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Disney Layoffs Hit ABC News, Kim Godwin Reorganizes Leadership Team
The Hollywood Reporter ^ | March 30, 2024 | Alex Weprin

Posted on 03/30/2023 9:09:45 AM PDT by abb

The Disney layoffs have hit ABC News.

The broadcast news division has laid off approximately 50 people as part of the company’s planned cuts, with ABC News president Kim Godwin reorganizing her senior leadership team. Godwin announced the changes in a note to staff Thursday morning.

“Throughout the company, teams are being impacted by the downsizing that was announced several weeks ago, including our own ABC News family. While these actions are never easy, they are a necessary step to ensure we’re on solid footing for the years ahead as we chart a sustainable, growth-oriented path forward for the entire organization,” Godwin wrote. “While this is a difficult time for all of us – particularly those directly affected by these tough decisions – it’s important to remember that together, we are resilient, and will emerge from this period of transition stronger than before.”

The new structure will see Katie den Daas become VP of newsgathering; Derek Medina adding oversight of talent strategy, production operations and business affairs; and Stacia Deshishku adding oversight of investigative and enterprise reporting, as well as booking.

As part of the changes a number of senior ABC News staffers are leaving the company, including senior VP of newsgathering Wendy Fisher; senior VP of talent Galen Gordon; VP of talent Mary Noonan; VP of corporate communications Alison Rudnick; senior executive producer Chris Vlasto; executive editorial producer Heather Riley and Los Angeles bureau chief David Herndon.

(Excerpt) Read more at hollywoodreporter.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abc; disney; layoffs; woke
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This just in.
1 posted on 03/30/2023 9:09:45 AM PDT by abb
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To: abb

“we chart a sustainable, growth-oriented path forward for the entire organization”

Translation of corporate speak:

“We are going down the tubes fast but plan to work the remaining slaves er employees like dogs until we dump them as well...”


2 posted on 03/30/2023 9:12:00 AM PDT by cgbg (Claiming that laws and regs that limit “hate speech” stop freedom of speech is “hate speech”.)
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To: abb

It is worth remembering that Disney owns ABC “news”.


3 posted on 03/30/2023 9:14:04 AM PDT by marktwain
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To: abb
Perhaps my all-time favorite ABC News moment: Sam Donaldson asks Ronald Reagan if he's responsible for economic problems
4 posted on 03/30/2023 9:16:02 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: cgbg

> for the entire organization”

i.e. the lower ranks get the shaft.


5 posted on 03/30/2023 9:17:28 AM PDT by glorgau
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To: abb

It is impossible to solve a problem if you don’t know what it is. Disney still does not understand their war against middle America is the problem, and that includes their news division that protects the left with shields of lies.

I will not be surprised when I hear Disney is selling off all things not part of the core Disney business (Marvel, Star Wars and ABC).


6 posted on 03/30/2023 9:22:54 AM PDT by CIB-173RDABN (I am not an expert in anything, and my opinion is just that, an opinion. I may be wrong.)
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To: abb

“Reorganizing” — We just axed these folks:
1. SVP of Newsgathering Wendy Fisher
2. SVP of Talent Galen Gordon
3. VP of Talent Mary Noonan
4. VP of Corporate Communications Alison Rudnick
5. Senior Executive Producer Chris Vlasto
6. Executive Editorial Producer Heather Riley
7. Los Angeles Bureau Chief David Herndon

WTH is “newsgathering”? Do they gather it into a little pile? Where are the REPORTERS?


7 posted on 03/30/2023 9:23:32 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (I don’t like to think before I say something...I want to be just as surprised as everyone else.)
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To: marktwain

Sure is. People tend to forget that. The death grip the left has on media is a big part of the reason we are in the mess we are in.


8 posted on 03/30/2023 9:24:58 AM PDT by gibsonguy
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To: cgbg

So you’ve spent some time in the corporate world, too?

A decade ago, I worked for a company that had an emergency board meeting on a Sunday and on Monday morning we had a new CEO (who happened to be a board member). He convened an all-hands meeting and told us “We’ve had a bit of change at the top, but no other changes are planned. Steady as she goes. Keep doing your jobs.”

You needed the IQ of a snail to believe that. It took a few weeks, but the company put 70 businesses up for sale. The prior CEO had been on an acquisition binge the previous six or seven years and the results had been absolutely abysmal.


9 posted on 03/30/2023 9:28:04 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (I don’t like to think before I say something...I want to be just as surprised as everyone else.)
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To: Tell It Right

lol = thanks for posting that


10 posted on 03/30/2023 9:29:16 AM PDT by GAgal
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To: abb

Feel good story of the day!


11 posted on 03/30/2023 9:29:24 AM PDT by Ge0ffrey
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To: abb

I have some NEWS for them:

Being on UNEMPLOYMENT sucks.


12 posted on 03/30/2023 9:31:44 AM PDT by LeonardFMason
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

When they start using words like “sustainable” and “stakeholders” you know what is gonna happen next....

If there are any corporate managers tuning in, here is how you do it right:

“I know you are used to being lied to and treated like fools. That ends today. I am going to under-promise and over-deliver. No promises today—I just ask you to watch what happens next.”


13 posted on 03/30/2023 9:32:17 AM PDT by cgbg (Claiming that laws and regs that limit “hate speech” stop freedom of speech is “hate speech”.)
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To: anyone
" ... senior VP of talent Galen Gordon;
VP of talent Mary Noonan; ..."

VP's of "talent?" What is that supposed to be,
the Personnel Department or HR? There must be such a
lack of "talent" at ABC they don't need VPs of Talent to
to manage all of their mediocre and talentless leftist
Democrat Party personnel.

14 posted on 03/30/2023 9:34:41 AM PDT by StormEye
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

IMO, that is when DIS started going sideways, when in 1995 they bought ABC/ESPN. All that political intrigue of the news division, plus the Hollywood influence was just too much.

IMHO.


15 posted on 03/30/2023 9:38:58 AM PDT by abb
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To: marktwain

ALSO ESPN


16 posted on 03/30/2023 9:40:33 AM PDT by ridesthemiles
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

My wife worked for Memorex for 15+ years, almost to it’s end.

Near Memorex’s End of Life, they were losing $250M/quarter, closing entire mfg plants weekly. Bourrough’s eventually bought Memorex after it gutted and field dressed.

We were already in the process of moving to the Midwest, getting her out of Memorex n putting California in our rear-view mirror was the gift that keeps on giving.


17 posted on 03/30/2023 9:40:54 AM PDT by fastrock ( )
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To: cgbg
Oh yeah. Nothing is quite as growth-oriented as firing staff.

I could have made it easier for them. "Now, anyone who donated to the Democrat party go to Room A for a nice little gift certificate we have for you in the envelopes there. It's pink."

18 posted on 03/30/2023 9:45:38 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: cgbg
"When they start using words like “sustainable” and “stakeholders” you know what is gonna happen next....

Yep. the same thing happened to me in 2013 The employees
were sent an email that had those same words and phrases!
It has become standard corporate double-talk when
a company needs to "trim" its staff.

19 posted on 03/30/2023 9:53:33 AM PDT by StormEye
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To: abb

I hope these ladies now at the helms of ABC News Divisions have adequate testosterone, which will be needed to make bold decisions needed for success.

I don’t always see it. Cautious and safe is too often the path taken.


20 posted on 03/30/2023 9:58:45 AM PDT by chiller (Davey Crockett said: "Be sure you're right. Then go ahead'. I'll go ahead.)
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