Sam Zell reportedly made a trip to one of his new (awaiting FCC approval) Tribune properties at the LA Times. Despite Times Publisher David Hiller’s attempt to make Zell seem as fuzzy as possible, other accounts contend that Zell tore the Times a new one.
Among Zell’s alleged “constructive criticisms” of the LA Times:
-It has a crap business section
-Its reporting is not guided by popular demand
-It lacks a focus on foreign coverage
-Called the idea that front-page ads compromise the integrity of the paper a crock of shit
-Said that the paper was pretty bland in general
Hiller’s memo provided a laundry list of Zell-isms and Zell advice, designed to summarize a videoed Q&A that was posted for employee viewing (if anyone has a copy of the vid, send it or a link over to tips at dealbreaker dot com). Some of the gems:
–“I promise you I did not come here to be captain of the Titanic”
–“My head and neck only look forward;” “I don’t really give a [ ] about the past”
–“I can’t do it” has to be eliminated from our vocabulary
–The future is up to us; Sam wants our plans not his plans; wants open, candor from us (doesn’t kill the messenger)
Hiller’s take on Sam Zell [LABizObserved]
Zell’s Big Dis [Slate]