Cox Media Group announced today something that’s been talked about but unconfirmed for months: It will consolidate copy editing and page design functions among its four major dailies.
Those papers:
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution, circulation 183,415
- Austin American Statesman, circulation 137,681
- Dayton Daily News, circulation 94,709
- Palm Beach Post, circulation 117,149
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports today:
Under the plan, copy desk and page design jobs for the printed newspapers will be consolidated in Dayton and in West Palm Beach. A consolidated wire editing desk will be in Atlanta.
This will leave the chain’s two largest papers — the Austin American-Statesman and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution — with no one on-site editing local copy. Much like the Raleigh, N.C., News & Observer was left with no copy editors a few weeks ago when McClatchy consolidated operations there with the Charlotte Observer.
The AJC story is attributed to “staff reports” and includes standard quotes from the paper’s publisher about “staying competitive.” As far as I can tell, the American-Statesman hasn’t yet posted a similar story, as of 7:45 p.m.
The Dayton location, perhaps, comes as a surprise to virtually no one. As one Cox staffer told me this past summer:
Dayton is already a consolidated desk. Springfield, Hamilton and Middletown (and a few weeklies) produced there.
Judging by the buzz in a thread at SportsJournalists.com, the Palm Beach hub is a surprise, at least for some observers.
User SF_Express writes:
OK, so I’m slightly confused.
Atlanta copy desk is gone. But Palm Beach people will still be part of the Palm Beach-based copy desk?
They’re then going to split what? Papers that each desk works on? Sections? Anybody know?
1HPGrad replies:
Yeah, I’m confused by that as well. That wasn’t an option, as far as my West Palm peeps knew. It was one of the four sites becomes the hub. If it’s true, great for West Palm.
My take on this: I dislike consolidation. But I have seen it done and I’ve seen it done well.
I’m against any consolidation that puts editing of local copy — about local cities, local people, local streets and landmarks, local history — into the hands of folks who aren’t local. Any such effort will result in a decline of quality and an increase in errors.
These kinds of consolidation projects make me wonder if corporate ownership even cares any more about accuracy and quality. If accuracy and quality can’t add measurably to the revenue stream over the next quarter or so, then fuggedaboutit.
We need properties like these to be owned by sensible people who care about their communities and who care about the quality of newsgathering operations in those communities.
OK. Off the soapbox. For now.
Find the SportsJournalists.com, thread here.
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UPDATE – 10:45 p.m.
The Austin American-Statesman finally posted its story. Find that here.
More details:
- Copy desk and page design will be moved to Dayton and Palm Beach.
- Infographics work will take place in Austin and Palm Beach but managed in Palm Beach.
- The wire report functions — I presume this would be the nation and world pages and so forth — will be located in Atlanta.
- For folks forced to relocate, Cox will pay relocation expenses.
- The time frame to make this happen is between April and October of next year.
- I’m mentioning only editorial concerns here. A lot of circulation, marketing, advertising and other departments are also consolidating among the four Cox Media Group sites.
- Although the memo below admits the staff “asked for transparency with this process” and that management hopes that request has been met, it evidently does not extend to the outside. Staffers are warned not to speak to “the media” about the “new operating model” process and to refer questions to Cox Media Group spokesman Andy McDill in Atlanta.
Here are the contents of a memo sent out today by Jane Williams, publisher of the Austin American-Statesman:
Re: New Operating Model (NOM) Decisions
Today, I am sharing with you the decisions made by the New Operating Model (NOM) Steering Committee (AJC’s Mike Joseph, The Statesman’s Jane Williams, CMG Ohio’s Brian Cooper, Palm Beach Post’s Tim Burke, CMG’s Mark Beck, Palm Beach Post’s Christopher Caneles and CMG Atlanta HR’s Susan Davidson) and an overview of changes you will see in the coming months.
Our industry is changing at a rapid pace. For us to stay competitive, it is important to continually evaluate all aspects of our business to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible while providing the highest quality products and services to our customers. The NOM teams spent countless hours reviewing our operations and researching alternatives. Their work was invaluable to our decision-making process. I deeply appreciate the efforts of the NOM team members and their contributions to this project.
The NOM decisions touch all parts of our organization. Due to the complexity of each decision, we will stagger implementation over the next 18 months to ensure success. Before the implementation of any decision, employees in affected areas will be provided with more detailed information about the change. As part of the changes, you will also see new positions posted over the next few months. CMG employees will be given first consideration. We encourage you to review every opportunity presented and submit your resume for consideration.
Beginning in November, we will provide monthly updates on each of the work areas. We will continue to keep our lines of communication open as we have throughout the project to ensure you are kept informed.
Below is a summary of the decision for each area and a targeted time when implementation will begin. Also attached is a set of FAQs that will answer some general questions about what to expect moving forward.
We appreciate your continued patience as we work through the implementation process. Cox has a history of treating employees fairly, and we will continue to honor this tradition as changes are implemented. You asked for transparency with this process, and we hope our communication efforts have met your needs. As a reminder, if you have a question that is not addressed above or by the attached FAQs, you can send your questions to the project’s dedicated mailbox, [REDACTED], or contact your local HR representative.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – NOM DECISIONS
What is happening?
Cox Media Group’s NOM decisions have been made. Today’s announcement provides a high-level overview of what is planned for each work team and projected dates when more information will become available.
Why is this happening?
Our industry is changing at a rapid pace. For us to stay competitive, it is important to continually evaluate all aspects of our business to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible.
Why do we not have all the details on each decision?
Many initiatives are complex and will take up to 18 months to complete, so all details cannot be known at this time. We have projected dates that reflect when we should have more details about the specific decisions and implementation. Several decisions and their implementation involve factors that are still to be determined. For example, a decision is made that a particular work area will be centralized at one location. Before action can be taken, however, specific details about a new location must be finalized (how the work location will be structured and managed, where employees will sit, how the transition will happen, when the location will be ready, etc). In addition, some decisions require additional work before the full scope can be known and communicated. Others are dependent upon new systems or technological changes. Still others are dependent upon the timing of other initiatives or on the selection of a vendor before implementation can proceed.
Will there be position eliminations associated with these decisions?
In some cases, positions will be eliminated. New positions, however will be created and CMG employees will be given first consideration.
If my function is being centralized at my location, will I need to reapply for a job?
If because of the centralization of the function there will be changes to the duties and responsibilities of your role, then you may need to reapply for your position. In some cases, however, the changes may be minor and that will not be required. You will receive more detailed information about your specific situation in future announcements.
If my function is being centralized at another location, can I apply for jobs at the centralized location?
Yes. You will have the opportunity to submit your name for positions at the centralized location and for any open positions within Cox Enterprises. If your position is impacted, you will be provided with information about how to apply for open positions.
If I am offered a job at a different location, will the company provide relocation assistance?
Yes. The company will provide you with a relocation payment to help cover moving expenses, such as shipping of household goods, temporary living quarters while you find a place to live at the new location, etc. More details about the relocation assistance will be provided to you if you have the opportunity to relocate.
If my position is eliminated and I do not find another role within Cox, will I receive separation pay?
If your position is eliminated, you will receive Separation Pay and benefits as long as you continue to perform satisfactorily, remain in good standing until you are released by the company, and sign an Involuntary Separation Agreement and Release. If you are terminated for violation of company policy or similar misconduct or voluntarily resign before you are released by the company, you will be ineligible for Separation Pay and benefits.
How much separation pay am I eligible to receive?
The Involuntary Separation Program provides for severance that is based on your years of Cox benefit service and pay as of your separation date. The specific amount you are eligible to receive if you sign an Involuntary Separation Agreement and Release will be provided to you if your position is impacted. For more information about severance, please contact your local HR representative.
What if I leave before I’m released by the company? Will my separation pay be prorated?
No. if you leave your position before you are released by the company, you will not be eligible for any portion of your separation compensation.
Will I receive assistance with finding another job?
Yes; you will receive assistance in finding a new job if you sign the Involuntary Separation Agreement and Release. Assistance will include resume development and education about basic job search skills. You will receive more information about this service when you are notified about your last day of employment.
If my position is eliminated and I apply to an open job but am not offered a new position, will I lose my separation pay?
No. Applying to open positions will not cause you to lose your separation pay. The company encourages you to explore every opportunity to remain with us in a new role. Receiving an offer could result in a change in your eligibility for separation pay, however:
- If you receive an offer, and you accept the offer, you will no longer be eligible for separation pay.
- If you receive an offer with pay and bonus levels that are equivalent to your current role which does not require relocation, and you decline the offer, you will no longer be eligible for separation pay.
- If you receive an offer with pay and bonus levels that are less than your current role (i.e., would require you to take a pay cut) and you decline the offer, you will still be eligible for separation pay.
- If you receive an offer with pay and bonus levels that are equivalent to your current role but would require you to relocate, and you decline the offer, you will still be eligible for separation pay.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the NOM project?
You can send your questions to our dedicated NOM mailbox – [REDACTED] – or your local HR representative.
What should I do if I am contacted by the media?
If you are contacted by member of the media about the NOM announcement, please let them know that you are not authorized to speak on behalf of the company and ask them to contact Andy McDill with Cox Media Group at 678-645-0439.
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UPDATE – 11:05 p.m.
Not surprising, given the state of our industry today. What I found most surprising was the circulation for the AJC. I thought it would be at least 250K.
I really don’t understand how producing local pages in one city (or two for that matter) will resort in savings. Someone still has to design the page and edit the article, including the headline. It’s not as though these pages can be shared. If it’s an effort to get more work out of people, the extra tasks can be done remotely. After all, the computer systems are linked. I can see savings with wire pages. And the consolidation might work for smaller papers — for example Gannett — where people can specialize in design.
>>These kinds of consolidation projects make me wonder if corporate ownership even cares any more about accuracy and quality. If accuracy and quality can’t add measurably to the revenue stream over the next quarter or so, then fuggedaboutit.<<
That's right. Until you can show the dollars and cents of "accuracy and quality," you can't play in the big leagues with the big dogs, because that's the way they keep score. I've said that for years in and outside of ACES. The people who translate "quality and accuracy" to dollars and cents are the libel insurers, and until – or even if – editors and copy editors can make a convincing case to those companies, they are nothing more than a production expense to be consolidated, as in any industry.
(Unless you're working for BMW or Tiffany, for instance, where quality is part of the brand, and that's simply not the case with most news orgs.)