Romenesko+ Memos | paidContent.org
Chris Doyle, who left his Naples Daily News publisher post in April 2010 to become vice president of content for the newspaper division at E.W. Scripps Co., resigned from Scripps last week. “We have no choice but to figure out how to improve our journalism and quality content while reducing our costs and at the same time discovering new revenue streams,” he writes in his farewell memo to colleagues. “Think of my departure as removing some more overhead from the operation. I’m leaving the island, to use the Easter Island analogy I have overused.”
From: Doyle, Chris
Sent: 9/16/2011 4:26 PM
To: DL-Newspaper Editors; DL-Site Managers; DL-SING Managers
Cc: DL-Newspaper Publishers; DL-Newspaper Operating Committee
Subject: Farewell and thank you more than I can every repay
Good afternoon everyone:
Let me avoid burying the lead and tell you at the outset that I am parting ways with Scripps, effective today.
I became VP of Content a little over a year ago, having continued my journalism devolution from reporter to editor to numerous ad sales roles to a pointy headed publisher and eventually to a bloated bureaucrat.
If you have heard me say it once, you have heard it a hundred times that we have no choice but to figure out how to improve our journalism and quality content while reducing our costs and at the same time discovering new revenue streams.
And over the last year, your efforts have moved us along this path:
*Our papers have received unprecedented recognition for their journalism this year, including finalist standing for a Pulitzer and a Scripps Howard Award (I’m particularly proud that this one involved a company-wide effort led by Scripps Howard News Service).
*You are leaders of collaboration within the company and industry for multimedia journalism.
*You have reduced costs in the content function while improving quality and even adding front line staff. No easy feat.
*You have identified and begun to tap growing streams of new passive digital revenue and new paid digital content to complement our sales-supported content.
*You have discovered paths to innovative and premium content I believe can change the industry.
*And you have grown our digital audiences exponentially and stabilized our print circulation — even growing it in some locations.
I have mainly cheered and maybe cajoled and coordinated the efforts, which you have led as part of last year’s key strategy process.
So, think of my departure as removing some more overhead from the operation.
I’m leaving the island, to use the Easter Island analogy I have overused.
I am grateful to SVP Tim Stautberg for allowing me to send out a farewell note.
I am grateful to Scripps for the opportunities it has provided to me, particularly in the last year, where I received the gift in this role to get to better know people throughout the company.
You are truly leaders in the industry, and it has been my pleasure and honor to have worked with you.
Thanks to your work, I believe you stand on the brink of an exciting new season of journalism.
And it is my loss not to be there with you. My cell number will remain , and my private email is
Warmest warmest regards (and all due respect, bless your hearts.)
Chris
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From: Stautberg, Tim
Sent: 9/16/2011 4:53 PM
To: Doyle, Chris; DL-Newspaper Editors; DL-Site Managers; DL-SING Managers; SING Recipients
Cc: DL-Newspaper Publishers; DL-Newspaper Operating Committee
Subject: Chris Doyle
All,
A few minutes ago you received a note from Chris Doyle regarding his departure from Scripps and I wanted to add a few words to express my appreciation for his commitment and dedication to all of you, his colleagues throughout the company and the communities we serve.
More than a year ago he accepted the very daunting challenge of creating a content strategy for all of our newspapers during a period of historic change. The task entailed long nights at the office, sleepless nights at home and endless nights on the road, but he forged ahead because of the higher calling to which all good journalists respond.
Due in part to his efforts – in conjunction with your expertise – Scripps is well positioned to survive and thrive on the other side of this media convulsion. We’ve sharpened our focus on community-changing content while embracing innovative technologies that help us deliver that content across a growing number of platforms.
I know I speak for all of you when I write that we appreciate Chris’ leadership and celebrate his accomplishments … and we all wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
In the coming weeks I hope to provide some clarity on the steps we will take to fill the content role in the newspaper group. On an interim basis, and until further notice, all of you who reported directly to Chris will report to me.
My contact info is below. Please call me if you need me. My home number is if it’s at night and I’m not answering my cell phone.
Thanks,
Tim
Timothy E. Stautberg
SVP, Newspapers
The E. W. Scripps Company
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> E.W. Scripps looks to streamline digital operations with reorganization
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