Gawker 3.0 Won't Be Anything Like Gawker 1.0, 2.0 - So Promises New Owner

Those of us who got roughed up by the earlier versions of digital gossip tabloid Gawker want to believe Meng Ru Kuok. As Variety documents, Kuok is the new owner of Gawker and he goes on the record as saying he is reinventing it. He promises it will be nothing like what went before. What he has purchased are only the trademark and domain name, not the article archive. He is operating from Singapore.

However, anyone who had followed Gawker 2.0 knows that there is a tough road ahead. The second version had neither the first version's cool nor its really pushing the envelope to the point of being shocking. 2.0 was not quite cringe, more a yawn.

That belly-flop could stick on the Gawker branding. That is unless there really is an amazing reset that gets global attention.

Another challenge for Gawker 3.0 is that this is not a good time for media. Axios reports:

"Nearly 20,000 jobs have been eliminated across the media industry this year as of October, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. That's more than six times the number of job cuts compared to 2022 so far this year."



So essentially Kuok is involved in a media startup in, well, a brutal environment. On the plus side, though, there is plenty of jobless talent out there he can hire.

Actually the whole white collar whatever is in upheaval in terms of jobs. Generative AI will trigger lots more chaos and carnage for the employment of Knowledge Workers. 

This evening in my coaching I discussed with the underemployed professional services client becoming certified in hands-on home healthcare. Since they have a four-year degree eventually there can be mobility to management. Yes, they can grab onto hope.

Not much of that elsewhere, though. On those influential professional anonymous networks the jaw-jawing is all about that amid a sustained slowdown in demand for the legal sector 1) law firms Kirkland & Ellis, Paul Hastings and Paul, Weiss are crazy busy and 2) Milbank has raised salaries and if and when other law firms with match/blow past that number. 

Meanwhile, as in all dark eras, gallows humor dominates. Big Management Consulting firm McKinsey has become a joke. However, when that nerdy niche comes down it could be among the few left standing.

Full Disclosure: For about four years Gawker 1.0 conducted a meeting every Friday to decide if I would be executed or not. When given a stay of execution what followed was intense chatter on social networks that I didn't deserve to be spared. I was not sorry to see the merry band of mischief makers overseen by Nick Denton lose their livelihood post the nuclear verdict in "Hulk Hogan v Gawker." God bless Peter Thiel who helped fund the plaintiff's case conducted brilliantly by media lawyer Charles Harder.

In most cases you have only one shot in communications. Jane Genova is a communications coach and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com) 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Harvard/Columbia Law Students Made Their Point, Davis Polk Rescinds Their Jobs

Image
"Davis Polk & Wardwell rescinded job offers to three law students at Harvard and Columbia universities after organizations they were part of made controversial statements about the Hamas attack on Israel ... they were leaders of groups that signed on to the Joint Statement from Palestine Solidarity Groups at Columbia University and the Joint Statement by Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups on the Situation in Palestine."   Bloomberg Law , October 17, 2023 Davis Polk did not provide the names of the students. Could privilege be part of the reason the students who made the statements might have been unaware of the potential for severe consequences? In the hood as well as lower middle class neighborhoods we were totally aware of the correlation of what came out of mouths and employment and even survival. I got down cold not to mouth off. Legendary were tales of what happened to those who did shoot off their mouths.  The clients of law firms could be among those who are creat
Read more

The Two Letters - Being from Ethiopia Doesn't Get Melat Kiros Off the Hook from Understanding the Implicit Employer-Employee Contract in America

  That first letter.  It had been sent from a number of law firms - ranging from Sidley Austin to Sullivan & Cromwell to Paul,Weiss - to a number of law school deans. As many interpreted that communication it seemed to contain a veiled threat that if perceived antisemitism wasn't stopped recruitment at those law schools could be. I experienced the tone and content as, well, heavy-handed. And I have said just that in public venues. But I no longer do contract communications assignments for law firms. No residual looping remains since I have changed careers.  When I did do law firm assignments, such as for Paul,Weiss, you bet, I avoided any tone or content even in non-related material which could throw shade on the clients. That's the way it goes.  Since before doing assignments for law firms I had worked full-time for the Fortune 50, from the get-go I got the "it" - no open disagreement with those who sign the check. In fact, the "approval channel" is
Read more

From Watergate Glam to Offering Buyouts to Reduce Manpower By 240: The Washington Post

It's another sad day in what had been glam.  The Washington Post announced its plan to downsize manpower throughout the organization by 240. That will start with buyouts.  CNN admitted it's not ready for the future. The Wall Street Journal has gone part pop culture to attract a younger audience. The average age of its reader is 59. We already know ABC probably will be up for sale. Establishment media is making its point: Its existence is uncertain. What could replace it could be digital apps on phones. Public relations folks will pitch their clients' stories to the apps. Or maybe PR also will go poof. Everyone will be an influencer. Data or the gut for your careers and communications? Both of course. Complimentary consultation with intuitive coach, content-creator, and Tarot reader Jane Genova (text 202-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com ).
Read more