Please Help a Fellow Falcon

rocketfootball · Post by **rocketfootball** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:07 pm

Newspapers found they can make more money online by offering their paper free and getting ad revenue from all the free surfers clicking on ads and so forth than they could having their online newspaper a subscription service. The problem is that advertisers are not spending as much money now with the economy so bad.

The cost of printing their regular paper form is getting more and more expensive as well, and nearly every newspaper in America is having trouble with their finances because of it.

1987alum · Post by **1987alum** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:42 pm

rocketfootball wrote:Newspapers found they can make more money online by offering their paper free and getting ad revenue from all the free surfers clicking on ads and so forth than they could having their online newspaper a subscription service.

You've got part of it right there. Newspapers have devaluted the Web for so long that they are having great difficulty convincing themselves of the value proposition the Web offers. As an advertising vehicle, it demands a much different sales strategy and most print sales reps are too concerned with protecting print dollars.

This was all true, however, before the recent economic downturn.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:31 pm

Nothing is more expensive than stupidity...

Metz · Post by **Metz** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:49 pm

rocketfootball wrote:Newspapers found they can make more money online by offering their paper free and getting ad revenue from all the free surfers clicking on ads and so forth than they could having their online newspaper a subscription service. The problem is that advertisers are not spending as much money now with the economy so bad.

The cost of printing their regular paper form is getting more and more expensive as well, and nearly every newspaper in America is having trouble with their finances because of it.

Exactly! We are getting into a groove of a more sustainable lifestyle. Living more within our means, also in a more environment friendly way. What is better than recycling? Not needing to recycle. No paper, no waste.

People seem to be smarter shoppers, too. We buy fewer things, but better things that will last longer the way the economy is. Advertisers are included in this, spending their money in the places they will reach the most people. Unfortunately for the newspapers, their sites and pages are becoming one of the last places people see ads.

jpfalcon09 · Post by **jpfalcon09** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:09 am

My dad works at The Blade and said he'd be shocked if they let Ryan go because more than likely they'll have to hire someone else anyways to replace him. Someone needs to make the trek down here to cover the teams for the paper, so I suspect he'll be alright.

As for newspapers dying, it is sad to see many of them failing. A lot of newspapers are trying to invest their money into larger online news sources with quick stories by local columnists and what not. I honestly think that newspapers will no longer be used in this country and be strictly online, essentially using local writers to comment on local issues and of course report on local events. The rising costs of newsprint and ink and losses in circulation are suffocating the industry.

For those of you who hate the Blocks, they're likely going to sell the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette due to loss of circulation and increased costs. They plan to keep The Blade going as long as they can.

Redwingtom · Post by **Redwingtom** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:59 am

jpfalcon09 wrote:My dad works at The Blade and said he'd be shocked if they let Ryan go because more than likely they'll have to hire someone else anyways to replace him.

That makes no sense.

Long live The Bland!!

It's really simple though. Axe the salary of Ryan. Provide less coverage of BG sports and use wire services and other sports reporters for the smaller amount of stories.

tiznow · Post by **tiznow** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:15 am

Redwingtom wrote:
jpfalcon09 wrote:My dad works at The Blade and said he'd be shocked if they let Ryan go because more than likely they'll have to hire someone else anyways to replace him.
That makes no sense.

Long live The Bland!!

It's really simple though. Axe the salary of Ryan. Provide less coverage of BG sports and use wire services and other sports reporters for the smaller amount of stories.

Unfortunately that is what happens. The Indianapolis Star had a beat writer for the Indianapolis Indians until about three years ago. Now the stories are from the wire services. You don't get the feel of the team from the wire articles. They still have a beat writer for the Indiana Fever.

Ryan does a very good job covering the Falcons. Hopefully he is not one of the cuts.

Ryan Autullo · Post by **Ryan Autullo** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:31 pm

I feel guilty that some of you took the time and effort to e-mail my boss, but I am very, very grateful to those who did, especially Drew. It’s pretty touching actually.

I’m just a reporter, no one overly important. I have two things in common with all of you --- I like sports, and I like to convey my thoughts in print. The only difference between me and you is one of us was smart enough not to get into the newspaper industry.

I still have not learned my fate with the company. Apparently the suits have been in a meeting with union members all afternoon. I do want to make something clear though. If I am cut, it should not be viewed as a negative reflection on my work habits. The layoffs are determined solely on seniority … and I’m one of the short dicks in the shower in that regard.

Again, many thanks. If there’s one thing I can take pride in, it’s that I have responded to each and every one of your e-mails over the last two years. I appreciate having such a passionate audience.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:36 pm

Ryan Autullo wrote:… and I’m one of the short dicks in the shower in that regard.

Don't feel bad, Ryan. There are a lot of big dicks in the newspaper reporting business.

I don't think anyone here thinks you're in this situation because of your abilities. You've done an excellent job keeping your ear to the ground of the BG scene, and it's greatly appreciated.

Best of luck to you, no matter how this crappy situation turns out.

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:51 pm

You know the one area where the print industry REALLY lags behind the Interwebs?

Porn.

I think I just solved the print industry's problems.

kdog27 · Post by **kdog27** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:57 pm

Ryan Autullo wrote:I feel guilty that some of you took the time and effort to e-mail my boss, but I am very, very grateful to those who did, especially Drew. It’s pretty touching actually.

I’m just a reporter, no one overly important. I have two things in common with all of you --- I like sports, and I like to convey my thoughts in print. The only difference between me and you is one of us was smart enough not to get into the newspaper industry.

I still have not learned my fate with the company. Apparently the suits have been in a meeting with union members all afternoon. I do want to make something clear though. If I am cut, it should not be viewed as a negative reflection on my work habits. The layoffs are determined solely on seniority … and I’m one of the short dicks in the shower in that regard.

Again, many thanks. If there’s one thing I can take pride in, it’s that I have responded to each and every one of your e-mails over the last two years. I appreciate having such a passionate audience.

Best of luck Ryan. I hope all your worrying is not in vain. Any decision the Blade makes that does not involve you as a part of it is a bad one.

Ryan Autullo · Post by **Ryan Autullo** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:57 pm

Jacobs4Heisman wrote:You know the one area where the print industry REALLY lags behind the Interwebs?

Porn.

I think I just solved the print industry's problems.

I really hope for your sake that "small dick in the shower" didn't trigger that thought.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:13 pm

Ryan Autullo wrote:I really hope for your sake that "small dick in the shower" didn't trigger that thought.

Probably not. J4H likes 'em big.

Tech83 · Post by **Tech83** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:28 pm

I have been thinking about the original post and thought it intriguing. And the thread went in the direction I thought it might.... which is the apparent death throes of print news. I glad to hear '87's thoughts.

My sister-in-law has the BGSU Journalism degree and has been out of the newspaper business since the late 80's. (Alum - she might have graduated with you..... Mr. Rogers at your graduation?). She is now in communications for a local university library. But even back then, jobs as a news writer were tough to get and harder to keep. And it was costs that drove things. Pay was crap. I know some time ago the Dayton Daily News effectively put most of their writers on a pay-for-piece rather than salary.

Now to Ryan.... what I have read - it's good stuff. But here's the thing...... if not Ryan - who. Costs have to be cut. Its not personal. Mrs. Tech's company has lost well over 1,500 people in the last year - she still is surviving. Many of her friends have been released. Its tough stuff. And Mrs. Tech has been in those meetings where decisions are made to sever people. It is absolutely not fun. Decisions (or at least some people try) are made on how to make the company survive to see another day.

To be honest.... if the Blade was an architecture firm - they would sever the older and more experienced people and keep the lower paid kids like Ryan.

Good luck Ryan. I hope, no matter what happens at the Blade, things work out for you.

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:37 pm

TG1996 wrote:
Ryan Autullo wrote:I really hope for your sake that "small dick in the shower" didn't trigger that thought.
Probably not. J4H likes 'em big.

Your mom needs to learn to keep a secret.