On November 19, 2019 Gatehouse merged (took over) Gannett and kept the Gannett name. They claimed that they wouldn't slash local reporting but 2 1/2 years later they are doing just that, plus, old stories are being taken off of the web, which is absurd.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gatehouse-gannett-merger-is-official-creating-largest-us-newspaper-chain-2019-11-19
someone made some money, but the citizens and readers lose out, the journalists lose out, the ONLY place of comfort is that gangster politicians won't control my former editor!
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In an interview with The Associated Press, executives of the combined company, which will keep the Gannett name, acknowledged there will be layoffs — the company has committed to cutting $300 million in annual costs.
Current Gannett CEO Paul Bascobert said front-line reporters are “the last place we want to touch” when it comes to job cuts. He cited “duplication of management” and potential excess costs in financial, printing and advertising divisions as opportunities to reduce costs, and said the company will further centralize editing and newspaper and web design functions.
Mike Reed, the media veteran who leads GateHouse’s parent company, will be CEO of the newly combined company. Bascobert, who has a background in e-commerce as well as media, will now serve as chief executive of the new company’s operating subsidiary.
“We believe we have a strategy that will result in ...not just preserving local journalism, but letting local journalism thrive,” Reed said. “National journalism as well. And fortunately, we’re going to be able to impact at least 260 communities.”
The company expects growth in digital operations even as print advertising declines and traditional online ads continue to be dominated by Facebook FB, -1.98% and Alphabet’s GOOGL, -0.45% Google. The executives envision a revitalization of the classified advertising model on newspaper websites that could offer an alternative to Yelp in helping readers find local businesses
The new Gannett has set itself a challenging task in supporting local journalism by expanding a digital business involving marketing services and online subscriptions, as well as live events. Digital today makes up about a quarter of the two companies’ combined revenues.
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