Enquirer Editor Tom Callinan is a veteran print journalist trying to reconfigure his “paper” and staff under awful conditions in the Internet Age. Success will include keeping older, affluent readers and attracting younger, increasingly affluent readers.
He doesn’t need my advice, and I’m glad I’m not in his position: Casualties (staff losses) are mounting; ammunition (ad revenue) is running out; foes (competition, consultants, analysts and pundits) surround him; and the generals at headquarters say there will be no reinforcements (they’re retreating).
[Read Kevin Osborne's report on layoffs at The Cincinnati Enquirer here; the story includes an interview with Callinan.]
It’s time to dig out wood type for a page 1 response to doomsayers who insist that daily papers surrender to what critics say is inevitable: “Nuts!”
A few months ago, The Enquirer cut 15 newsroom staff on orders from owner Gannett, part of 1,000 voluntary departures in Gannett’s more than 80 dailies.
Last week, Gannett slashed payroll by 10 percent from the many departments in its dailies. That could be 3,000 people. Tara Connell, the corporate spokeswoman, blames the weakening economy and falling ad revenues.
