Monday, March 31, 2008

Monday Morning News


Our Favorite and last tour guide at the Los Angeles Times, Darrell Kunitomi

Job Market 2009


When there is no control of our borders

Submitted by Nubia

Unofficial Departure List of Production Employees


This is the unofficial list of employees leaving the Los Angeles Times two production facilities, which will be updated as additional information arrives.

Los Angeles Times Olympic Production Facility

Marvin Crayon
Alfredo Eslava
Roy Gonzales
David Martinez


Los Angeles Times Orange County Production Facility

Philip Chandler
Timothy Dodd
Doug Howard
Mark Jacobs
Lawrence Lyon
Scott MacDonald
Arthur Mojica
Mark Snyder
Ralph Van Dyke

Newspapers For Sale



With all the negative news regarding falling profits at newspapers the past few years, I’m left wondering why three interested suitors are vying to purchase the Tribune Company property Newsday? If and when the Los Angeles Times goes onto the chopping block, three different billionaires have made it clear they would like to purchase the newspaper.

Makes one wonder what the movers and shakers see, that we do not see, for the future of newspapers?

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Hawthorne Videoactive Report


Los Angeles Times Uses Billboards To Lure Subscribers; NBC Learns That Online Ads Are Stickier Than Television Counterparts; DoubleClick Opens Up Network To Hi-Def Ads; Online Ad Types Can Be More Annoying Than Instructive.

Weekend Media Links


The line refers to Dennis FitzSimons' payout when he stepped down as Tribune CEO

Los Angeles Times Writers Say Goodbye


Robert Welkos farewell:

In recent years, the Los Angeles Times itself became the story as its owners,
publishers, editors and reporters came and went, sometimes with dizzying speed.
It was out of this seeming chaos that the Welkos Wire thrived. It was an
opportunity for all of us to catch up on internal news and gossip and take note
of the comings and goings of our colleagues. In the end, it wasn't me that gave
it life, it was all of you, just like all of the journalists who ever worked
here over the decades whose reporting and writing gave readers a front-row seat
to history.
Complete letter here:

Henry Weinstein's farewell:

The Principal Owner has the temerity to tell great journalists in our Washington
bureau that they are nothing but "overhead,'' not producing any revenue. As I
said, if journalists were not producing stories, be they from a ravaged Los
Angeles hospital, the Supreme Court in Washington, the flooded streets of New
Orleans, the war zones of Bosnia, El Salvador and Iraq, the famine-ravished
countries of Africa, the bright lights of Dodger Stadium or a dimly lit movie
screening room, there would be no Los Angeles Times to sell. I hope Mr. Zell
eventually understands that.
Complete letter here:

Joel Sappell's farewell:

Wow, 26 years sure moved fast. I can't begin to express how much I've
enjoyed sharing a career with all of you as we mastered some of the biggest
stories L.A. could throw at us—riots, earthquakes, O.J., fires and on and on.
The one constant amid the churn of stories has been the passion of the staff,
which has allowed this place to flourish even in the most difficult times, such
as now. It's been a privilege and inspiration to work alongside you.

Our new "Innovation Officer" recently used the origins of rock 'n roll
to explain his vision for The Times. No offense, Lee, but I'd like to think of
us more as a symphony, with each part, each note, as important as the next. And,
Mr. Zell, please don't confuse arrogance with a commitment to something grander
than the real estate in which we're housed or to the dollars in our ESOP. You
want people to "Talk to Sam" but not to "Talkback to Sam." Perhaps that's a
closer definition of arrogance.

So, with that off my chest (sort of), I'll say good-bye and good
luck to you all.

Friday, March 28, 2008

For the weekend: gardens, bugs & antimacassars


I will tell you why I smelled of salad dressing yesterday.

In January, I grew annoyed with the sound of blowers and having my topsoil all blown away. Though I tried to work with them, explained to them, the economics of their jobs demanded they mow and blow. It's part of a larger problem, being that for the most part, gardeners aren't trained. All bushes are clipped the same, and it's not unusual to see botched tree trimmings. So I let them go. Admittedly, after having such a magificent garden at my old house, when I moved here I couldn't get up the enthusiasm for more work outside. But now that I'm sans gardener, it's time to get with it and make it more than Home Depot dull. Now, Louie and I have been out there each day......

Read the rest at:
Get Lost With Easy-Writer

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Thursday Morning Media News


Edward with David Markland

The Los Angeles Film Race


From the computer of David Markland

Hey, friends...

I'm event producing a filmmaking competition called the LA Film Race. Below are details. I'd appreciate if you could forward to anyone who may be interested. Thanks! -DM

The Los Angeles Film Race is a 24 hour filmmaking competition being held the first weekend of May, followed a few nights later by all the films being screened at a local theatre. I'm event producing, which is a great excuse for not participating, but it also makes me ineligible for a ton of prizes.

Here's how it works: At 10pm, Friday, May 2nd, filmmaking teams will be sent a theme (ie, "a trade") along with another random requirement (ie, "high five"). The team then has 24 hours to plot, shoot, edit, and turn in a 4 minute short film that incorporates those elements. Films need to be dropped of at a Hollywood area location (TBD, likely someplace with alcohol and cookies) by 10pm Saturday, May 3rd to qualify.

The top films from Los Angeles will then go on to be judged against films in other cities competitions for prizes ranging from $2,500 cash, Avid software, and more.

Registration fee until April 10th is $95 - but use discount code FILMRACER for $10 off.

For more info and to register:
http://filmracing.com/Cities/losangeles.htm

--
David Markland
:: City Captain/Author, LA Metblogs (formerly Metroblogging LA)
:: Blogger, KNBC's California Faultline
:: Producer, The LA Film Race, May 2nd & 3rd, 2008
:: resume, etc.: www.davidmarkland.com

In Memory of Firefighter Brent A. Lovrien


By clicking here, you can directly support the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen's Fund of the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association. To learn more, visit: LAFRA.ORG or call 1-800-244-3439



Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen's Fund - Brian Humphrey

Burst manhole covers kill L.A. firefighter - Los Angeles Times

One L.A. firefighter dead in manhole explosion - Daily News

Brent A. Lovrien, LAFD firefighter was 35 - Kevin Roderick

LAFD Firefighter killed in the Line of Duty - Red Spot

Explosion kills L.A. firefighter in Westchester - Veronique de Turenne

Firefighter Killed in Explosion Near LAX - LAist

Firefighter Dies In The Line of Duty - Julie Frey

Another Hero is Dead - Gigi Graciette


Photo Credit: Rich66 on Flickr

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Los Angeles Firefighter Killed in the Line of Duty



It is with great sadness that the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department share word of one City of Los Angeles Firefighter dying today in the line of duty.

On Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 1:57 PM Los Angeles Firefighters were summoned to investigate smoke in the 8800 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard in the Westchester area of Los Angeles - not far from Los Angeles International Aiport.

While Firefighters were performing their sworn duties, an explosion occurred, causing injury to two male Firefighters and one civilian.

One of the injured Firefighters later died at the Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center, Marina Campus.

The other Firefighter and civilian are being treated at area hospitals.

As dictated by Fire Department policy, a formal and detailed multi-agency investigation is underway to determine the exact nature of the explosion, as well as the precise cause and manner of the Firefighters death.

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department thank you for your kind words and sentiment at this time of overwhelming sorrow and immense loss.

The latest information about this incident, as well as details regarding memorial services will be offered via this blog, and can be accessed anytime via LAFD.ORG

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

The latest from Uncle Sam Zell


From: Talk to Sam
Sent: Wed Mar 26 09:16:41 2008
Subject: IdeaBank

Partners,

I’m thrilled with the hundreds of ideas employees have sent me. It’s been great to see your creativity, and in many cases, the thoughtful approach you’ve taken to analyzing your suggestions.

As I’ve said repeatedly, the best ideas for this company will come from you, and we’ve seen a number of these innovations come to life in the past 60 days, including: a new morning show in Hartford, a free newspaper targeting young adults in Baltimore, a new national news section in Newport News, and spadia ads in Orlando and South Florida. We need to test a lot of ideas; we recognize that some won’t work. But, we’ll never find the ones that do work, unless we try them.

To open up this idea exchange across the company, we are launching an online IdeaBank, accessible via TribLink.

Going forward, I’d like you to direct your ideas to our IdeaBank, rather than sending them to talktoSam@tribune.com. This will enable others across the county to see them. I will still read and respond to all of the ideas that are submitted, and I still encourage you to e-mail me directly with comments and questions.

The IdeaBank has a crowd-sourcing element, so you can tag ideas you think are particularly good. You can also sort ideas by categories, and we’ll feature the top Revenue-Generating ideas, as determined by their popularity, on the front page of the site. We’re placing special emphasis on revenue-generating ideas because, as you know, that is our current focus. (One reminder: Ideas should cost significantly less than the revenue they produce.)

Most importantly, I want to convey that this is not some lighthearted initiative. I expect you to participate. Make deposits. Make withdrawals. Review the ideas to determine how you might adapt them to your business unit. And, managers, by reviewing and analyzing these ideas, you dramatically increase the probability of their viability.

So, be prolific. The future of our company is literally in your hands.

Sam

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

Mid-Week News


Eva Jones and David Martinez

Tribune Employees May Need to Refile Taxes




Dear Tribune Employee:

As you know, you were cashed out of your Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) shares upon close of Tribune’s going-private transaction in Dec. 2007. IRS rules consider the sale of ESPP shares held less than two years to be a “disqualifying disposition”. This means the 15 percent discount you received when you purchased these shares is treated as ordinary income for tax purposes.

Unfortunately, Computershare made an error in its data that was included on your W-2 you received for filing your taxes. Your W-2 either does not include the disqualifying disposition amount, or it includes only a portion of the amount that should have been included in Box 1 (wages, tips and other compensation) on your W-2.

If you’ve already filed your taxes, Computershare will reimburse you for the additional amount you must pay to your tax preparer to amend your taxes. To receive a reimbursement, please mail a copy of your invoice from your tax preparer to:

Computershare
118 Fernwood Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837
Attn: Christine Triolo

If you have any questions, please call Computershare at 866-571-2091 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on any NYSE business day.

Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience our inaccuracies have caused for you.

Sincerely,

Computershare Plan Managers

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Tribune Press Release


Tribune's KSWB-TV, San Diego, to Join Fox Network

Company Appoints Ray Schonbak Vice President and General Manager

Station’s Local News to Expand

CHICAGO Mar. 25, 2008 -- Tribune Broadcasting today announced that KSWB-TV in San Diego will join the Fox television network effective Aug. 1. The company also announced that veteran broadcasting executive Ray Schonbak has been named the station’s vice president and general manager.

"This is a huge development for our television group and makes it clear that the new Tribune is aggressive and willing to move quickly to upgrade our position in a market, especially when we can improve our financial results almost immediately," said Ed Wilson, Tribune Broadcasting’s president. "We’re not sitting around waiting for the advertising environment to improve, hoping things will get better on their own -- we’re taking action."

KSWB will immediately begin ramping up to air four hours of locally produced news daily, including a three-hour morning show.

Schonbak has more than 30 years of television experience and was most recently president of Emmis Television, overseeing the operation of 16 stations across the country in such markets as New Orleans, Orlando and Portland. Previously, he was instrumental in building the Fox-owned station group.

"This is like being handed the keys to a cool new car and told to go break the speed limit," said Schonbak. "The #1 television network, the chance to build a news department from the ground up, and on top of all that I get to live in a city that’s totally awesome -- 80 degrees, sunny all the time and right by the ocean. I’ll just wear a Speedo under my clothes and be ready to hit the beach at a moment’s notice."

"Fox is a proven winner, and Ray is the right guy to be the new GM," said Wilson. "He’s talented, innovative and has tremendous experience building Fox television stations. But he’s going to be working constantly, so he can forget the Speedo."

Tribune memo on switch to Fox in San Diego


From: Tribune Communications
Subject: Message from Ed Wilson/KSWB-TV To Join Fox

Tribune Broadcasting today is making the exciting announcement that effective August 1st, KSWB-TV, San Diego, will become an affiliate of the Fox television network — the nation’s #1 sourcee for broadcast entertainment. We’ll also announce the appointment of Ray Schonbak, the former president of Emmis Television, as vice president and general manager at the station. Ray’s one of the most successful television executives anywhere in the country. His Emmis stations were industry leaders in revenue growth, and before that, he helped build the Fox-owned stations division into a powerhouse.

For KSWB, this is a no-brainer. Fox is a proven winner. The switch will mean great prime-time programming with shows like “American Idol”, “The Simpsons” and “24”, designed to build an excellent lead-in to our late local news. KSWB will get back into the news game in a big way later this year, and will immediately begin ramping up to produce four hours of news every dayincluding a three hour morning show.

The affiliattion also brings KSWB America’s top sporting drawNFL footballevery weekend in the fall and winter, as well as the college football’s Bowl Championship Series, major league baseball and NASCAR. And all of this should mean increased sales and an immediate improvement in the bottom line in San Diego.

Most importantly, this is a huge development for our television group and for the company itself. It demonstrates our willingness to be aggressive, to make investments for the long term, and to flex our considerable muscle when necessary to get a deal done. The CW has been a great partner for KSWB and we’re working with the network to find it a new home in the market....

This is the new Tribune. Stay tuned — there’s a lot more ahead.

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

Tuesday Morning Media News


Pressroom Roller Crew Members Manny, Jeff, and Rod

Monday, March 24, 2008

Services for Julio Barajas


Viewing:
Thursday March 27, 2008
from 5:00p.m. to 9:00p.m.
Funeraria Del Angel
Mirabel Mortuary
4677 E. Gage Ave.
Bell, CA. 90201

Click here for MAP

Funeral Mass:
Friday March 28, 2008
9:00a.m.
St Xavier
4245 Acacia ave
Pico Rivera, CA. 90660

Click here for MAP

Sam Zell approves of Sun-Times ribbing


From: Talk to Sam
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 1:35 PM
Subject: Shocking Video

Partners,

I returned from out of the country this weekend to learn that one of our employees had entered a video in the Sun-Times contest designed to protest a name change of Wrigley Field.

Needless to say, I was shocked! Appalled! The video was a blatant disregard for Tribune Company policy. It demonstrated a glaring disrespect for your chairman and CEO. (I’m much better looking, clearly more agile, and I think whoever played me was singing off key.)

So, I immediately referred to the 11th commandment: Thou shalt not take oneself too seriously. And, then I shared the video with my family and friends.

Here’s the link if you didn’t catch it: http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-suntimes-song-contest,0,1932877.htmlstory

It’s most definitely worth the watch, and it was a deft grab of the ball away from that other paper. What was their name again?

Sam

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

A Casual Dinner with Obama


You could join Barack Obama for a casual dinner for five.


In the next few days, four supporters will be selected for a new kind of fundraising dinner. If you make a donation in any amount before 11:59 pm EDT next Monday, March 31st, you could join Barack and three other supporters for an intimate dinner for five.

Get the kind of treatment other politicians reserve for special interests:

https://donate.barackobama.com/dinner

Thanks!

Tribune Appoints Chandler Bigelow CFO


CHICAGO Mar. 24, 2008 -- Tribune Company today announced the appointment of Chandler Bigelow as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing all corporate finance functions, including financial reporting, tax, audit and treasury. Effective immediately, Bigelow succeeds Don Grenesko, who is retiring.

Bigelow has been Tribune’s vice president/treasurer with responsibility for the company’s financing activities, cash management, short-term and retirement fund investments and risk-management programs since 2003. He began his Tribune career in 1998, and prior to his most recent position served as assistant treasurer, director/corporate finance and corporate finance manager.

Grenesko served as the company’s CFO for the past 17 years. He joined Tribune as treasury manager in 1980 and helped engineer the company’s initial stock offering in 1983. In 1985, Grenesko was named executive vice president/business operations for the Chicago Cubs, and from 1988 to 1991 he was the team’s president and CEO.

Grenesko and Bigelow were each instrumental in closing Tribune’s going-private transaction in December 2007.

Tribune Station Switches to Fox Tribe


KSWB in San Diego to Depart CW Clan

By Michele Greppi


Tribune Co.’s KSWB-TV in San Diego will shift its network affiliation to Fox at the end of August, dramatizing the willingness of new Tribune owner Sam Zell to depart from the approach of the company’s former management.

KSWB is affiliated with The CW and was a founding affiliate of its now-defunct predecessor, The WB.

The station will start the 2008-09 season carrying Fox’s popular NFL coverage (San Diego is the home of the Chargers), as well as a prime-time lineup fueled by such hits as “House,” “24” and “American Idol.”

The talks were spearheaded by Randy Michaels, who has headed Tribune Co.’s Internet and broadcast operations since December, according to Tribune Broadcasting President Ed Wilson, who was president of the Fox Television Network before joining Tribune in February.
Mr. Wilson said Tribune will add three to four hours of news per day to the lineup of KSWB, which currently simulcasts the local morning program produced by Tribune’s KTLA-TV in Los Angeles and broadcasts a late local newscast produced by NBC-owned KNSD-TV in San Diego.

“This is a very good move for us,” Mr. Wilson told TelevisionWeek.

As for what will happen to The CW affiliation in the market, John Maatta, chief operating officer of The CW issued a statement saying: “Tribune is a valued partner of The CW’s and we’re confident that our interests in San Diego will be fully protected.”

Mr. Wilson noted that Tribune still will have 12 CW affiliates, whose general managers recently were briefed on prime-time plans by The CW President Dawn Ostroff.

“We continue to be very loyal. We’re going to do what’s best for The CW,” Mr. Wilson said. “We are talking on a daily basis.”

Changes
Tribune stations already represented the second-largest group of Fox affiliates. The addition of San Diego will mean seven Tribune-owned stations within the Fox fold.

The station losing Fox affiliation is XETV-TV, which is based just across the Mexican border in Tijuana and was purchased by Grupo Televisa in 1996.

Jon Hookstratten, Fox network distribution exec VP, said the network’s gains in this affiliation switch start with the fact that instead of working with a station situated in another country, the network will be collaborating with a station whose transmitter is located in the middle of the San Diego market, the 27th largest TV market in the country.

“It’s more of a stable situation,” Mr. Hookstratten said. “We are looking forward to it as a great opportunity.”

McKinnon Broadcasting had been in talks with Fox Broadcasting about affiliation when Tribune reached out to Fox about making the switch.

According to sources familiar with the history of the negotiations, the subject first came up when the previous Tribune regime was grappling with a great deal of challenge and change. Last week brought the news that Tribune Co. had lost $79 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, its last as a publicly traded company, and ended the calendar year barely profitable.

There also was the announcement that Mr. Zell’s new management team was going to combine operations of its Miami TV station, CW affiliated WSFL-TV, and the Tribune-owned South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper.

The Passing of Julio Barajas





Easter Sunday was a somber day as word came my way from my brother Michael that his father, my stepfather Julio Barajas, had passed away Easter morning. Just the day before we had all gathered to celebrate Mike’s 39th birthday, which changed our festive mood into one of sadness and sorrow.

Julio was not your typical stepfather; he always greeted me with a smile, and was always happy to see anyone that crossed his path. He leaves behind three sons, seven to ten grandchildren, and three stepchildren.

Julio’s first career was a dangerous one of bull fighting, and after immigrating to the States landed a job for the Times Mirror Corporation as a pressman at the now stuttered Times Mirror Press on Boyle Street. In his spare time Julio coached several soccer teams in the East Los Angeles area. All he touched will miss him.

Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.


Monday Morning News


The Blogging Pressman meets the Blogging Fireman, Brian Humphrey

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Movie: Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day

Miss Pettigrew is for all of us who have been forced to take part in circumstances despite feelings we don't belong. In this comedy, Frances McDormand gives an understated and excellent performance as a misfit and much-fired nanny tossed onto the streets with nary a pence nor stitch. Pre WWII and desperate for both food and job, Miss Pettigrew makes a fateful decision to show up at the door of Delysia Lafosse to assume a role as a social secretary. This story of the mousy "vicar's daughter" and the kept-starlet who can't say no, is a delightful romp through a twenty four hour period where love and honesty are explored and discovered. Amy Adams is both hilarious and heart tugging as an aging ingenue. Shirley Henderson --in a departure from "Moaning Myrtle" gives a good show as a plotting and unscrupulous salon owner, and Ciarán Hinds as her older, wiser fiancé who designs corsets and bras, but knows the value of simpler things.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

The dead don't come back to life -- with one exception

By DR. BILLY GRAHAM

DEAR DR. GRAHAM: Do you think they'll ever find Jesus' grave with His bones in it? I respect my Christian friends who say this can't happen because Jesus came back from the dead, but I'm studying to be a doctor, and I know that once someone is dead, nothing is going to bring them back to life. -- Z.J.

DEAR Z.J.: It might surprise you to discover that one of the Gospels that tells us about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead was written by Luke -- who was a medical doctor.
If anyone knew from personal experience that dead people didn't come back to life, it was Luke. And yet he was absolutely convinced the words of Peter he later recorded were true: "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact" (Acts 2:32). In fact, the Bible says hundreds saw Jesus after His resurrection, including more than 500 at one time (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Years later, those witnesses were still bearing testimony to the reality of Jesus' resurrection.
Not only that, but they were willing to die for their belief. People don't willingly die for what they know is a lie -- but they were, because they knew beyond doubt that God had raised Jesus from the dead. They knew too that His resurrection proved death and Satan had been conquered, and eternal life is available to all who put their faith and trust in Christ.
This Easter I invite you to take a new path in life -- Christ's path. He alone gives us hope -- hope for God's presence now, and hope for life beyond the grave. No, they'll never find Jesus' bones, because God raised Him from the dead, and because of that "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul" (Hebrews 6:19).

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!

Contact the Rev. Billy Graham c/o Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201, phone 877-247-2426, or see the Web site billygraham.org.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Sam Zell to Partners (Tribune Employees)


Dear Partner,

Today we filed our 10-K with the SEC, and released fourth quarter and full year financial information for 2007. I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that our results last year weren't good. Due to lower revenues, higher interest expense and some significant special charges, we reported a loss from continuing operations of $78 million in the fourth quarter. Our income from continuing operations for the full year was $55 million, which was a significant decline from 2006.

Unfortunately, this downward trend has continued into 2008. For the first two months of this year, publishing revenue is off more than we expected. While broadcasting is up over last year, it is not enough to offset the decline in publishing.

I have been trying to instill a sense of urgency among you all. I have been trying to get your attention, so that you recognize that today, right now, we are determining the outcome of this company's future. When I tell you to take the initiative, to take steps to make Tribune more competitive - that means take action! Don't wait for someone else to do it. Don't wait for someone to tell you exactly what to do. Create your own idea, figure out how we can weigh its risk vs. reward, and, if it makes sense, execute. Get together with your colleagues, and fight to improve our performance. If we succeed it will be because of heroes in the field who lead a grassroots sea change.

Now, let's focus on the future.

We've begun to build meaningful momentum so far in 2008. We've installed a new management team, initiated sweeping cultural change, taken significant steps to eliminate bureaucracy and to decentralize decision-making, and, I believe, we have improved morale across the company. We've also begun to infuse Tribune with more creative thinking than at any time in its history. On the operations side, we've shaken up our approach to ad sales across markets, and our newspapers, television stations and websites are embarking on an unprecedented level of cooperation.

Finally, as partners, I want you to know that the 10-K has information about the current value of the 56.5 million shares held by the ESOP. The total value of the shares at December 31, 2007, as determined by the ESOP trustee (after consulting with an independent appraiser) was $593 million or $10.50 per share. Remember that the value of these shares will fluctuate on an annual basis depending upon our financial results and capital structure. As we've explained previously, the first allocation of ESOP shares into individual employee accounts will take place in early 2009, but I think it's important that you know their current value. You may have some questions about the ESOP and the valuation of its shares. Here's a link to several new Q&As on this topic: http://triblink.trb/intranet/site/10k

We have an enormous challenge ahead of us. But, we're headed in the right direction.

The future is what we make of it together. Let's go for greatness.

Sam

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

Tribune Profits Spent on Golden Parachutes


Tribune Reports 2007 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

CHICAGO Mar. 20, 2008 -- Tribune Company today reported a loss from continuing operations of $78 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with income from continuing operations of $233 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. For the full year 2007, Tribune reported income from continuing operations of $55 million compared with $661 million in 2006.

"Despite the continued difficult operating environment and weakness in print revenue, we see significant opportunity within Tribune Company," said Sam Zell, Chairman and CEO. "In our first 75 days, we've made a series of key leadership changes, have launched a number of programs and projects to drive new revenue, and have initiated a fundamental shift in culture. In addition, we have begun a strategic review of certain Tribune assets to determine whether capital can be more effectively redeployed into our core operations or toward reducing our outstanding leverage."

The declines in both the fourth quarter and full year 2007 operating results were largely due to lower revenues, higher interest expense and the net effect of the items described below.

Fourth quarter 2007 and 2006 results from continuing operations included the following:

A pretax non-cash impairment charge of $130 million ($79 million after taxes) in the 2007 quarter to write-down the Company’s masthead intangible assets to fair value.

A pretax charge of $64 million ($42 million after taxes) in the 2007 quarter for accelerated stock-based compensation expense and certain one-time compensation payments resulting from the completion of the Company’s going-private transaction.

A pretax charge of $23 million ($16 million after taxes) for severance and related charges in the 2007 quarter compared with a pretax charge of $6 million ($4 million after taxes) in the 2006 quarter.

A pretax charge of $16 million ($10 million after taxes) in the 2007 quarter related to the Company’s new management equity incentive plan.

A pretax charge of $6 million ($4 million after taxes) in the 2007 quarter for the write-down of Tribune Entertainment program assets.

A pretax charge of $3 million ($2 million after taxes) in the 2007 quarter to increase the accrual for anticipated advertiser claims at Newsday.

A pretax charge of $4 million ($2 million after taxes) in the 2006 quarter for the disposition of a press related to the shutdown of the Los Angeles Times San Fernando Valley printing facility.

A pretax gain of $7 million ($4 million after taxes) in the 2006 quarter related to the sale of the corporate airplane.

An after-tax non-operating gain of $11 million in 2007 compared with an after-tax non-operating gain of $69 million in 2006.

Full report at Tribune Company

Tribune takes the Sun Times' prize


The Chicago Tribune has won the Sun Times' Sam Zell Wrigley Field naming rights contest.


Thursday Morning Links


Former Pressroom Supervisors Billy Deuel and Emmett Jamie

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Former Colleague Needs Our Help



I received a disturbing call this afternoon regarding the poor health of a former colleague in the pressroom. According to Misty Griffin, Orange County Pressroom supervisor, our friend and former presswomen Lauren Turner is suffering from Lupus. This landed Lauren in the hospital for many weeks, unable to earn a living, Lauren had to vacate her home and place all her belongings into storage. With no income at the moment I’m hoping Lauren’s former colleagues, and even people that just want to help someone, will make a donation to help her get back on her feet.

Lauren would love hearing from her former colleagues at the Los Angeles Times, drop her a message at pillowjockey@yahoo.com

Donations can be sent to:
Lauren Turner
1480 W. 46th Street
Los Angeles, CA. 90062

Jack Klunder Memo


Over the past weeks, I have been spending a great deal of time talking with the newspaper advertising sales leadership. These conversations have been very helpful to me and have confirmed that we have a very dedicated and talented sales team.

However, it has also become clear to me that in order to improve our revenue performance, we need to manage advertising’s sales operations in a much more disciplined manner. To address this need, we are organizing a new administrative group in the advertising department. This administrative group will be responsible for working with the advertising sales leadership team to implement effective processes for managing:

·Revenue planning, including reporting, goal setting and tracking
·New product development and implementation
·Sales strategy development, including pricing and product packaging
·Sales performance, including compensation/incentive programs, standards and metrics and accountability
·Coordination of sales training and recruitment with Human Resources

I am pleased to announce that Kim McCleary La France has been named to oversee this new group as Vice President Sales Operations and Planning. Kim will be strongly supported by Michele Manzo-Lembo and Ralph Muniz. As a result of this move, Marian Shima, Director of Public Affairs will take over the Public Affairs department and staff, reporting to Gwen Murakami.

Michele Manzo-Lembo has been named Director of Sales Strategy and Operations and will continue to oversee the development and implementation of new products, coordination of sales training and recruitment and advertising technology and systems. She will assume the additional responsibility of managing the processes for revenue planning, sales strategy development, and sales performance accountability.

Ralph Muniz, Director of Advertising Administration, will continue to oversee the management of advertising’s financial budget and revenue reports and will help to develop new benchmarking and metric reports that will enable the sales team to more effectively manage their business.

We are still in the process of searching for a Senior Vice President, Sales. In the interim, Kim and the Sales Directors will report to me.

This new structure will provide sales with the infrastructure and effective business processes to support our sales team and optimize our revenue performance. Thank you all for your continued support.

Jack Klunder
President, Los Angeles Times Newspaper

Mid-Week News


Pressmen's dinner May 1970

Click on title for additional dinner photographs

Zell exec Ed Wilson Memo


Today marks the beginning of a bold new era for Tribune Broadcasting—we’re taking the unprecedented step of joining the print and broadcast operations of WSFL in South Florida with those of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. For the first time ever, we’ll have all our media properties in this region under one roof in Ft. Lauderdale.
And that is great news for consumers and advertisers. It will give us the chance to develop new content, programming and sales opportunities in such areas as fashion, food, travel, entertainment and lifestyle. It will give advertisers a single point of contact and a way of buying media efficiently across all our properties in South Florida.

Since we didn’t think he had enough to do while running two newspapers, Sun-Sentinel publisher Howard Greenberg, who is also serving as interim publisher of the Orlando Sentinel, will assume the additional responsibilities of general manager at WSFL. Also joining the new leadership team at WSFL is Allyson Meyers, who will serve as station manager.

Howard knows the region better than anyone; Ally knows TV sales and operations. Together they’ll make a great team....

Ed

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

Tribune Creates Multimedia Powerhouse in South Florida


Company Joins Broadcast, Interactive and Newspaper Operations
Under One Roof;
Properties Will Collaborate to Generate Unique Content and Sales Opportunities


CHICAGO Mar. 19, 2008 -- Tribune Company today announced that it will join the broadcast and interactive operations of its Miami television station, WSFL-TV (CW39), with those of its Ft. Lauderdale-based newspaper, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, under a single roof to create a media powerhouse serving readers, viewers and advertisers.

Specific benefits of combining TV, newspaper and online operations in South Florida include:

    • South Florida’s leading source for news and information, the Sun-Sentinel,
      will serve as a new and innovative content engine for WSFL’s on-air and online
      programming.
    • More choices and greater market coverage for
      advertisers.
    • Increased efficiency for advertisers, who will have a single
      point of contact for all three properties.
    • Unlimited cross-promotional
      activities.



“This strategy is unprecedented in a major U.S. market,” said Howard Greenberg, Sun-Sentinel president and publisher. “This gives our print, broadcast and interactive operations the opportunity to work together to develop unique content and programming in a variety of areas. Plus, with this combination, there will be no better way for advertisers to reach more people with a consistent message.”

In addition to his duties as publisher of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, interim publisher of the Orlando Sentinel, and part-time Lake Okeechobee tour boat captain, Greenberg will become general manager of WSFL.

Ed Wilson, president of Tribune Broadcasting said, “This approach makes great sense for consumers and advertisers in South Florida, and keeps Greenberg busy and off the streets.”

Tribune also announced that Allyson Meyers is returning to WSFL as station manager after one year as general manager with WCWJ-TV in Jacksonville. Meyers was general sales manager at WSFL from 2004 to 2007.

“I’m excited about this,” Meyers said. “Having the print and interactive resources of the Sun-Sentinel within arms reach will be a tremendous advantage. And we’ll be a good resource for the newspaper, too—it has to work both ways to maximize the opportunity.”

WSFL will move into existing space at the Sun-Sentinel’s offices in Ft. Lauderdale.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

San Francisco Peninsula Press Club: CBS5 to provide news video, ads to bloggers



CBS5 is trying a new way to get its news headlines, video and advertising to the public. CBS5 is offering widgets to local bloggers and social media Web sites. Each widget will feature top local headlines and images with links to the video and text stories on the CBS station's site. Included in the widget is a banner ad that CBS5 will sell, but share the revenue with the blogger or Web site. Local sites that have already become members of the CBS 5 Local Ad Network include SFBayStyle and UrbanSpoon .

Tuesday Morning Hyperlinks


Monday, March 17, 2008

An Irish Blessing

"May there always be work for your

hands to do;

May your purse always hold a coin or two;

May the sun always shine on your

windowpane;

May a rainbow be certain to follow

each rain;

May the hand of a friend always be near you;

May God fill your heart with gladness

to cheer you.”

Sunday, March 16, 2008

How things have changed (Warning: sissy stuff)

Impressions of fashion week--
Everyone reporting was doing it for online sources. Almost no one works solely for print publications anymore. I met tons of bloggers --some of their blogs are really bad. Most have a bunch of ads up and all they do is say, "oooo.... I liked this dress and then had people "vote." Most of the good writing came from veteran fashion journalists --kind of a breed nearing extinction and it was a pleasure to meet them. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week made it easy --they even provide official photographs online that we could access. So really, there's no reason to even bring your photographer anymore. Amazing.
And... the papparazzi is really obnoxious. I saw one lady holding a microphone 2" from Mena Suvari's face as she was just sitting there trying to get ready for the show.

Filming of the Soloist at the Los Angeles Times


Last Thursday and Friday the Los Angeles Times Olympic Production Facility was transformed into a movie set for the filming of the Soloist. The movie is based on Los Angeles Times writer Steve Lopez’ article on musician Nathaniel Ayers, starring Robert Downey Jr., and Jamie Foxx.

The pressroom and mailroom has been the scene of many commercials and movie’s the last few years, with the film crews sometimes using props and others times using the pressmen and women as their props.




Friday, March 14, 2008

Sartorialists At The Gate



Typical day:
Get up, blog. Download photos and check the Mercedes Benz site for uploaded shots of the shows. Go through mail, walk dog, do yard work. Make Bolognese sauce --enough for 1 day of spaghetti, one day of lasagna. Go get kids. Explain to them that you will be back around 10:00 p.m. --earlier if you can. Drive to MBFW through choked freeways. Think of kids at home, probably watching reality TV and fighting over who has to heat up the lasagna.

I think of all the lines written about fashion week, Metromix Fashion Editor Marcos Luevanos came up with the winner:
"After a day of greatly disliking pretty much every show—Suh Than’s being the exception—we were in low spirits. Would we have to spend the remaining three days in agony on the side of the runway like a Hummer-struck fawn?"
I also found out who the nattily attired gentleman was who I'd seen since day one. Christopher M is a professional stylist and works with .....well, stars, editorial spreads and the gamut of all things fashion. Believe me, when you get your big book accepted and have hired a PR company, you want to consult Christopher M.

I also brought a box of GirlScout cookies as a thank you to James Freni and the others in the Press Office. They've worked tirelessly for a month to help all of us bloggers, editors, videographers and photographers to gain access to the shows. They loved the cookies. As one said, "There are no Girl Scouts in Manhattan."

Allison McKenna was there. She's the Senior Editor from Kiwibox, which is a site for teens and young college students. I hope I can hook her up with Professional Skateboarder Holly Lyons who has started a line of skate clothing for young and teenage girls. Holly and I met at the Suh Tahn show.

Swimwear designer Ashley Paige. Photo courtesy of Mercedes Benz.

So we didn't get into Ashley Paige's swimwear show. The tent, with a capacity of 350, was simply too small given that Ashley had invited 700 of her best friends. I think AP could easily fill the main tent next year, and maybe should stage 2 shows --one for her 10,000 friends, the other for the press, editors and buyers who should of course, get the goody bags because we need to be kept happy.

So instead of the lowdown on the show, I'll report on a few of her invited guests, who all had something to do with money, finance and otherwise keeping AP out of the red. One feathered-hair chap was hitting on a model type in front of him without any success. Finally, he was approached by a gamine jeune fille and the two played a game of ping pong flirtation. Miss Y's line was, "I have been to NY, like 12 times." Mr. X's line was, "You're really cute, I'm going to put you into my phone and call you sometime." Too funny. Does that line work? Yes, it still does. Miss Y was thrilled. Later on, we overheard from someone who knows him that Mr.X has a girlfriend. No doubt, Mr. X will call Miss Y from his car.
And really, Ashley, this is why we bloggeristas should get into your shows. We hear and see things unfit to print.

I was going to stay for Pussycat Dolls. But earlier when I'd gone to Trader Joe's, Ajay the clerk looked at me and said, "So what's it going to be, a tube sock and some torn panty hose?"

Touché, Ajay. I went home and decided to let Marcos suffer through it instead.

Will You Baldly Step Forward to Help?



On Saturday March 15, 2008, Los Angeles Firefighters and Police Officers will be hosting their fifth annual combined St. Baldrick’s Event, and you are welcome to participate or cheer them on at a fun-filled family event in North Hollywood from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.



- Free Pancake Breakfast (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM)
- KIIS-FM- Monster Energy Truck
- Providence Blood Donations
- National Marrow Donor Program
- Childwatch Registration
- Free photo and gifts for the kids!
- LAFD FireHogs and FireRods Display
- Silent Auction

Participants, or "Shavees" as they are known, will be collecting pledges from friends and family in exchange for shaving their heads. The bald heads signify solidarity with child victims of cancer, who often lose their hair while undergoing treatment.

Even if you choose not to shave, there is a need for general volunteers and supporters to help make the magic happen.

If this seems even remotely familiar - or you wonder why we are so passionate, please take moment to look at the single most visited LAFD blog post of all time

....and then, if you'd like to do something *really* special, in memory of someone *very* special, please click here.

All money raised at this event goes to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and is distributed to doctors and other researchers on the front lines of the war on childhood cancer.

WHO: LAPD and LAFD Personnel and you, our friends!
WHAT: Fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Research
WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
WHERE: LAFD Station #89, 7063 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood
WHY: Raising Money to Fight Childhood Cancer
HOW: Sign Up or Donate at www.stbaldricks.org

Will you baldly step forward, or make a small on-line donation right now to applaud those who do?

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

End of Week News


Blanca Ortiz and Cesar Calderon