Gannett and Their "Information Centers"

Romenesko recently posted to Poynter's comment section a long piece by Craig Dubow about Gannett's new "Information Center" rollout across the land. Addressed to his co-workers, the message gives a lot of marketing-speak about how they're shuffling the positions around a little and giving people new titles. Ruth Holladay has a post about it.

Now, I understand and accept that I'm going to get spanked with regards to election coverage tonight, but it's ok. I'm out trying to round up funds to really do this right and take it to the next level.

It's romantic to think one person can cover one town, but it's unrealistic. As all get out.

So, time to become for a while a prince of industry. In the meantime, I watch with curiosity as the 'newsroom' is abolished by Gannett to be renamed the Information Center.

Note the bits about no new staff being hired, though. It's just a reshuffling, getting already overworked journalists to do more with less - blogging, video, audio, pictures, etc.

Not to mention their attempts to gather content from the communities to use for their own gain. You might say, "that's exactly what you're doing, kpaul!" but you'd be wrong. It's not.

I'm trying to start a genuine conversation. And I'm sure a lot of people on board the Death Star really want genuine conversations too, but not enough to change how the place is run.

Anyway, I'm still out here. Not a big player, but I'm not sure I want to be. Yet.

Had a great talk with my Uncle who ran a successful bathroom remodeling business in Chicago before selling it to take up missionary work in Honduras. Anyway, he told me it was possible to grow too fast. And I think I know what he means. Lots of other great advice too.

I'm still alive. Sixteen months after being jettisoned from the Death Star into deep, dark cold space, I'm still alive. I'm still preparing. And that's a good thing.

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