Layoffs hit Las Vegas Sun newsroom; publisher points finger at agreement with Review-Journal
By Howard Stutz
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Posted: Sep. 15, 2011 | 3:46 p.m.
The Las Vegas Sun laid off nearly a dozen staff members Thursday, blaming its Joint Operating Agreement with the Las Vegas Review-Journal as the reason behind the cutbacks.
In a statement to employees that was posted on the Sun's website, Las Vegas Sun Publisher and Editor Brian Greenspun said the newspaper, an eight- to 12-page daily insert delivered with the Review-Journal, derives most of its revenue from the joint operating agreement with R-J owner Stephens Media.
He said Greenspun Media was "too exposed to the fortunes of the Review-Journal, a business we can't control. That is a central reason for the events of today. This is a tragic event for those who lost their jobs, for this company and for the community."
Mike Ferguson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stephens Media, called Greenspun's comments laughable.
"To attempt to lay the blame for these unfortunate job losses at the steps of the Review-Journal is a sad statement and tells us much about the state of the management of Greenspun Media and a failure to recognize the true history of the relationship between Stephens Media, the Review-Journal and the Sun," Ferguson said. "We entered into a Joint Operating Agreement in 1990 for the expressed purpose of saving the then-failing Sun. If it were not for this action there would be no Sun today."
Ferguson said the agreement was amended in 2005 to allow the Sun to be published in the morning and delivered to the full circulation of the Review-Journal, which was many times that of the stand-alone Sun.
"It's likely there would not even be additional Greenspun Media Group publications had the Review-Journal not entered into the JOA that has greatly benefitted the Greenspun family," Ferguson said. "There is no question that this economy has had an impact on the revenues of all media in Las Vegas, but to blame the very vehicle that has kept his family in the media business for the last 21 years is a sad action. I would have expected much better from Brian."
The Sun went through a series of layoffs in 2009 and 2010, eliminating an estimated 60 staffers. Most of the layoffs Thursday were veteran reporters and editors, including the editor of its Vegas Inc. weekly business publication, its long-time, award-winning editorial cartoonist and the newspaper's editorial page editor.
A month ago, the Review-Journal trimmed staff from each of its departments, including the newsroom, as part of an ongoing effort to cut costs and make operations more efficient.
"I am saddened any time Southern Nevadans lose their jobs," said Review-Journal Publisher Bob Brown. "Mr. Greenspun's attempt to blame the Review-Journal for problems of his own creation is unfortunate, and while it may help him sleep better, in addition to being inaccurate and misleading, it's just pure BS."
Earlier this week, Greenspun assumed the daily management of Greenspun Media Group, which publishes the Sun, Vegas Inc., Las Vegas Weekly, Las Vegas Magazine and Vegas2Go.
Bryan Allison, who had been chief operating officer of Greenspun Media, returned to his previous employer, Vegas.com, as its chief operating officer.
Lee ADDS: Just like all other Liberal nuts Greenspun will not wake up to reality! His constant support of the Left's failed policies under Obama is his real downfall!
In a statement to employees that was posted on the Sun's website, Las Vegas Sun Publisher and Editor Brian Greenspun said the newspaper, an eight- to 12-page daily insert delivered with the Review-Journal, derives most of its revenue from the joint operating agreement with R-J owner Stephens Media.
He said Greenspun Media was "too exposed to the fortunes of the Review-Journal, a business we can't control. That is a central reason for the events of today. This is a tragic event for those who lost their jobs, for this company and for the community."
Mike Ferguson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stephens Media, called Greenspun's comments laughable.
"To attempt to lay the blame for these unfortunate job losses at the steps of the Review-Journal is a sad statement and tells us much about the state of the management of Greenspun Media and a failure to recognize the true history of the relationship between Stephens Media, the Review-Journal and the Sun," Ferguson said. "We entered into a Joint Operating Agreement in 1990 for the expressed purpose of saving the then-failing Sun. If it were not for this action there would be no Sun today."
Ferguson said the agreement was amended in 2005 to allow the Sun to be published in the morning and delivered to the full circulation of the Review-Journal, which was many times that of the stand-alone Sun.
"It's likely there would not even be additional Greenspun Media Group publications had the Review-Journal not entered into the JOA that has greatly benefitted the Greenspun family," Ferguson said. "There is no question that this economy has had an impact on the revenues of all media in Las Vegas, but to blame the very vehicle that has kept his family in the media business for the last 21 years is a sad action. I would have expected much better from Brian."
The Sun went through a series of layoffs in 2009 and 2010, eliminating an estimated 60 staffers. Most of the layoffs Thursday were veteran reporters and editors, including the editor of its Vegas Inc. weekly business publication, its long-time, award-winning editorial cartoonist and the newspaper's editorial page editor.
A month ago, the Review-Journal trimmed staff from each of its departments, including the newsroom, as part of an ongoing effort to cut costs and make operations more efficient.
"I am saddened any time Southern Nevadans lose their jobs," said Review-Journal Publisher Bob Brown. "Mr. Greenspun's attempt to blame the Review-Journal for problems of his own creation is unfortunate, and while it may help him sleep better, in addition to being inaccurate and misleading, it's just pure BS."
Earlier this week, Greenspun assumed the daily management of Greenspun Media Group, which publishes the Sun, Vegas Inc., Las Vegas Weekly, Las Vegas Magazine and Vegas2Go.
Bryan Allison, who had been chief operating officer of Greenspun Media, returned to his previous employer, Vegas.com, as its chief operating officer.
Lee ADDS: Just like all other Liberal nuts Greenspun will not wake up to reality! His constant support of the Left's failed policies under Obama is his real downfall!
No comments:
Post a Comment