Layoffs, changes at Crain’s
Wednesday, Nov 16, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Robert Feder…
Business must be bad even for Crain’s Chicago Business: Three newsroom positions were eliminated Monday at the privately-owned weekly business publication and website. Forced out in the cost-cutting move were two assistant managing editors — Tom Corfman, who led coverage of government and politics, and Craig Newman, who headed daily news and digital operations. Corfman first joined Crain’s in 1997 and returned in 2006 after six years at the Chicago Tribune. Newman was managing editor of the Sun-Times before joining Crain’s last March. Also laid off was copy editor Richard Skews, who signed on last February after 35 years at Advertising Age.
Cartoonist Roger Schillerstrom also got the ax.
Tom Corfman was my editor. I think the world of the guy. He’s made me a better writer, but he’s also been a reliable personal sounding board.
Man, is he ever gonna be missed. I have his resume if you’re interested in hiring him.
* And then this…
Those folks helped bring my column to Crain’s after the Sun-Times and I parted ways.
* Crain’s today…
The two top executives of Crain’s Chicago Business—Publisher David Snyder and Associate Publisher Lisa Emerick—are leaving over a split with the owners of the parent company on the publication’s growth strategy.
Snyder and Emerick, both longtime employees of Crain’s, will stay on through year-end to help KC Crain, executive vice president and director of operations at Crain Communications, with the transition to new leadership. Editorial operations of Crain’s Chicago Business will continue to be run by Editor Michael Arndt. […]
The company does not break out results for its individual titles, but KC Crain told the Crain’s staff today that the publication is solidly profitable. Separately, Snyder said Crain’s has been profitable every year within a few years of its launch in 1978, including the Great Recession.
Snyder, 55, has been with Crain’s his entire career, starting as a researcher in its Washington, D.C., bureau a week after he graduated from college in 1983. He moved to the Chicago office in 1984. He was an award-winning reporter and editor from 1993 to 2000, when he was promoted to associate publisher. He was named publisher in 2010 and a vice president of Crain Communications the next year.
“I could not have asked for a more exciting or fulfilling career than the one I’ve had at Crain’s over the past 33 years—I literally grew up with the publication,” said Snyder. “But in business, like in life, reasonable people can disagree.
I talked to Arndt yesterday and I still have a column there. So, that’s a relief.
I wasn’t sure at first if I’d be a good fit at the publication, but I’ve been nothing but pleased with the way things have turned out. It’s a fantastic magazine and I’m proud to be a tiny part of it.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 10:21 am:
I guess Lillyput got Internet and Glum found Rich’s blog(?)
To the Post,
The ever-changing and evolving media platforms of Internet-based, or print based media are still trying to find an equilibrium at the cost of some incredibly talented people losing their place, but the public maybe losing out most.
All the best to Crain’s and those displaced.
- SAP - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 10:25 am:
I really enjoyed Corfman’s Crains on Politics email newsletter thingy. The Adieu message yesterday surprised me considering that the Monday newsletter ended with the customary solicitation to have your friends and family sign of for the newsletter.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 10:45 am:
Layoffs? What kind of collectivists are these?
- Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 11:17 am:
In the 1970’s the only non-print access to business news was “Wall Street Week” on PBS. It was only a 1/2 hour show and was rebroadcast on Sunday morning.
Incredible to think of all the online content now available just for business news.
Scariest part is when I ask 20 year olds where they get their news, the answer is “Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit.”
Hold on, I think the changes in media content and delivery will only come faster.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 11:54 am:
Always sad to see good people let go. Bad timing, as well.
I subscribed to Crain’s for the first time this year and won’t be renewing. Delivery of the home edition is sketchy, but the various digital products almost never recognize me as a subscriber and I have to start over logging in maybe 3x/day.
Good luck to those staying behind.
- Moist von Lipwig - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 12:44 pm:
It was such a shock to see yesterday’s Crain’s Politics newsletter, which abruptly announced that the previous day’s was the last. Corfman’s good humor and political insight was a reaving and enjoyable part of my morning.
- Moist von Lipwig - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 12:44 pm:
*revealing!!
- ChicagoVinny - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 12:49 pm:
I look forward to the rebrand as “cranc” /s
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
Tom Corfman is great. A lovely guy. I learned this when I wrote to him complaining about a headline. He said he didn’t write the headline (which I knew) but that he acknowledged the problem and that he thanked me for helping to “keep him honest.” Can’t say enough good things about him.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 1:13 pm:
I’m sad to hear this. The erosion of good journalism is an assault on our first amendment rights. All because it’s not profitable anymore. It’s not about journalism. It’s about profit now.
- David - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 1:47 pm:
You can get more from Yahoo finance than you used to get at a brokerage firm. I would focus on their lists.Those sort of things do well in print too.
- up2now - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 1:48 pm:
I worked in newspapers for 38 years. Some day I will take my grandchildren to a museum somewhere and show them what (print) journalism was.
- NorthsideNomore - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:24 pm:
Lot of media orgs have had deep cuts in staff over the past 7years …not sure what they have had to do in the past still tough loss for good group
- Southside Markie - Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:23 pm:
I’ve known David Snyder since his DC days. He is a wonderful guy, a talented writer and executive and a class act. And one that will be scooped up by another media outlet quickly.
- Deft Wing - Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:04 am:
Not surprising because it’s a gossip rag.