Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club

Take Back the Times: Eulogy for our Father

2008-07-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

Due too the holiday weekend I'm certain many were unable to attend Ken Reich's services yesterday, that would have wanted to be there. Ken's children have posted the eulogy for their father on his blog Take Back the Times, which will give you a feel for Ken Reich.

By Kathy and David Reich

My sister and I worked on this together, and we are so grateful that you are here today. Dad always loved a good funeral. He would come home from a
funeral, call one of us, and proceed to give the funeral a review. So Kathy and I are really feeling the pressure to make this funeral a memorable one.

We’ve been truly overwhelmed by the incredible postings on his blog and the emails and phone calls. Many people have focused on Dad’s impressive
accomplishments as a journalist. But just as many people have commented on what a proud father he was. Today I want to talk about our Dad as Kathy and I knew him.

Dad was, at heart, a great idealist, even a champion for social justice. In high school in the 1950’s, he would insist on having his Latino, African American, and Native American friends over to dinner, even when some of my grandparents’ friends were appalled.

Entire eulogy can be read by following the link below.

Take Back the Times: Eulogy for our Father

Los Angeles Times Now on Amazon Kindle

2008-07-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

Jack Klunder memo:

As you may know, the Tribune Company recently completed an agreement with Amazon to produce our publications on their new Kindle Reader. I’m happy to announce that the Los Angeles Times is the first Tribune paper to go LIVE and as of today, is available for purchase on Amazon’s Kindle store at http://www.amazon.com/Los-Angeles-Times/dp/B0016LG51A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1214944957&sr=1-1.

This is another great step in offering our readers a choice in how they receive news and information. If you’re unfamiliar with Kindle, you can learn more here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FI73MA/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=2126589341&ref=pd_sl_20wgx685w_b

Save Our Trade: How Can Partners fire Partners?

2008-07-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

In light of the news that another 250 Los Angeles Times employees, (Aka Sam Zell Partners) will be leaving, as announced by Publisher David Hiller and Editor Russ Stanton, I decided to post the responses we have generated thusfar from Survey question #3. .

Do you think it is right for Sam Zell to lay off partner/employees when he borrowed against their retirement by creating an ESOP to purchase Tribune?

Click on the link below to read the results

Save Our Trade: How Can Partners fire Partners?

Pre-July Fourth News

2008-07-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

Automatic Guided Vehicles Moving Newsprint

“It’s worth fighting for” - Jessica DaSilva
Danger! Will Robinson, Danger! - Tell Zell
Tampa Trib Editor Talks Tough - Paul Gillin
Clarifying the news about MediaNews - Gary Scott
Newspapers Latest Worry: Newsprint - Mark Lacter
Metromix Gets Hot and Bothered - Franklin Avenue
Newspapers that Twitter: June numbers - Erica Smith
LA Times cutting more positions… watch out! - Sean Bonner
What if they didn’t give a party and nobody cared? - Jeff Jarvis
More Tribune Co Lay Offs: Sun Sentinel to Cut 58 Jobs - Mayrav Saar

Pressman David Rascon Hospitalized

2008-07-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

Our colleague David Rascon was hospitalized yesterday at White Memorial Hospital, and will remain in the hospital while his doctors continue testing in an attempt to diagnose his condition.

I spoke with David yesterday and he sounded very weak, but today he has regained much of his strength and spirit and wants nothing more than to sleep in his own bed and return to work.

Give David a call at 323.268.5000, room 6513 and wish him the best.

Goodbye Ken Reich, We'll Miss You

2008-07-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

After laying our friend Ken Reich to rest, I departed Mount Sinai in the sweltering heat and turned my cell back on to see how many important calls I had missed. Before I could open the first text message I received another phone call from a colleague asking how the funeral was?

For a moment I pondered my answer, should I tell him we were all wailing and overcome with grief, isn’t this how a funeral should be, I thought to myself? Or should I tell him the truth, because Ken’s services were festive, funny, informative, and sad, I choose to tell him it was OK.

Arriving ten minutes prior to the start of the service I landed a seat in the very last row of pews, as the room was filled to capacity with family and friends. Folding chairs filled the void at the rear of the room, but they too would be filled with an overflow of people.

The large crowd was a reflection of the impact Ken had on the people around him.

After the Rabbi completed the prayers Ken’s friend of forty-three years shared the many experiences they had shared, from their working relationship to just having fun. Gave many of us that did not know Ken personally a much broader insight into the man, and his great sense of humor.

A former colleague from the Los Angeles Times shared how Ken would triple check sources before submitting his articles for publication, and reminded the crowd he’s still employed at the newspaper.

But what I found most touching was the speech, written by David and Kathy Reich, delivered by David regarding their father. The children shared the experiences from very young ages to adults, which had us laughing and crying. There was much love in the room this afternoon as we all showed Ken how much we cared for him.

This was a very good and fitting funeral for a friend.

Kevin Rodericks View

Tribune Press Release

2008-07-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

Tribune Signs Asset-backed Commercial Paper Facility

CHICAGO, July 3, 2008 -- Tribune Company announced today that it has signed a $300 million asset-backed commercial paper facility with Barclays Bank PLC. The facility allows Tribune to raise cash proceeds through the company’s outstanding trade receivables. Initially, Tribune borrowed $225 million under this facility; net proceeds were used to repay the company’s term loan X.

Black Wednesday at the Los Angeles Times

2008-07-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

Ken Reich Tributes - LAObserved
Los Angeles Times Announces Cuts - Mark Lacter
Los Angeles Times now on Kindle - LA Biz Observed
Los Angeles Times to cut 250 jobs - Los Angeles Times
Tribune, WFLA To Trim News Staffing - Tampa Bay Online
150 in the Newsroom and 250 Across the LA Times - Tell Zell
Star-Tribune labor talks might preserve newsroom - MinnPost
'L.A. Times' Cuts 250 Jobs, 15% of Pages - Editor & Publisher
L.A. Times to downZell 150 newsroom positions - Kevin Roderick
Breaking News: LA Times to Cut 250 Jobs; Newsroom Hit Hard - Paul Gillin

David Hiller and the Newsroom Job Cuts

2008-07-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

From: Hiller, David
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 2:09 PM
To: zzTrbAllHandsLAT; zzMediaGroups
Subject: FW: Newsroom job cuts

Folks,

Last week I talked about the actions we must take to build a viable, sustainable Los Angeles Times Media Group.

A necessary, but painful, part of fixing our business for the future is getting costs in line with revenues. Russ Stanton announced today (memo below) that we are eliminating approximately 150 positions from the newsroom. In total, we are eliminating approximately 250 positions company-wide, with most business-side reductions having already taken place. Similar efforts have been undertaken all across the newspaper industry and other areas, including many of our customers in auto, real estate, banking, travel, and retail who have also had to cut their own employees — and their advertising with us.

As hard as it is to keep all this change in perspective, it is critical that we think about it in terms of the future. We must build the next generation of journalism and media and not preside over the decline of an old business model. How we think about the future, and communicate this to our customers will make all the difference.

As we move forward, our plans include:

· A re-designed flagship Los Angeles Times newspaper to debut in the fall, reflecting the work of the Reinvent team, the Spring Street Project, and related efforts underway for quite some time
· A re-designed latimes.com website
· A combined multimedia newsroom to produce excellent content for both
· More targeted products for new audience segments
· A re-organized sales team fired up to turn our revenue picture around
· Increased utilization of our operating strengths so we can print and distribute newspapers and other products all across SoCal

We also need to remember that even with staff reductions, we have extraordinary and passionate people, great brands that readers and users trust, and advertising partners who want us to succeed because that is how they succeed.

Thank you for all that you do. And as we say goodbye to some of our colleagues, please join me in remembering and thanking them for helping build this great place.

David

Newsroom Job Cuts Los Angeles Times

2008-07-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

From: Stanton, Russ
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 2:05 PM
To: yyeditall
Subject: Newsroom job cuts

Colleagues:

You all know the paradox we find ourselves in: Thanks to the Internet, we have more readers for our great journalism than at any time in our history. But also thanks to the Internet, our advertisers have more choices, and we have less money. Add to that a poor economy, particularly for us in the California housing market, and you quickly see why a wave of cutbacks has swept through newsrooms this year from New York to Santa Ana .

We are not immune. As David Hiller mentioned in his memo last week we are embarking on another round of cost cutting. I deeply regret to report we will be reducing the size of our editorial staff, both print and Web, by a total of 150 positions, and reducing the number of pages we publish each week, by about 15%.

These moves will be difficult and painful. But it is absolutely crucial that as we move through this process, we must maintain our ambition and our determination to produce the highest-quality journalism in print and online, every day.

Through all of our changes, we continue to give readers terrific coverage, whether it's the continuing collapse of the housing market, public pools that have been taken over by gangs, or the controversy surrounding liver transplants at one of our most prestigious hospitals. We've provided insight into the historic presidential campaign, and we've delivered exclusive, on-the-scene looks at the brutal repression in Zimbabwe and the continuing war in Iraq . The future of The Times, in print and on the Web, depends on that kind of journalism -- exclusive, original, excellent. We will not retreat from that commitment.

I don't yet have all the details on the reductions to come, but we expect to complete these moves by Labor Day. We'll provide more information, including the severance terms, as soon as we can. As part of this process, we will be combining the print and Web staffs into a single operation with a unified budget.

I appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation during this difficult time. John, Davan and I, and the rest of the senior editing team, will be available to answer your questions. With more than 700 people, we will remain one of the largest and best newsrooms in the country. And we will continue to be a strong and formidable presence in the business we so dearly love.

Russ Stanton
Editor
Los Angeles Times
202 W. 1st St .
Los Angeles CA 90012

Message From Sam Zell

2008-07-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Progressive Changes

Partners,

I’m sure by now, you’ve all seen the Orlando Sentinel redesign. Its debut received great coverage from Chicago Tribune, as well as from Wall Street Journal. The Orlando team did a terrific job in launching its new product, and we’re getting great feedback from readers (especially the younger demographic) and advertisers.

The Sentinel’s redesign is one of the more visible changes being made throughout our company, but there are many more you may not know about. So, going forward, I’ll be highlighting success stories from across business units – whether it’s an idea someone brought to fruition, a way someone found to bridge the gap between business units, or a team initiative put into action. We’ll also start posting these kinds of stories on the AFDI page in Triblink (http://triblink.trb/intranet/site/afdi).

Here are a number of ways that your colleagues are advancing our company today:

Top of the Ticket, LA Times’ political blog, is now the 129 top-ranked blog in the world, and the third highest-ranked newspaper politics blog in the country, behind only The New York Time’s Caucus and Washington Post's Trail, both of which are in the top 100. Top of the Ticket received 2.63 million page views in May alone. Even better, the LA Times ad team is now successfully selling ads tied to the Ticket as a worldwide Top 150 blog. Key Players: Andrew Malcolm, Don Frederick, Tony Pierce, Meredith Artley, Juliana Jaoudi

Tribune Interactive just finished rolling out an iPhone compatible template for the newspapers.com. We’re seeing traffic on these iPhone pages, and expect this very specific market will provide unique advertising opportunities as it grows.Key Players: Cyril Jones, Barb Healy, Jeremy Hill, Joe Kelly, Chris Weilemann and Nick Melville

Circling back to Orlando, Karen Pistone initiated the launch of a racing fan guide website (to cover events like NASCAR). Karen did her homework and pitched the idea to the interactive team. The website is up, featured in the travel section, in time for the July ‘08 race in Daytona. (You can see it at orlandosentinel.com/fifthturn.) As a result, our ad sales team now has a new relationship with Miami Speedway. Further, there are plans to incorporate the racing fan guide content into EverythingOrlando.com, a new hyper-local site the team is developing. Key Players: Karen Pistone, Linda Schaible, Rick Tribou, Roger Simmons

Finally, David Martinez at KTLA-TV suggested we compile all of our licensed celebrity video -- hundreds of hours of video from press junket interviews, red carpet premieres, celebrity benefits, celebrity parties, as well as exclusive film trailers and clips, and in-studio interviews – into a website. The LA Times has already been developing solid celebrity websites (Envelope.com, HollywoodBacklot.com), but David’s outreach has brought them together, making the whole stronger than the sum of its parts.

I encourage you all to send in more success stories that reflect how we are going to make Tribune the industry leader on all fronts.

So, I ask you, what have you and your team changed lately?

Sam

talktoSam@tribune.com

3 reasons why OC should remain open.

2008-07-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Location: Proximity to the Beach is very relaxing and beneficial to the spirit. Creating a positive work environment.
Location: Being so close to the beach guarantees the temperature of the facility to be 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Down Town. Lower electric Bill
Location: With so many restaurants and shops, one can take care of all the errands at lunch without having to drive far.

Just an observation.

Dan Neil's Hands Free Alternatives

2008-07-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

Dan Neil's guide to what to do with your hands now that they're free with the new hands-free law taking effect for California drivers on July 1st, 2008.

And The Survey Says.....

2008-07-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder, the employee survey of Tribune Executives, managers, and pressroom supervisors will cease on July 15th, 2008, so be sure and rate the raters before the deadline.

You will only be allowed to take the survey once; from each computer in your possession or that you have access to, because IP addresses are stored. And you thought you were anonymous.

After guiding two colleagues through the survey, the men thanked me for allowing the tables to be turned. But I reminded the men I was not responsible for the creation of the survey, my cousin Ronnie Pineda came up with this great idea.

You can access the survey from Save Our Trade or go directly to the survey from here.

Tribune Press Release

2008-07-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

The Noise You Can't Ignore Grows Louder in Chicago

CHICAGO, July 1, 2008 -- Wikipedia says, "The Jacor name is retired from broadcasting," but the roaring bark of Jacor’s mascot bulldog is being heard loud and clear in Chicago. That bark added more bite this week when Tribune Interactive President Marc Chase named Jana Gavin senior director/business development for Tribune Interactive.

Gavin is part of a growing team of Jacor veterans now working for Tribune, which includes Chase, Sean Compton (senior vice president/programming for Tribune Broadcasting), Steve Gable (chief technology officer), Russ Gilbert (vice president/digital innovation) and Special Consultant Roy Laughlin. Sam Zell owned Jacor Communications and Randy Michaels, Tribune chief operating officer, ran the media corporation from 1993 to 1999.

During that time, Michaels and his Jacor warriors dominated radio by having the best-programmed and highly-rated stations, and built Jacor into a vastly-valued and widely-respected company by focusing on its audience, employees and investors. Michaels became chief executive officer of Clear Channel Radio when it acquired Jacor in 1999; the transaction provided a healthy profit for Jacor’s shareholders.

"When I hear Chase, Compton, and now Jana Gavin referred to as ‘Clear Channel’ people, I laugh. Media veterans know they are Jacor!" said Kim Johnson, Tribune Interactive’s senior vice president/local sales (who never worked for Jacor, but wishes she did). "Jacor people are known for being fierce competitors and playing to win, so teaming up with the great staff already at Tribune gives us a significant leg up on the rest of the market. Sales people know it’s easier to sell media products with the largest and most-loyal audiences. And Jana knows how to make the cash register ring from her time at Jacor as vice president/non-traditional revenue, where she was responsible for an $85 million annual budget."

Gavin’s appointment is effective immediately. She will be based in Columbus, Ohio.

Memo to Tribune employees from CAO Gerry Spector

2008-07-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

Memo to Tribune employees from chief administration officer Gerry Spector

Post-it notes, pens, notepads, files, folders… Did you know that Tribune spends about $3.5 million with OfficeMax on more than 10,000 types of office supplies each year? While office supplies may sound like small potatoes, it’s an area where everyone can contribute to the companywide effort to control expenses.

Beginning June 30, the number of items you can buy from OfficeMax will be reduced from 35,000 items to 1,000, all sold to Tribune at significant discounts. We’ll have about 250 best value items that will increase our savings even further. Making these changes will increase our buying power and help us save about $500,000 annually. (Not bad for toner, pens and notepads.)

But don’t worry, we’ll still offer a product mix that meets everyone’s needs. For example — when you wrote that memo last year asking your cube-mate to return your troll collection, you had 1,400 pen/pencil options from which to choose. Did you really need 1,400 options for this? Hmmmm…not so much. Going forward there will be 48 writing tool options — plenty to give you that personal flair while also reducing costs by about $30,000 annually. And that’s just one product line.

Finally, this is not just about office supplies. As you know, paying down our debt and making interest payments are our main focus. In the current business environment, we’re doing everything we can to drive cash flow and that means watching every dollar. As you can see with office supplies, small amounts quickly add up and make a difference. I’m asking each of you to keep this in mind. Consider every area you can impact, whether it’s staying at a less expensive hotel, choosing the cheaper airfare, or deciding whether or not to make a purchase. It’s as simple as Rule #1: use your best judgment. In the end, every dollar counts.

If you have questions related specifically to office supplies, send an email to officesupplies@tribune.com, a branch of Tribune’s Finance Service Center.

Gerry [Spector]

SOURCE: Jim Romenesko

Tuesday Afternoon News

2008-07-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

Ken Reich - Father - Reporter - Blogger

Photo credit Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

LA Times Obituary - Take Back the Times
ERSNews.com: KTLA Axes 11 - Mayrav Saar
Bloggers Picnic with a Vengeance… - FrazGo
A New Low For Journalists - Under the Dome
U.S. Ad Spending Forecast Downgraded Again - Folio
Leaving the Los Angeles Times, made easy - Mack Reed
The Future of Journalism, Part I - Newspaper Death Watch
The Media Cool Kids: Never As Cool As You Think - Gawker
L.A. Times Roll of Honor, Those Who Left, 64-75 - Ken Reich
Tribune Staff told to Pinch Pennies on Office Supplies - Chicago Sun-Times

Tell Zell: In Memoriam, Ken Reich

2008-07-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

Feel free to use this image however you like. The Retch's suggestions include as a screensaver, a coffee mug design or, a personal favorite, as a massive, 200-foot high banner hung from the side of Times Mirror square.

Update: The LA Times just posted its obit on Ken. The obit says Ken's blog "advocated returning The Times to local ownership."

That's kind of like saying that Edward Abbey was not fond of developers. Ken despised what Sam Zell was doing to the LA Times. He said so repeatedly and forcefully. That his old newspaper cannot describe Ken's position forthrightly and clearly is a sad commentary on the Times' current commitment to truth telling. What editor allowed such euphemism in its coverage of one of the paper's stalwart supporters?

In Memoriam, Ken Reich

Kevin Roderick Coins New Word - DownZelling

2008-06-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

According to Kevin Roderick seven Tribune Employees at KTLA Television in Hollywood were given pink slips today.

Six employees in the marketing Department at Times Mirror Square lost their jobs last Friday, according to an anonymous source at the Los Angeles Times.

Everyone at the Los Angeles Times had anticipated a memo from David Hiller on the DownZelling, but nothing has been released for the moment.

Kenneth Reich, 70; Times reporter covered effort to win '84 Olympics for L.A.

2008-06-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, Dennis McLellan, wrote a very nice obit for our friend Ken Reich.

Click here to be redirected to the Los Angeles Times

Take Back the Times: In Loving Memory of My Dad, Ken Reich

2008-06-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

Dad with his grandchildren at the Palm Springs aerial tramway, March 1, 2008

I am deeply saddened to write that my father, Ken Reich, died early this morning at his home in Los Angeles. His passing was peaceful. His last hours were spent as he would have wished them--chatting with friends and family and posting to this blog. He sent his last email, to lifelong friends in India, at around 2 a.m., and then he went to sleep. His caregiver was unable to wake him this morning.

This was a terrible shock, although those of you who know my Dad know that he had been in failing health for several years.

When I get my thoughts together, I will write more about Dad--about what an amazing father he was, about what a committed and tenacious journalist he was, and about how, despite his many quirks, he endeared himself to literally hundreds of friends and family, from all over the world. Right now, it's all too raw for me. But I encourage people to leave their own thoughts and reminiscences on this blog. Dad would have loved that, and my brother David and I will take great comfort in reading your notes.

Dad's funeral will be on Thursday, July 3 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Sinai Hollywood Hills, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive in Los Angeles. All are welcome.

Kathy Reich

In Loving Memory of My Dad, Ken Reich

In Memory of Ken Reich

2008-06-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

The reaction in the Blogosphere has been swift over the passing of Ken Reich a writer till the end.

Ken Reich, retired Times reporter, dies - Kevin Roderick

Word at the Los Angeles Times is that retired reporter Ken Reich, 70, died in his sleep. He was found this morning. Friend and former Tom Bradley deputy mayor Anton Calleia got the word to the Times. This note was sent to other retired LAT staffers who belong to an informal group that calls itself the Old Farts Society:

Since he didn't get the chance, here's for Ken Reich:
- 30 -

Tribune’s Loyal Opposition Loses a Soldier - Paul Gillin

Veteran journalist Ken Reich, a 39-year employee of the Los Angeles Times, died in his sleep last night. He posted his final entry on Take Back the Times just hours before he died. Reich retired from the Times four years ago and almost immediately began blogging. His blog was notable for its fine writing, its insight into the inner workings of the paper and its withering criticism of Tribune Co. management. Reich was a friend to executives and pressmen alike and his voice of loyal opposition will be missed.

His daughter, Kathy, is asking visitors to Take Back the Times to share their memories and condolences.

Former Times reporter Ken Reich dies - Jesus Sanchez

Reich worked at the paper for more than three decades and served as The Times' main reporter covering the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Reich died in his sleep last night, according to close friend Anton Calleia.

While he retired in 2004, Reich remained very much interested in the goings-ons at the paper and maintained a blog, Take Back The Times, that was highly critical of Times' management and ongoing changes.

Ken Reich Dies In His Sleep - Mayrav Saar

FBLA was saddened to learn (via LA Observed) about the passing of Ken Reich. We hadn't known the former LAT reporter well, but he was definitely one of the nicer long-time staffers at the paper while we were there. And we were fans of his blog. He'll be missed.

Ken Reich - Rick Orlov

Former Los Angeles Times staffer Kenneth Reich, one of the unique characters of the Los Angeles news scene, has died. He was 70.Reich was one of those characters who, once you met him, you never forgot.He was passionate about his stories and his beliefs. He would lecture politicians _ he said privately and for their own good _ and then write stories about how they had reversed course when they followed his advice.

Ken Reich:Turn the Rules - Tell Zell

Word is spreading fast that ex-LATimer and blogger Ken Reich has died. What's extraordinary is that he apparently spent his last hours protesting what Sam Zell and the Tribune have done to the LA Times.

Ken Reich, A Final Farewell - Kanani Fong

This is the biography Los Angeles Times Journalist Ken Reich wrote about himself on his blog, Take Back The Times.

Ken Reich Rest In Peace - 30 -

2008-06-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ken Reich with the Blogging Pressman Edward

Just when I thought my mood could ebb no lower I read that my friend Ken Reich has passed, on LAObserved. Ken was very kind to the pressmen, and even attended two of our dinners, giving the men an insight into the inner workings of the Los Angeles Times. He would answer the questions the men would ask and would not allow us to pay for his dinner or taxi expenses, he was honored to be in demand.

Ken did not hold his opinions of Tribune executives, and felt most Tribune Company executives should be sent packing. Ken will be sorely missed in the Blogosphere and by all his friends and family.

Here’s what Kevin Roderick said on his blog:

Word at the Los Angeles Times is that retired reporter Ken Reich died in
his sleep last night. He was found by a friend, former Tom Bradley deputy mayor
Anton Calleia. This note was sent to other retired staffers who belong to an
informal group that calls itself the Old Farts Society:

Dear OFS Members:

Sad news. Anton Calleia, a close friend of Ken Reich and a fellow
OFS member, sent me an e-mail this morning saying that Ken died in his sleep
last night. Ken was a retired staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. In his
three-plus decades with the newspaper, Ken covered City Hall, wrote a column and was a lead reporter on the 1984 L.A. Olympics coverage.

Those of you who attended last Wednesday's OFS luncheon noticed that
Ken arrived and left in a wheelchair, the result of a defibrillator episode he
experienced on the last two days of his recent weeks-long cruise around
Africa.

The Los Angeles Times obituary desk has been notified of Ken's
passing. Funeral details will be sent to OFS members when they become
available.

Reich had been a Times political writer in the 1970s and '80s. He has been
blogging at Take Back the Times and posted his final entry at 12:20
this morning — asking the question whether the Times will survive the Sam Zell
regime.

Reich's last line:

This is a bad time in the newspaper business, as it is, economically for the country in so many ways. But, I fully believe, brighter days will come, and we must do what we can to insure that they do."

Since he didn't get the chance, here's for Ken Reich:

- 30 -

Lee Abrams' June 30 blog post

2008-06-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

The latest from Tribune chief innovation officer Lee Abrams

THINK PIECE: THE ZONE BETWEEN TOO SUPERFICIAL & TOO SERIOUS

The economic realities are a pain. But they are realities. What is MORE painful is the reporting that the relaunches and re thinks are because of that. Yes, economics are a component, but it' more about getting AHEAD of the competitive curve and getting back in the game, in a BIG way. You can't dwell on the economics...it is what it is...and it's even worse in the music business. (Though I rarely see artists complaining) What we CAN do is dwell on the once in a lifetime opportunity and green light to re-think what we do. To design the future. With that said....

Visited Channel 5 out in San Diego who is doing their own re-launch. Other than contributing to the re-making of WGN-AMERICA, I've been focusing primarily on the newspaper side in my first 60 days, so this visit was a nice change of pace. The competitive spirit was a bit closer to what I've experienced on the radio and music side...let's call it---Intense. Personally and generally speaking I think our company deals with extremes. TV strikes me as often playfully superficial and newspapers often serious and self important. Somewhere in the middle is
a zone that balances intelligent with the ability to engage the masses in 2008. Channel 5 in San Diego is certainly headed to that zone with some fascinating new approaches to local news. I believe they will reach that "zone". The media landscape has changed so dramatically in the past decade that staying on the either superficial or too-serious-for-the-room edges can spell trouble. But reaching that zone that balances intelligence with accessibility will be magic.

One newspaper clearly headed to that zone is the Baltimore Sun. Once again, they were very impressive with how they have evolved their re-launch prototypes. Some of the aspects I really liked included:

Continue reading at Poynter Online

Monday Morning News

2008-06-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

Olympic Pressmen Lance, Matt, and Jesus

Layoffs by the Bay - Gary Scott
A Heaping Helping of Zell - Paul Gillin
Go Down in Flames, Hack!* - Tell Zell
'Book of Tribune damnation' - Kevin Roderick
Can L.A. Times Survive Zell, Michaels, Hiller? - Ken Reich
L.A. Times Roll of Honor, Those Who Left, 51-63 - Ken Reich
Bill Clinton to Barack Obama: 'Kiss My Ass' - Electronic Village
Publisher Denise Ivey to leave Courier-Journal - Courier-Journal
Hewlett Packard Inkjet Web Press For Newspapers - Meta Printer
Monrovia: a loose grenade or a loose cannon Saturday afternoon? - FrazGo