Posted on 02/23/2010 12:19:58 PM PST by Beaten Valve
From: Westin, David L.
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 3:40 PM
To: #ABCTV News ALL
Cc: Sweeney, Anne X.
Subject: ABC News Transformation
Over the past several years, weve seen a lot of changes — changes at ABC News and in the news industry overall. Im proud of the way weve responded both to unexpected transitions in our programs and to the economic realities of our business. Weve adapted quickly and effectively and above all put our audiences first. Our programs are stronger today than they were ten years ago. This is a credit first and foremost to the men and women at ABC News.
But all of us are good reporters. We can see that our entire society is in the middle of a revolution — a revolution in the ways that people get their news and information. The digital age makes our business more competitive than ever before. It also presents us with opportunities we couldnt have imagined to gather, produce, and distribute the news. We can have great success in the new world but only if we embrace what is new, rather than being overwhelmed by it.
The time has come to anticipate change, rather than respond to it. We have a rare opportunity to get in front of whats coming, to ensure that ABC News has a sound journalistic and financial footing for many years to come, and to serve our audiences even better. But we must move boldly and promptly. In the past, weve sought out less expensive ways to replicate what weve always done. The time has come to re-think how we do what we are doing.
To that end, we anticipate that between now and the end of the year ABC News will undergo a fundamental transformation that will ultimately affect every corner of the enterprise. We will be guided by one central principle: In everything, we will ensure that we put our audiences first providing them with first-rate journalism covering the things that matter the most to them in ways no one else does. And, we will do it with a business model that ensures we will be here for our audiences for many years to come.
The transformation will have six basic components:
1. In newsgathering, we intend to dramatically expand our use of digital journalists. We have proven that this model works at various locations around the world. We believe we can take it much further;
2. In production, we will take the example set by Nightline of editorial staff who shoot and edit their own material and follow it throughout all of our programs, while recognizing that we will continue to rely upon our ENG crews and editors for most of our work;
3. In structure, we will combine our weekday and weekend operations for both Good Morning America and World News;
4. In special events, we will rely upon our program staff through the day and night to cover unexpected events and marshal personnel from across the division to cover scheduled events;
5. In newsmagazines and long-form programming, we will move to a more flexible blend of staff and freelancers so that we can respond to varying demand for hours through the year; and
6. Overall, we will eliminate redundancies wherever possible.
An essential part of this intended transformation will be extensive training in the new technology whether in the field or in-house. This is an extension of the digital bullpen training weve undertaken already, but it will be on a scale that we have not seen before. This training program and changes it will make possible in all of our operations will make ABC News the place to work in the digital age. We wont just be preparing people for the new world; we will be living in it.
When we are finished, many job descriptions will be different, different skill sets may be required, and, yes, we will likely have substantially fewer people on staff at ABC News. To ease the transition, we are offering a voluntary separation package to all full-time, U.S.-based, non-union, non-contract employees. Information and details of the program will be sent to your home address in the next few days. The response to this voluntary program will determine the extent to which we will need to make further reductions. I encourage everyone to talk with their supervisor if they have any questions.
Any voluntary separation offers for union-represented employees will be in accordance with our obligations under the applicable labor agreement. Whatever changes we make overseas will be done in compliance with local laws and, where required, include management consultation in advance.
Throughout this process, I will keep you informed of where we are and where we are going with the transformation. Tomorrow, I will discuss this on the 9:30 call, and we will be holding meetings with various groups of staff in New York. Kate OBrian and I will be in Washington next week to explain what we are planning in person and to take questions. Either Kate or David Reiter will be travelling to the bureaus in the coming days to do the same.
I wont pretend that all of this will be easy. But I do truly believe that it will be good for ABC News. I believe in this institution. I believe in its mission and in its future. As always, I will need your help in making sure that we are as strong as we can be for many years to come.
Thank you.
“ABC News has begun the process of eliminating 300 to 400 positions at the news division by asking employees to participate in a buyout of their services. “
I don’t know about you all, but I’m starting to feel all hopey and changey!
Yep. Sheppie and Geraldo are quite enough, thank you very much.
But think of all the other people who are still there!
They all count as “jobs saved”!!!
I guess someone lied (again).
Just how many people does it take to reprocess DNC press releases, anyway? only a handful.
“Hasta La Vista, Baby!”
What? They have to balance their budget...LOL...that doesn’t enter the minds of the MAO-bama adorers...amazing how reality often impinges upon liberal/socialist dreamers...couldn’t happen to a nicer group of alphabet soup RAT pressers.
Good luck finding work. (How’s that tingly leg hope workin’ for ya?)
Hilarious...:)
Bush’s fault!
I know!
How about they drift further to the left?
That oufhta fix it!
ping
They’re asking for ya
Cutbacks have been both in the wind and noticeable for months. At this point we have no idea what will shake out.
Thanks for the PING.
The “We’ll Kill This Dog” part got cut off, but that graphic is still really disgusting.
LOL!!
Perky hasn’t looked that good in 20 years.
Not to mention ‘Mama’s Family’.
300 to 400 positions at the news divisionSince when does ABC have one of those? Oh, maybe they mean the partisan shill division. Thanks Beaten Valve.
You mean Brian Ross finally picked up on the story of Wright. The media ignored it for a long while. And Hannity was beating it like a drum for how long?
He didn’t break the story so let’s be honest about it.
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