Problems at Patch.com

[outofplace]

Obviously, you haven't read all of the back and forth about Patch around here.

Again, apologies for taking this personally, but no matter how many times it happens in this business, I'm never going to get used to talking to a friend the day they get let go from a job even though they were good at it.

In every instance, the mockery regarding Patch has had to do with the executives, the ridiculous claims, "Timmy's mommy" turning in copy, the lack of ads, the lack of an overall business plan, the constant changing of direction, etc.

While to content has taken some abuse, as has the cheer leading, optimism of some employees, no one has mocked the hard working journalists who hoped to make a career at Patch, or rooted for their failure.

That just isn't true. The mockery has pretty much hit on everybody in the company.

 

[BDC99]

I hope you're sitting down.

http://jimromenesko.com/2013/05/17/patch-restructures-and-lays-off-staffers/

No mention of free drinks.

I won't mention any specifics but at least one of our posters here is gone courtesy of this cut.

<b>Yeah, but don't let that stop some of the posters here from enjoying hearing about journalists getting laid off.</b>

A friend of mine was also among those let go. If there was a better, more dedicated journalist in that entire company, I'd be shocked. So as far as I'm concerned, anybody here who thinks this is funny or reason to brag (and I'm sure some of you will) can go take a long walk off a short pier.

As for what Patch is doing, that's a heck of a question. They're in the process of launching a redesigned site and expanding their ad sales staff at the same time they do this, so who the heck knows....

That's because being forced out of journalism was the best thing that happened to so many of us, and our hearts go out to all the people who are still toiling in journalism, and dealing with the mind-boggling nonsense that comes with it, while believing that what they do still matters.

Sure, being forced out hurts initially, but in the long run, these people will be so much happier for it. It has been a struggle for us ex-journalists to get current journalists to see and believe this.

Bullshirt. Sorry, but losing your job is not a good thing. Maybe some people make the best of it and do well, but that doesn't mean getting laid off was a positive experience.

100 percent this. Everyone who has found something is probably happier today, but I know folks who took a year or more to find something worthwhile, and a close friend and talented journalist has been looking since late last summer. It is NEVER a good thing. All the best to you sg.

 

[PEteacher]

I hope you're sitting down.

http://jimromenesko.com/2013/05/17/patch-restructures-and-lays-off-staffers/

No mention of free drinks.

I won't mention any specifics but at least one of our posters here is gone courtesy of this cut.

<b>Yeah, but don't let that stop some of the posters here from enjoying hearing about journalists getting laid off.</b>

A friend of mine was also among those let go. If there was a better, more dedicated journalist in that entire company, I'd be shocked. So as far as I'm concerned, anybody here who thinks this is funny or reason to brag (and I'm sure some of you will) can go take a long walk off a short pier.

As for what Patch is doing, that's a heck of a question. They're in the process of launching a redesigned site and expanding their ad sales staff at the same time they do this, so who the heck knows....

That's because being forced out of journalism was the best thing that happened to so many of us, and our hearts go out to all the people who are still toiling in journalism, and dealing with the mind-boggling nonsense that comes with it, while believing that what they do still matters.

Sure, being forced out hurts initially, but in the long run, these people will be so much happier for it. It has been a struggle for us ex-journalists to get current journalists to see and believe this.

Bullshirt. Sorry, but losing your job is not a good thing. Maybe some people make the best of it and do well, but that doesn't mean getting laid off was a positive experience.

100 percent this. Everyone who has found something is probably happier today, but I know folks who took a year or more to find something worthwhile, and a close friend and talented journalist has been looking since late last summer. It is NEVER a good thing. All the best to you sg.

Once again, it is not about "finding something". It's about reinventing yourself. It's about going back to school and pursuing a new career.

After being laid off, I, for example, coached high school football and baseball as a volunteer assistant while applying for teacher credentialing programs. Then I spent a year substitute teaching while being credentialed before becoming a high school physical education teacher.

Other former journalists I know went back to school to pursue other careers. Being laid off got the wheels to start turning for me to start anew, and I'm so thankful for it every day. Yes, it hurt to lose my job initially, especially since my wife was also unemployed at the time.

I see so many current journalists who are miserable, dealing with all the BS the profession currently features. I also don't know a single ex-journalist who isn't happier post-journalism. I'm certain that in 100% of these cases, it hurt to be forced out. Being through it, I know 100% of the people ended up better for it. I "enjoy" hearing about journalists losing their jobs because I am hoping that this force-out will turn the wheels for them, just like it did for me. And I know they will be happier in the long run because of it.

 

[BDC99]

I hope you're sitting down.

http://jimromenesko.com/2013/05/17/patch-restructures-and-lays-off-staffers/

No mention of free drinks.

I won't mention any specifics but at least one of our posters here is gone courtesy of this cut.

<b>Yeah, but don't let that stop some of the posters here from enjoying hearing about journalists getting laid off.</b>

A friend of mine was also among those let go. If there was a better, more dedicated journalist in that entire company, I'd be shocked. So as far as I'm concerned, anybody here who thinks this is funny or reason to brag (and I'm sure some of you will) can go take a long walk off a short pier.

As for what Patch is doing, that's a heck of a question. They're in the process of launching a redesigned site and expanding their ad sales staff at the same time they do this, so who the heck knows....

That's because being forced out of journalism was the best thing that happened to so many of us, and our hearts go out to all the people who are still toiling in journalism, and dealing with the mind-boggling nonsense that comes with it, while believing that what they do still matters.

Sure, being forced out hurts initially, but in the long run, these people will be so much happier for it. It has been a struggle for us ex-journalists to get current journalists to see and believe this.

Bullshirt. Sorry, but losing your job is not a good thing. Maybe some people make the best of it and do well, but that doesn't mean getting laid off was a positive experience.

100 percent this. Everyone who has found something is probably happier today, but I know folks who took a year or more to find something worthwhile, and a close friend and talented journalist has been looking since late last summer. It is NEVER a good thing. All the best to you sg.

Yes, it hurt to lose my job initially, especially since my wife was also unemployed at the time.

I understand your point, but this is what we should be focused on right now, since these people are just now losing their jobs. I'm sure it was a stunning time for you, and highly stressful. Sure, most of these people will be better off in the long run, but it doesn't make it easier for them right now. Like I said, several people I know took a looong time to find something else or are still looking, and maybe they WILL be better off. But right now, it sucks. I have seen firsthand the stress a layoff can put on a family, and it is awful.

 

[terrier]

Three years ago, I would have killed for one of those jobs.
Now...probably explains why, even though I've had a rough three years, my blood pressure's good.

 

[gravehunter]

Not sure if this is part of Patch's restructuring but they posted a healthy number of jobs on the journalismjobs.com site this morning (June 22).
Local editor gigs in Mansfield, MA; Healdsburg, CA; Norwalk, CT; Danville, CA; Mehlville, MS; and Kirkwood, MO.
Local online sales account execs in Bensalem, PA; Fairfax, VA; Danvers, MA; Boston, MA; Garden City, NY.
Community editor in Norwalk, CT.
Field editor in Norwalk, CT.
Regional publisher in Amonate, VA.

 

[Mystery Meat II]

Not sure if this is part of Patch's restructuring but they posted a healthy number of jobs on the journalismjobs.com site this morning (June 22).
Local editor gigs in Mansfield, MA; Healdsburg, CA; Norwalk, CT; Danville, CA; Mehlville, MS; and Kirkwood, MO.
Local online sales account execs in Bensalem, PA; Fairfax, VA; Danvers, MA; Boston, MA; Garden City, NY.
Community editor in Norwalk, CT.
Field editor in Norwalk, CT.
Regional publisher in Amonate, VA.

I've spent all of my 39 years in Virginia and have NEVER heard of Amonate until today. Turns out it's some teeny-tiny place on the West Virginia border, which is interesting because I thought Patch only had a northern Va. presence, and the middle of coal country wouldn't exactly be the first place I'd think an Internet news organization or whatever they are now would think to expand.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

Not sure if this is part of Patch's restructuring but they posted a healthy number of jobs on the journalismjobs.com site this morning (June 22).
Local editor gigs in Mansfield, MA; Healdsburg, CA; Norwalk, CT; Danville, CA; Mehlville, MS; and Kirkwood, MO.
Local online sales account execs in Bensalem, PA; Fairfax, VA; Danvers, MA; Boston, MA; Garden City, NY.
Community editor in Norwalk, CT.
Field editor in Norwalk, CT.
Regional publisher in Amonate, VA.

I've spent all of my 39 years in Virginia and have NEVER heard of Amonate until today. Turns out it's some teeny-tiny place on the West Virginia border, which is interesting because I thought Patch only had a northern Va. presence, and the middle of coal country wouldn't exactly be the first place I'd think an Internet news organization or whatever they are now would think to expand.

What, you don't think Tazewell County fits with other Patch locations? Billy Wagner and Heath Miller are offended by the assertion.

I wonder if the meant Annandale.

 

[outofplace]

Not sure if this is part of Patch's restructuring but they posted a healthy number of jobs on the journalismjobs.com site this morning (June 22).
Local editor gigs in Mansfield, MA; Healdsburg, CA; Norwalk, CT; Danville, CA; Mehlville, MS; and Kirkwood, MO.
Local online sales account execs in Bensalem, PA; Fairfax, VA; Danvers, MA; Boston, MA; Garden City, NY.
Community editor in Norwalk, CT.
Field editor in Norwalk, CT.
Regional publisher in Amonate, VA.

I've spent all of my 39 years in Virginia and have NEVER heard of Amonate until today. Turns out it's some teeny-tiny place on the West Virginia border, which is interesting because I thought Patch only had a northern Va. presence, and the middle of coal country wouldn't exactly be the first place I'd think an Internet news organization or whatever they are now would think to expand.

What, you don't think Tazewell County fits with other Patch locations? Billy Wagner and Heath Miller are offended by the assertion.

I wonder if the meant Annandale.

Looks like they have a site for Annandale, but not Amonate. But that's a regional position, so maybe Amonate is the area where they'd like the person in that regional position to be.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

That would be strange. Amonate is very remote unincorporated town with a population less than 100. It's hours from any other Patch location, so unless AOL is about to start a cluster of sites for the Bluefield micropolitan area it doesn't make much sense to put a regional publisher there.

Then again, Vulture has discovered the town's charms.

http://www.vulture.com/2012/12/setting-les-miz-in-amonate-va-zip-code-24601.html

 

[gravehunter]

That would be strange. Amonate is very remote unincorporated town with a population less than 100. It's hours from any other Patch location, so unless AOL is about to start a cluster of sites for the Bluefield micropolitan area it doesn't make much sense to put a regional publisher there.

Then again, Vulture has discovered the town's charms.

http://www.vulture.com/2012/12/setting-les-miz-in-amonate-va-zip-code-24601.htm

It doesn't say much for the town's charm when the page is "not found."

 

[Jake_Taylor]

Whoops, should work now.