected on principle.

 

Where da party at?

 

Annnnnd the other shoe drops. But it looks like all three papers stay seven days a week, with a "statewide newsroom" concept.

News Sentinel launches historic new approach

Tennessean transformation continues with statewide coordination

Letter from the Editor: The CA is a key part of a new statewide reporting network

 

This is the approach Advance papers have taken in Michigan. Eight different markets, but it's essentially one paper zoned for each city. Cuts waaaay down on the number of reporters, editors and designers needed. I'm surprised Gannett hasn't done this already, but you do need a group of like publications, and Tennessee now provides that.

 

It will be interesting if Gannett moves toward this in Florida.

 

Still leaves open the question of a centralized production operation or throw it on the reporters. I know Indiana was central, but they also cut some producers a few months back.

 

Dave Ammenheuser will coordinate coverage of the Grizzlies from Nashville, Phil Kaplan will coordinate coverage of Vanderbilt and Memphis from Knoxville and Tom Kreager will coordinate high school coverage across the state from Nashville.

Is David Williams out in Memphis? If so, that would be sports editor and assistant sports editor (Phil Stukenborg) gone.

 

Seems like Gannett is doing that in Jersey, at least in regard to sports.