Monday, March 31, 2008

Exit Continues at LA Times

LA Observed lists the latest round of LA Times reporters/editors who took buy-out offers from boss Sam Zell.

Will the last employee at The Times turn off the lights? Sam needs to save on the electricity bill.

Kevin Crust, film writer in Calendar
Jennifer Delson, Orange County staff writer
Glenn Doggrell, design editor
Joan Fantazia, assistant copy chief
Laura Gutierrez, editorial hiring staff assistant
Liz Hale, magazine deputy art director
Don Hunt, City desk weekend editor
Tom Furlong, deputy National editor
Greg Griggs, Ventura staff writer
Connie Kang, Metro staff writer
Greg Krikorian, federal court reporter
Myron Levin, Metro staff writer
Ela Lindsay, research assistant
Joe Mathews, Washington bureau staff writer
Alan Miller, Washington bureau staff writer
Sonia Nazario, Metro staff writer
Robyn Norwood, Sports writer
Charles Perry, food writer
Jonathan Peterson, Washington bureau staff writer
Gina Piccalo, film writer in Calendar
Jeff Rabin, Metro staff writer
Cecilia Rasmussen, Then and Now columnist
James Ricci, Metro staff writer
Ruth Ryon, Hot Property writer
Joel Sappell, special projects editor
John Spano, Metro courts staff writer
Lewis Segal, dance critic
Molly Selvin, Business staff writer
John Stewart, National news editor
Mike Terry, Sports writer
Tomas Alex Tizon, Seattle bureau chief
Cicely Wedgeworth, features copy editor
Henry Weinstein, legal affairs writer in Metro
Robert Welkos, film writer in Calendar
Nona Yates, politics desk researcher

Friday, March 28, 2008

Sam Zell Is Looking For Success In All The Wrong Places

Sam Zell, that feisty billionaire who bought Tribune Co., and the Los Angeles Times which came along with it, is maintaining unusual visibility among his employees via email, at least among the employees who still work there.

From the day he bought Tribune, he rallied the troops by telling them that they are the future of the company, and the company's success will be their success. He then challenged and encouraged each and every employee to email him comments, complaints and ideas. His latest employee feel-good project is to set up an employee suggestion box. He recently touted the wonderful suggestions that have come from employees, many of which, he says, have been implemented.

If I worked there, the only suggestion I'd have is, "I suggest you don't fire me."

It appears the biggest project at the company, and certainly at the LA Times, is to get as many employees as possible, especially in the editorial department, out. Zell is offering a buy-out deal which is a nice corporate way of saying, "I'll pay you a bit more if you leave quietly, and leave now."

How can someone as successful as Sam Zell be so clueless?

I am an outsider and not privy to the long-range strategic planning of his empire. But doesn't he know that the problem is not with his product -- newspapers, TV and radio stations -- but rather that the market has and is changing? People are different today. People today don't want to read newspapers; they want their news electronically and they want it on video and they want it in 8 seconds or less.

This is tragic and doesn't speak well for our future, but reality is reality. Yes the LA Times and all major print media have websites and they are struggling to find a way to capture the young electronic news consumer. But hitting reporters and editors over the head isn't going to make more people read newspapers or watch the evening news. Reporters and editors report and edit. That's what they do. If they were corporate tycoons, reporters would be writing about them.

Zell, you should have the brilliant ideas. You were smart enough to buy Tribune with the employees' money. So now you want them to figure out how to make it profitable for you? That's your job. Let them do their's.

Stop with the emails and start figuring out your own business.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Construction Workers Beware


Two construction workers died and five were injured Tuesday when a seven-ton section of crane fell 30 stories onto a Miami home made famous by the film “There’s Something About Mary.”

Fire and rescue officials said the collapse occurred about 1:45 p.m. as a construction crew tried to lengthen the crane for work on a 46-story luxury high-rise overlooking Biscayne Bay. The 20-foot section dangled, witnesses said, before dropping through the roof of a Spanish-style home that the contractors used as an office.

A More Dangerous Job Than We Thought

Police officers in Los Angeles are more likely to take their own life than be killed by a criminal, according to a report presented today to the Police Commission.

The data was included in a study by police psychologists who are in the process of retooling the agency's suicide prevention program.

The report said 19 Los Angeles police officers killed themselves between 1998 and 2007, while only seven died in the line of duty during that time.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Sara Jane Olson rearrested

You think she should have let the answer machine take the call at home?
Released

Cheney says an independent Palestinian state is 'long overdue'

So is Arab recognition of Israel...
Cheney and Abbas

Subprime Pioneer Roland Arnall Dies as 68

Billionaire Roland Arnall, who created the subprime mortgage industry that caused thousands of homeowners to lose their homes, died last week at age 68. His wealth also made him a top contributor to President Bush and then Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Arnall gave me my first job while I was still in graduate school. He was both the most brilliant and brutal businessperson I have ever met. Working for him had to be 100 times worse than attending military boot camp. I lasted almost five years and learned more than any MBA program could teach me. But I also learned to treat people ethically and with kindness, something I saw lacking in Arnall.

Despite his cutthroat work ethic, Arnall was beyond generous. During his lifetime, he gave away literally tens of millions of dollars to worthy causes, usually with no fanfare. He also gave to individuals in need who found their way to his office and were never turned away empty handed.

Not surprisingly, every obituary of Arnall includes discussion of Ameriquest, his subprime mortgage company that was targeted several times by the U.S. government for unscrupulous lending practices, and fined to the tune of $325 million dollars. Most obits brushed over his philanthropy while focusing on his subprime industry involvement.

I knew Roland when he was a mere millionaire and not a billionaire. Back then, he lived very well being worth $300 million or so. But I guess it wasn't enough. He aspired to amass a true fortune of $1.5 billion and succeeded when he got involved in the sleazy subprime lending business.

As a result, his legacy is one of greed and not deed, despite all the good he did in his lifetime.

Was it worth it Roland?

Friday, March 7, 2008

Virus of Hatred Spreads Again

From Wire Services:

Hamas claimed responsibility Friday for a militant attack on a Jerusalem rabbinical seminary that killed eight Israelis.

A Hamas radio presenter said the group's military wing had "promised a jolting response" to this week's violence in the Gaza Strip in which more than 120 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military, many of them in the northern Gaza town Jebaliya.

The radio referred to the Jerusalem attack as "the fruits of what happened in Jebaliya" and called on believers to "celebrate this victory against the brutal enemy."

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

News Releases Are Subject to Deceptive Advertising Laws

The LA Times reports that a letter sent by a LA Assistant City Attorney to Blue Cross advises them that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that news releases are considered advertising and will be scrutinized for deception. If so, Blue Cross could face damages, similar to running a deceptive ad on TV, if their releases are found to be misleading.

Colbert's letter to Blue Cross says the statements "appear intended to burnish the corporate image of Blue Cross of California, and of its insurance affiliate, in the eyes of consumers."

It advises Blue Cross that the California Supreme Court has held that "such statements are a form of commercial speech subject to the prohibitions against deceptive advertising" under two state laws.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Is Three A Charm? I Doubt It

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council has approved a third round of sanctions against Iran with near unanimous support.

Among the Iranian officials hit with travel and financial sanctions by the United Nations Security Council on Monday is a prominent Revolutionary Guards commander close to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei and a long list of technical figures involved in Iran's nuclear program

What Job Is Villaraigosa Going For In A Clinton Administration? Cast Your Vote

Villaraigosa
ON THE ROAD AGAIN:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa supports Sen. Hillary Clinton during a rally in Fort Worth, Texas. He has spent 18 of the last 65 days out of town campaigning for her.

For more than 2 1/2 years, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been the public face of Los Angeles, appearing in one neighborhood after the next and often leading the nightly news.

But over the last two months, he has devoted noticeable time and energy to a cause outside the city. By today, the mayor will have spent 18 of the last 65 days on the road for presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) -- visiting Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and Texas as the primary election season has intensified.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Desperation Strikes Hillary's Campaign

Appearing on Saturday Night Live is always a sign of desperation. But then again, nobody watches it anymore.
art.snl.hillary.ap.jpg
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton met her match while appearing on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" to deliver the show's trademark opening line and provide an "editorial response" to a mock presidential debate.

During the opening sketch -- which featured SNL actors playing Clinton, rival candidate Barack Obama and the debate moderators -- Clinton complimented the performance of Amy Poehler, who regularly lampoons Clinton with her impersonation of the senator from New York.

Leave Israel Alone!

Strange Bedfellows

After meeting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, right, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, visited with other Iraqi officials.
After meeting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, right,
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left,
visited with other Iraqi officials.


BAGHDAD (AP) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday his landmark visit to Iraq opened a new chapter in "brotherly" relations between the two countries, which were once bitter enemies.

Ahmadinejad is the first Iranian president to visit Iraq. He went from Baghdad's airport straight to a meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who gave him a red-carpet welcome. The two kissed four times on the cheek in the traditional fashion and a band played the two countries' national anthems.

Is Oscar On Life Support?

From Daily Variety:

For years, the brahmins of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences have viewed the Oscarcast as a sacred tradition.

However, with viewership of the kudocast hitting an all-time low last week, it's clear that Oscar, now 80, is showing his age. Many members of the Academy -- even conservative types that aren't your typical squawkers -- are grumbling that it's time for a change.

With an average of 32 million viewers, the kudocast only barely topped the regular Tuesday airing of "American Idol," which reeled in 29 million. (Oscar's ratings are likely to inch up some next week when delayed viewing via DVRs is factored in by Nielsen.) In the demographic that matters most to advertisers, adults 18-49, "Idol" had the edge with an average of 14.7 million to Oscar's 14 million.

Life Is Not A Breeze For Local Journalists

Kevin Roderick of LAObserved.com writes:
I'm told by a staffer that the positions of publisher and managing editor were eliminated today at the Long Beach Press-Telegram, along with the copy desk and most of the production jobs. Those functions will now be handled at the Daily Breeze, located in Torrance.

Laid-off P-T production staffers were told they could apply for a fewer number jobs at the Breeze. Two reporters and a photographer had already resigned this week. Online reports in the District Weekly and LB Report, which together pretty much make a skeletal Singleton newspaper in Long Beach unnecessary.

You're Reading This, Aren't You

From the NY Times:

Leonard S. Riggio and wife

Leonard S. Riggio
, the founder and chairman of Barnes & Noble, thinks that Steven P. Jobs is wrong, at least when it comes to the reading habits of Americans.

In January, Mr. Jobs, the chairman of Apple, declared that a new electronic book reader introduced by Amazon.com was unlikely to be a commercial success because of a fundamental problem. “It doesn’t matter how good or bad the product is,” Mr. Jobs said. “People don’t read anymore.”

In a telephone interview last week, Mr. Riggio — who has based a long and profitable career on the proposition that people love to read — said that Mr. Jobs’s perception “is off by a lot.”

While Mr. Riggio said he could not comment on Amazon’s device, the Kindle, he said that at Barnes & Noble, “our business in general is fairly sound.” And while the book industry as a whole is “fairly flattish” now, Mr. Riggio said, “it has had periods of flattish growth in the past.”

“I’m still very optimistic,” he added.