Tennessean happyspeak

The one disconnect I have observed from the memo that kickstarted this thing is that, for a deal that was supposed to put more reporters into the market, they sure fired a lot of reporters – of various kinds – today. I would like to assume they'll very quietly add lower-cost writers after the circus leaves town, but I dunno.

 

Dear Gannett,

Fuck yourself.

XOXO,
Jeff

http://www.jeffpearlman.com/dear-gannett-fuck-yourself-love-jeff/

 

I guess all those people who were laid off didn't mainstream enough, their stories were about fake lives and fake news and their topics weren't passionate enough.

 

Yeah, signposting in a story- what a terrible idea!!

 

The Nashville Scene had the scoop Tuesday on the entire new staff list.

Here's what's left in sports:
Ammenheuser, David — Sports columnist (former sports editor)
Climer, David — Sports columnist (lifer; had Willy Wonka golden ticket)
Glennon, John D — Backup sports reporter (would love to have that on a business card)
Organ, James M — Other sports reporter (goes by Mike; see above)
Sparks, Adam — Vanderbilt beat writer (from the Daily News Journal in nearby Murfreesboro).
Stromgren, Eric William — Preds reporter (new person, described as "a videographer and digital producer")
Wyatt, Jim — Titans reporter (status quo)

There appear to be 3 unfilled positions in sports:
1, - University of Tennessee beat writer (new position)
2, 3 - High school writers (remember, they fired 2 of these; salary dump)

That's a staff of 10 - and kids, there's nobody on the chart with the title "sports editor." Damnedest thing I've seen. I guess everyone takes directions from Gannett analytics software or a maybe a Ouija board.

Incidental move:
Will Borthick was promoted at the DNJ from preps to the Middle Tennessee State beat that Sparks had patrolled.

Full scoop:
http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2014/09/09/the-newsroom-of-the-future-is-here

 

How many reporters/writers do papers the size of Tennessean normally have?

 

Not sure about this guy:

Jones, Michael H — Producer

He was in sports, so I guess he should also be included in the list above. But his title is so generic, I do not know.

 

Saw on Dave Ammenheuser's twitter feed that he landed as sports columnist. Good for him.

 

But the question remains: Who runs the sports department if there is no sports editor? Regardless of title, someone must be in charge. Or not ....?

 

I've heard of Gannett places that go with "self-directed" departments, with a pseudo-boss with another title that has planning and supervisory duties and technically reports to one of the top MEs in the room. So you have a columnist who is the de facto sports editor, for example. Gets rid of a managerial position and puts it on the shoulders of someone who also has content-creating responsibilities.

 

Same guy as before I'd guess.