A memo to CNN’s Atlanta domestic technical operations staff, obtained by CNN, confirms several items of news — and an insider suggests the “ax is about to fall.” The memo confirms that CNN’s 3 to 6pm programming will originate in DC. Larry King Live may also originate out of DC, according to the message from Cindy Patrick, Executive Vice President of Operations. “Some of the worst fears of the Atlanta technical staff are coming true,” an e-mailer says. Here is the memo:
| To the Atlanta Domestic Technical Operations Staff: Yesterday in Jim Walton’s Town Hall Meeting the executive management team announced a plan to originate the Monday-Friday 3-6pm CNN US programming hours out of DC. This is an exciting opportunity for CNN US to further develop and define the afternoon block and showcase some of our best reporting. This change will likely occur mid-summer. Also under consideration is originating Larry King Live out of DC. In this morning’s editorial meeting, Jon Klein announced a plan to simulcast the Monday-Friday CNNI noon program on CNN US starting in mid-June. Obviously these changes will have an impact on operations staffing and work schedules in Atlanta. While the details are still being determined, I wanted to give the technical ops team in Atlanta the benefit of early communication as this will eventually effect Atlanta staffing levels. I anticipate this will impact a handful of operations positions. Often we are able to manage staffing level changes through natural attrition — staff movement that occurs as people find their own new opportunities, hopefully within CNN/Turner. Right now we have the benefit of open operations positions in Atlanta, DC and NY.In addition, Jim indicated during yesterday’s panel that new business initiatives would be announced soon. Therefore, I encourage all of you to look at turnerjobs.com for opportunities that match your skills as well as your personal career goals. In the coming days, I will compile and circulate a list of operations positions that are currently open. And, as always, please look to your management team for any career coaching advice. These situations are bound to cause you some concern and we all (myself and the ops mgmt team) are respectful of that. Please contact me or your managers with any questions. I will continue to communicate with you as information becomes available. Respectfully, Cindy Patrick |
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