Saturday, May 31, 2008

Best and Worst Companies to Work For

One of the reasons I do this blog is to share information. Today, I'd like to start a discussion on the broadcast companies out there - who's good to work for? who's a pain?

Now, I'm not looking for a bunch of axe-grinding comments here... I think we should keep this as professional as possible. I encourage you all to comment below about the companies you've worked for. From how they run their news departments to how they support/nurture their employees... anything a person may find important if considering working for these companies. From resources to quality of work - what do you know that could help others?

The comment feature allows you to post annonymously - so please feel free to do so if you feel inclined. I'd like to hear the bad AND the good. Lets use this forum to educate others.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe a couple more companies to add to list: Cox, Tribune, Raycom, Sinclair and Gannett.

IDOPROMOZ said...

I thought about that Scooterbucs - but I'd never be able to hit them all.

That's what I was hoping this section would be for - people to respond with their thoughts.

So far - no takers! Come on -- its anonymous! Go ahead - spill it folks!

Anonymous said...

I'll make the first leap.. Gannett. I've been at 2 different stations in their group for over 10years and don't really a strong feeling one way or the other towards the company.

Am I disappointed the stock is plummeting because of the newspaper division's woes? Sure. Is it dis-heartening to see cuts in staffing? Yes. If those problems were unique to Gannett, you better believe I'd be trying like crazy to leave.

I think it's a decent company. Upper management doesn't really meddle in what we do but they're giving our web folks fits over web design. The biggest problem I have with Gannett is that they are slow to embrace new technology or ideas. We've pitched several ideas only to have them dismissed and then see the competition do it.

Benefits are okay and though the salary is less than what I could make across the street or in a similar role in another market, I like the people I work for and with. That's what most important to me because they have a daily and direct impact on my job.

Anonymous said...

I'll say the Fox station I worked for was good towards their employees. They rewarded the good workers well. The benefits were excellent.

Anonymous said...

I worked for Belo before and found them to be pretty good. The promotions departments were left alone and many of their news departments are top notch. No corporate marketing head and no corporate graphics package to deal with. Creativity was highly encouraged.

Negatives could include pay and layoffs - but I always liked the company. They have the same flaws as all the others - but the Belo Reels always showed some great work(especially KING, WFAA, KHOU)

Anonymous said...

Ever heard of Nexstar (you may have heard them referred to as "Deathstar"?. That company's all about the money - what it can squeeze out of selling news segments as commercials or cutting back funds for station Christmas parties. Their company initiatives (the "community portal" websites, the green initiative, etc.) are all half-baked ideas engineered to squeeze a few bucks out of clients and leave the employees scrambling when no one bites.

They never put money in long term goals: no employee retention, not even decent equipment upgrades.

And they really shot themselves in the foot when they got rid of Mr. Paul Greeley. He was not only the best guy to work with from corporate, he was also one of the best promotions guys I've ever met and a great guy in general.

I was lucky enough to work in a sort of bubble where the promo team was able to try new things with little hassle. But the shadow of corporate greed loomed over everything.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

Anonymous said...

About to head to my second Gannett station after two years in a small market... I've drank the kool-aid I suppose. I've seen people move up and groomed through the gannett ladder and I always can find out what's going on in sales, news or corporate just by sending an email or making a phone call... All together a very open company that appreciates it's employees.
I also worked at a station that was bought by Raycom a few years back... First thing they did was mess with the pay and cut benies... Never encouragement to look inside the company for a new gig. That station in particular - wasen't very open with employees about the company or station moves. (kind of like on line email/don't ask any questions mentality)
Gannett Rocks!

Anonymous said...

left the industry after working for a control freak, corporate kissass at a Scripps station. Be weary when the turnaround on producers is high. make sure to ask others at station about how happy people were with boss.

Anonymous said...

Don't work for Florida Hospital. They are horrible!!!! If you have a problem they will sweep it under the rug. If the government gets involved you get paid off....

Anonymous said...

I had a bad experience with this comnpany in new york called transperfect translations, they have the worst benefits, and if they laid you off, they don't even pay you your vacation, anybody who's looking for job don't even think of getting a job in this company.

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