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Tracking the Union-Tribune Deal: Five parcels sold for a total of $51.2 million
I don't think anyone is rejoicing about another 150-200 layoffs. There were many ways to sustain and grow the Union-Tribune, but the people at the top couldn't see how they were deep-sixing this paper. Or they didn't care. Take your pick.— May 7, 2009 2:58 p.m.
Union-Tribune Circulation Drops 9.53 points
I agree with SurfPuppy that the U-T is a train wreck of its own doing. Can the anticipated new owners/managers turn it around? If they are people with genuine integrity who value honesty and competency in others and who can detect and confront b.s. head on for the health of the organization, then yes, maybe. I am not holding out hope.— April 27, 2009 2:54 p.m.
Charlotte Russe Is One Bright Spot among Nation's Ailing Retailers
Don, I know they are reasonably priced, and that should tell you which direction my net worth went in the last 5 years. When I say "disposable income," I really mean "any income." Also, I am spreading the word to friends living outside of the San Diego region about your blog so they can remind themselves what principled journalism used to look like. Regards.— April 9, 2009 4:15 p.m.
Charlotte Russe Is One Bright Spot among Nation's Ailing Retailers
I love the Charlotte Russe concept and the clothes, even though I am too old now to be able to wear them without looking ridiculous. I recall during my very first business trip to San Diego in 1990 enjoying the Southern California valley girl fantasy quality of the CR store . . . even then I was on the bleeding edge (at 35 years old) of their target customer. It was one of the many reasons (along with the girl band Wilson Phillips) that I moved to San Diego two years later. Now I wouldn't be able to afford to buy anything, even if I could wear the styles. I am happy to hear there is still a demographic in this country with disposable income . . . good for those young girls . . . but I digress . . .— April 9, 2009 10:58 a.m.
U-T Heads Will Be Chopped More Severely; Economics Dictates It
In answer to PaperGirlSD, the following is an excerpt from the Union-Tribune sale story that ran on SignOnSanDiego and was written by reporter Thomas Kupper on March 18, '09. ---------------------------------------------- Black said in an interview that he would be on an operations committee for the paper but does not expect to have an office in San Diego or take a day-to-day role in management. He added that, given weakness in the industry, there would be some degree of “reorganization and severances.” ---------------------------------------------- That sounds like further job losses to me. Anyone care to spin this one?— March 27, 2009 10:10 a.m.
Union-Tribune Sold to Private Equity Group Teaming with Black Press, Long-Time Rumored Buyer
Don - if you haven't seen it yet, here's an AP Business story from the Boston Globe's online site. It's a slightly different take on the announcement with a couple of interesting quotes from Gene Bell and Karin Winner. http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/03/1…— March 18, 2009 9:44 p.m.
Next Will Come No-Newspaper Markets, Says New York Times Story
Don - I think many newspaper managements did foresee these changes; they had plenty of warning from technology vendors about the future that was coming including the potential of the Internet, and warning from within their own ranks. Seattle Times / P-I JOA is a great example in the heart of Microsoft-land. They have one of the most sophisticated IT departments in the U.S. The real problem is that managements' froze in their tracks with fear and further failed to adapt their business / revenue models early enough to compensate for the revenue losses that were inevitable. My experience is that newspapers move at a glacial pace when it comes to making even the most mundane decisions. The question should be -- how many newspaper execs does it take to change a lightbulb? Their answer: We'll have to get back to you on that.— March 13, 2009 2 a.m.
If Boston Globe Worth $20 Million, Is U-T Worth $15 Million?
Don - I have the highest respect for your work, as well as for many of the Union-Tribune's employees, remaining and former, who work(ed) not just in the newsroom but in all areas of the operation. I feel the pain of the contraction of the newspaper industry too. The ". . . old women over their tea. . . " quote wasn't meant to insult you. Just trying to put it all in some perspective. If the lessons suggested by your reporting were better appreciated, I think the newspaper industry would be healthier today.— February 19, 2009 12:50 p.m.
If Boston Globe Worth $20 Million, Is U-T Worth $15 Million?
"To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea. Yet not a few are greedy after this gossip." Henry David Thoreau -------------------------- Food for thought. Please keep those rumors flying to your blog, Don. They give an old woman comfort in her twilight years.— February 17, 2009 9:56 a.m.
It Looks Like Copley Press Was Spending Money on Acquisitions When It Should Have Been Spending on Technology
When large numbers of jobs are eliminated from a byzantine and red-tape-bloated organization like the Union-Tribune, the CEO needs to anticipate, adapt, and even get his hands dirty -- for example, find out where the storage closet is and count that inventory! (or otherwise seek out verifiable proof that all mission-critical factors are under control.) Assuming all was well would be less than responsible. After all, the U-T has always asserted its conservative, risk-averse approach to its finances. If a pagination system was too costly or did not show an ROI in the last round of vendor evaluations earlier this decade, then effectively the game was over for the U-T as a long-term business venture, and David Copley should have put it on the market immediately. My opinions of course, and I welcome your feedback Don.— February 9, 2009 3:37 p.m.