memos

New York Times Union: Fire 'Superfluous Managers' Before Docking Our Pay

Gabriel Snyder · 04/02/09 02:17PM

The New York Times would like to cut its employees pay by 5%, but before that goes into effect for reporters and other members of the Newspaper Guild, they need the union's okay. A memo that just went out after a council meeting says the Guild is loath to take the pay cut because a) they're pretty sure the 60-80 layoffs the NYT is threatening will happen with or without the pay cut and b) it would make more sense to save money by firing some of the do-nothing managers.

Something Smells at ESPN the Magazine

Gabriel Snyder · 04/01/09 04:40PM

The unending cavalacade of bad news is not the only reason people are feeling nauseous in magazineland these days. Earlier today a stench was making people feel sick at ESPN and they had to evacuate. Happily everyone's back to work.

Mayor Says Bloggers Put Her City 'Under Siege'

Ryan Tate · 03/16/09 09:58PM

The Salisbury, Maryland mayor's State of the City address starts typically enough, with talk of drainage, crime, road paving and federal stimulus funds. Then comes the part about the fascist blogger coup.

Time Inc. Managing Editor Resigns

Ryan Tate · 03/12/09 11:27PM

After thirty years at Time Inc., Jim Kelly is stepping down as the magazine group's managing editor, according to an email he just sent out, reproduced after the jump.

Condé Nast CEO: Be More Afraid

Ryan Tate · 03/05/09 11:52PM

Condé Nast advertising is down a terrifying 30 percent this year, leading to speculation a bunch more people will be fired. Condé's CEO reassured everyone that, yes, they could be fired.

Google's Piddling $60 Promise To Writers

Ryan Tate · 02/26/09 10:15PM

Google paid $125 million to settle copyright charges over its scanning of 7 million books. Today authors were told their cut: $60 to $300 per title. Woo?

Weak Are Slaughtered and Devoured At Politico

Ryan Tate · 02/19/09 01:31AM

Jesus, working at Politico.com sounds basically like joining the brutal, conniving gang of "Others" on ABC island thriller Lost, judging from an internal memo that just surfaced. Click for highlights.

Daily News Eliminates 401(k) Contributions

Ryan Tate · 02/11/09 04:32AM

It was upsetting enough for employees to hear the New York Daily News was ending its 401(k) contributions (memo below). The jokes about bigwigs' extensive stock holdings only made matters worse.

Curing The Celebrity Disease With Bongs Memos

Hamilton Nolan · 01/26/09 03:51PM

Tribune Co. Chief InnLOLvation Officer Lee Abrams has a new memo! "CELEBRITY CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY...We can't underestimate our importance these days. We can change this cultural disease." Both of those assertions are false.

Your 2009 Times Salary Freeze Memo

Pareene · 12/12/08 03:27PM

Look, a "note from Arthur." He probably wants to wish us merry Christmas, right? No, he is announcing that he will give none of you a raise in 2009.