Can we get this media board up and running

[Bob Q]

I was extremely unhappy that the media blog site got wasted. While I know almost nothing about running one of these I wanted to try and start one to get out the news that I think is stifled without such forums, such as the news about Richard Connor. I hear from reliable sources he is cooking the books at the TL in an effort to make the bottom line look better before selling and getting out while the getting is good. I could use all the help I can in this. I can be reached at [e-mail] every day. Please, please, help! Thanks.

[bob q]

I know, I know, I know so little about this that I'm listed as a guest on my own site! Anyhow, here's the latest about Connor's reign of terror in Maine....


Maine Today Lays off Dozens of Press Herald Employees
10/13/2011 05:15 PM ET
CEO Richard Connor cites the poor economy and shrinking ad revenues as reasons for the layoffs, which he says will mostly affect the news/editorial department.


Maine Today CEO Richard Connor says the media company is laying off 38 full- and part-time employees at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram.

In a statement released today, Connor says the affected employees were told today that they will be losing their jobs in two weeks. Connor cites the poor economy and a decline in newspaper ad revenues as reasons for the layoffs. He says another 23 full- and part-time employees have agreed to voluntary buyouts.

Connor says most departments at the newspaper will be affected, but most of the cuts are being made in the news/editorial department. He says full-time employees who are laid off get two weeks of severance pay for every year of employment.

In addition to the Press Herald layoffs, three employees at the Waterville Morning Sentinel and the Kennebec Journal have opted for voluntary layoffs, but there were no involuntary layoffs at the central Maine papers.

[Guesto]

I hope it works, Bob, and that while it may be worthy it doesn't become A) nothing but an anti-TL board and b) smacking of anything remotely connected to asswipes and wizzes et. al. oh, and by the way, Connor's firing figure looks like it's just about doubled from your posting. he da man.

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MaineToday Media is shedding 61 jobs, most at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, following a round of voluntary buyouts and layoffs.

Richard Connor, CEO of parent company MaineToday Media, announced today that 38 full- and part-time Press Herald employees will be laid off in two weeks, and another 23 employees companywide agreed to take buyouts, the paper reported. The majority of the reductions will come from the news/editorial department. Full-time employees being laid off will receive two weeks of severance pay for every year of employment. Three people who accepted the buyouts were employed by sister publications the Kennebec Journal and the Morning Sentinel, but no employees at those papers were involuntarily laid off. Connor attributed the cuts to the poor economy and declining advertising revenue.

The Portland Newspaper Guild last month said it had been notified that the publication planned to shrink its work force by 15%. The Bangor Daily News last month also announced it was offering voluntary buyouts to all of its 230 employees with the expectation of cutting up to 30 jobs.

[Chris Dogherty]

Scranton's little itsy-bitsy take on it:'


Mr. Connor, who also is publisher of The Times Leader, did not return calls for comment about whether there would be similar reductions at The Times Leader or if the Wilkes-Barre newspaper is facing the same economic issues.

[King of NEPA Media]

Bob, thanks for starting up this board. I was an old NMN&G veteran who drifted away when it got too crazy and off-topic.
I think you need to reach out a bit to get the word on this board out.
I heard you had started this up a week or two ago but had trouble finding it.
Emails to some of the media news and shakers, posts on some of the other boards, etc. etc.
Good luck!

[bob q]

Thanks so much for responding. I've been trying to get the word out but I'm not all that familiar with the best sites. Could you please steer me to a couple...or tell me where I can look to find the info? Again, thanks so much for getting in touch. Bob Quarteroni