Things have gotten so glum over at 4 Times Square that S.I. has hired Michael Sheehan, a crisis manager to try to turn around not only the press on the beleaguered publishing house, but also the spirits of those who still work there, according to the NY Post’s Keith Kelly.
Just to put this in context, Sheehan was the guy AIG went to during its troubled times, and he’s even coached presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
The idea apparently came from Lucky publisher Gina Sanders, who also happens to be married to a Newhouse (Steven) after she noticed that morale was at an all-time low. Well, obviously. I mean they’ve laid off almost 500 people and closed six magazines. Everyone knows the glory days are gone and there’s nothing fun about that.
We’re just wondering what Sheehan will bring to the table to make the media, advertisers and employees change their doomsday mentalities. We hope it’s more akin to the re-positioning of Barack or Bill, because we still don’t have many warm and fuzzy feelings for AIG.
posted by guest
Nov 06, 2009 12:27PM
I'm surprised people are demoralized... I would expect that people at Conde are more motivated to make sure their magazine (and their position) is relevant, necessary and profitable so that they don't get cut next time. If I were them, I would think that I need to prove that I do deserve the position I still have, not get sad and mope over the 'good old days.'
That kind of leadership and morale boosting needs to come from the top people at each magazine...I guess they are demoralized too.