Posted on 04/07/2008 3:37:59 PM PDT by abb
Seattle Times to Cut Approximately 200 Employees
posted by Eli Sanders on April 7 at 13:10 PM
This email was just sent to Seattle Times staffers by publisher Frank Blethen:
Date: April 7, 2008
To: Seattle Times Employees
From: Frank Blethen and Carolyn Kelly
Due to the continued and increased loss of traditional newspaper revenue for both The Seattle Times and the Seattle P-I, we will be making necessary expense reductions. Our circumstances are in line with the newspaper industry nationally, which continues to see steep declines particularly in areas of Classified ad revenue and also a slowing of online revenue growth.
We had hoped the expense reductions made at the beginning of the year would prevent the need for further downsizing, but that is not the case. The only responsible action to take is to better align our expenses to the reduced revenue we now anticipate.
The SOC team has identified approximately $15 million in budget reductions that will be implemented over the next two months. These include significant changes to the way we do business and involve realignment and centralization throughout our organization. You will hear more about the specific changes in departmental meetings.
The most difficult part of these changes involves a reduction of our workforce of approximately 200 positions through a combination of freezing open positions and a significant number of layoffs. This is not an action we take lightly—we recognize and regret that these decisions have a considerable impact on people’s lives.
Most affected employees are being notified today. In certain job categories, Expressions Of Interest (voluntary separations) are being considered, so there will be some continued uncertainty over the next two weeks until the EOI process has been completed. Alayne Fardella will send out a follow up communication with additional details.
While this is difficult news, it is important to note that the Seattle Times Company and the brands we represent remain market leaders. Our audience reach in print and online is deep and broad in the greater Puget Sound. Strategic and thoughtful changes to the way we do business will allow us to be positioned for the future.
Our success is based on our public service mission and our people. We are grateful for each individual’s contribution toward sustaining The Seattle Times as an independent and meaningful voice in our community far into the future.
I’m stealing this one...
Maybe they can just start using CNN’s feed...
Keep looking for Jimmy Hoffa while you're down there.
Thanks to eeman for the ping.
Say WA? Evergreen State ping
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.
Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.
The Wall Street Journal is an excellent six-day daily with a totally professional staff. Any person desirous of being informed of what is going on throughout the world needs to read the WSJ.
The editorial page is top-notch and conservative in the best tradition.
The special subscription rate is currently $99.00 annually for the COMBINED on-line and print editions (six days a week) - considerably less than most dailies everywhere and even some weeklies.
To top it off, they now have next-day delivery all across the U. S.
CBS Said to Consider Use of CNN in Reporting
New York Times | April 8, 2008 | TIM ARANGO
Posted on 04/07/2008 6:25:43 PM PDT by ricks_place
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1998238/posts
People read newspapers nowadays??? Hmmmmm, I thought it was just something I put in the bathroom between paychecks when I don’t want to get some Charmin.
Why would any talented and ambitious person stay working at a newspaper, waiting for the ax to fall.
As bad as these businesses have been run, it’s amazing to consider the quality of dregs that have remained.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004333926_times08.html
Seattle Times announces layoffs
By Eric Pryne
Seattle Times business reporter
The Seattle Times Co., reeling from continued declines in advertising revenue, announced Monday it will slice its flagship newspaper’s staff by nearly 200 and make other cuts aimed at saving $15 million.
The staff reductions will include up to 131 layoffs, the company said in an e-mail to employees. Sixty unfilled positions will be frozen.
The Times has 1,845 full-time and part-time employees.
Spokeswoman Jill Mackie would not be specific about other cuts, except to say that “there will be some changes that will affect both readers and advertisers.”
snip
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/358048_timescuts08.html
Seattle Times to cut nearly 200 jobs by next month
Last updated April 7, 2008 8:59 p.m. PT
By DAN RICHMAN
P-I REPORTER
The Seattle Times Co. said Monday that it will eliminate about 190 positions by next month because of continuing revenue declines.
In a memo to employees, which was posted on the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild Web site, Times Publisher Frank Blethen and Times Co. President Carolyn Kelly said the changes will be part of about $15 million in budget reductions during the next two months.
“We had hoped the expense reductions made at the beginning of the year would prevent the need for further downsizing, but that is not the case,” the memo said.
“The only responsible action to take is to better align our expenses to the reduced revenue we now anticipate.”
snip
Say WA? Evergreen State ping
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.
Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.