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The Plain Dealer newsroom was given more reason to worry when PD Publisher Terry Egger recently announced that he will retire January 1, 2013.

Egger addressed some of the concerns — read: admitting changes are coming in the coming few months and trying to assuage the stress in the short term and soliciting staff questions— in a memo sent to staff today. Below, his full comments.

Colleagues:

I’d like to discuss our plans for the future of The Plain Dealer.

As you know, Advance markets in Michigan, Alabama, New Orleans and most recently in Harrisburg and Syracuse have launched — or are getting ready to launch — new digitally-focused companies.

While Advance has been developing, and refining, a digitally-focused approach over a number of years, it is the role of the local leadership team to design the best model to safeguard the future of their enterprise and preserve the quality of their journalism. We have to respond to the sweeping changes we see every day in how consumers are getting their news and information — and how advertisers are marketing themselves in this increasingly digital age.

In Cleveland, we face similar challenges. We also have significant opportunities to capitalize on the tremendous strengths of The Plain Dealer, Sun News and cleveland.com.

At this time, we do not have a specific plan, timeline, or structure for Cleveland. But we will — in the near future. That’s why we’re talking now.

This planning process will not be about simply cutting costs. It is a play to win — a bold bet to ensure our leadership in the market, uphold our journalistic standards, and continue our mission to serve the Northeastern Ohio community for years to come.

All local markets are different and we need to plan accordingly. A one-size-fits-all approach will not serve us well. I think you’ll agree that Cleveland is unique.

We know not having a specific plan and timeline adds stress and uncertainty for folks. But we must carefully evaluate the right way to proceed. We hope to have that plan finalized within the next several months — and when we do, we will tell you about it.

What should we all do now? Focus on the work in front of us and do the very best work we can.

I am available to answer questions as best I can and to discuss any issues with any of you at any time.

Thanks,
Terry

This article appears in Sep 12-18, 2012.

Vince Grzegorek has been with Scene since 2007 and editor-in-chief since 2012. He previously worked at Discount Drug Mart and Texas Roadhouse.

5 replies on “Outgoing Plain Dealer Publisher Terry Egger Addresses Staff in Memo”

  1. The answers to the future of main-stream media will be found out-side of the box. The newspaper folks are too afraid of losing jobs to have any good ideas. Good ideas do not ususlly come out of a mentality of fear. Fear of one form or another has driven the main stream news forever and it has always resulted in plans to avoid liabilities rather than take any risk. Lawyers and their bean-counters have managed most of corporate America for at least thirty years. The giant surplus of business degrees and MBA’s and law degrees has created a top-heavy bunch of ‘I built that–no I did–no he did–no they did’ mentality of trying to take credit for the good things and blame others for the bad. This new breed rarely takes responsibility for the problems created by the top and this very mentality of ‘we are better and more real and hard working and smart than those others who oppose us’…..Ideas need to be given breathing room and the ability to be judged by reason and common sense.

  2. With everything going digital nowadays, I find it very hard to see a traditional newspaper model work. Just because it’s very hard though, does NOT mean it’s impossible or that it can’t work. Either way, some tough decisions are going to have to be made, and some people are going to be left on the outside looking in. Whether that number is a few or almost everyone will be left up to the powers that be.

  3. I work with a great number of senior citizens who have no knowledge of the modern computer age, and it would be a shame to leave these folks without a physical paper to read. They do not have nor cannot afford computers, or other electronic devices that are so frequently being utilized by the masses. Please keep this in mind when you make your changes.

  5. Cleveland is absolutely unique, so I love how they’re using the cookie cutter 3 day model for Cleveland, just like they are in other cities.

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