Gannett Beats Analysts’ Estimates; Weakness in Publishing, Digital Abates

Digital revenues declined slightly for Gannett in Q1, suggesting that while a recovery is not exactly in full swing, things are looking up, even for newspapers, reports paidContent.org. One of the key aspects for Gannett’s return to profitability last year was the ability to make severe cost costs, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs across its newspapers. In Q1, the company showed it could still hold the line on costs, as adjusted operating expenses declined $141.3 million or 11.3 percent. Aside from growing revenues, the big challenge for the company is being able to maintain the lower cost model over the course of this year. In addition to touting the calming of Gannett’s troubled ad waters and discussing plans to institute a subscription structure for USA Today’s iPad app, CEO Craig Dubow also promotes some other digital efforts. It’s been over a year since the launch of Gannett’s local/national web hybrid ContentOne initiative, and Dubow announced plans to create “jobs/economy portal” under that effort. The ContentOne portal will collect job advice columns, info-graphics from USAT, videos from Gannett Broadcasting and data from the CareerBuilder job search module. Dubow looks forward to joint venture with 11 other broadcast companies to set up a mobile TV network. So far, there are a number of prototypes for the mobile broadcast network that the group, which also includes Belo, Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps, Fox, Hearst Television, Media General, Meredith, NBC and others, is looking at, Duvow says. He sounded impressed by the Tivit, which works directly with the iPhone and is “about half the size of a smart phone… that works through Bluetooth.” While the Tivit is selling well in Japan, it’s only in the development stage in the U.S. It’s possible that the broadcasters group could help accelerate those efforts. Would the revenues from rich media and electronic editions tip the balance sheets? Without taking anything away from the core print business, Dubow insists that digital is already meaningful. “When you look at the portfolio we have, it goes far beyond just e-readers. I think as we have said before, we’re very proud we’re just shy of $1 billion this past year and where we were. And I think as more of these products come to the table, then it’s going to be the consumer deciding on the product quality. And I am very confident in what we have to offer and how we’re going to be able to move that forward.”

Head Butt is the Butt of Jokes and Ads

As the 2010 FIFA World Cup starts tomorrow, talk of the most remembered moment of the 2006 World Cup — or, perhaps, any World Cup, for that matter — was sure to return in a cloud of jokes and ad campaigns. So it should come as no surprise that an online betting company used the Zinedine Zidane's head butt on Marco Materazzi in the tournament's final match four years ago as the basis for a series of ads promoting its World Cup services.

Adidas is launching an ad campaign for its F50i football boot, and begins with this TV and cinema spot (directed by Rupert Sanders) which introduces the graphic novel style that runs throughout the whole campaign. The spot stars the ever-enigmatic Zidane as a mysterious storyteller in search of the perfect football team. Zidane's journey begins in Buenos Aires, where he seeks out the Barcelona FC player Lionel Messi, aka The Spark, and reveals the story behind Messi's alter ego. The graphic novel look also appears in the posters for the campaign. Further content accompanying will be released online at adidas.com/football over the summer.

Watch your Mouth with a Reporter

An interview with a reporter can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you have never done it before, writes Shannon Cherry, a well known publicist. But even experienced interviewees sometimes make a flub here and there – even the president of the United States. It was leaked by ABC News Anchor Terry Moran on Twitter that President Obama called Kanye West a jackass. Sure, the news professional was wrong not honoring an off the record comment but the seasoned interviewee should have known better. But just in case he’s reading this, here’s a rundown of the do’s and don’ts when dealing with the press. The No-No’s • Giving gifts: Don’t try to persuade reporters by promising or offering gifts for coverage or favorable coverage in a story they’re already doing. It will probably result in negative coverage in light of your failed attempt. • Off the record: Don’t say anything you do not want to see or hear later. Even if you tell the reporter the information is off the record, you would be a fool to think it couldn’t end up in the paper. Reporters have other sources and can use your tip to get one of them to talk instead. • You’ll see it when you see it: Don’t ask the reporter to show you the story before it prints. This can be considered offensive and counterproductive for journalists. How would you feel if someone asked you to look over your work before it was done? It’s just not nice. Yes, Yes! • I don’t know: You don’t know everything. A reporter knows this and will understand if you don’t have an answer to his or her questions. A good practice though, is to say you will find out the answer and get back to them, and actually do it. If you say you’ll do it and don’t, you’ve earned a spot on the no-no list. • Murphy’s Law says tell the truth: This is common sense rule that often goes overlooked. If you lie to make yourself look good now, it could definitely hurt you later when you are caught. Don’t cause an unnecessary crisis. • Be prepared: In advance, brainstorm some possible questions you are expecting to be asked and be ready to answer them. If you are asked a question you aren’t prepared for, it is fine to ask for a minute to think about it. It is better to take a minute than answer a question hastily and forget your message or point you are trying to make with the interview.