Ax Swings at ABC News
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More than a few people wondered in ABC boss Kim Godwin used the cuts at the network to get rid of possible threats to her job.
As Disney goes through company-wide layoffs, ABC News is one of the divisions that is seeing cuts.
When it’s all done, about 50 people will have been pink-slipped at ABC News and a number of those were part of Godwin’s senior leadership team. Some of those whacked include senior vp newsgathering Wendy Fisher; senior vp talent Galen Gordon; vp talent Mary Noonan; vp corporate communications Alison Rudnick; senior executive producer Chris Vlasto; executive editorial producer Heather Riley; and Los Angeles bureau chief David Herndon.
Some ABC staffers are wondering if Godwin used the cuts to people that she saw as a threat to her job.
“She bounced the people that were better than her at doing their jobs,” said one ABC staffer to FTVLive.
Disney is expected to cut around 7,000 jobs in the next few weeks.
The cuts so far at ABC News basically wipe out the talent department at the network.
Here is Godwin’s memo to the staff about the cuts.
Colleagues,
Throughout the company, teams are being impacted by the downsizing that was announced several weeks ago, including our own ABC News family. While these actions are never easy, they are a necessary step to ensure we’re on solid footing for the years ahead as we chart a sustainable, growth-oriented path forward for the entire organization.
While this is a difficult time for all of us – particularly those directly affected by these tough decisions – it’s important to remember that together, we are resilient, and will emerge from this period of transition stronger than before.
To that end, I’d like to share some key changes to our structure:
Katie den Daas, who has been leading our London bureau, will now be vice president of Newsgathering, overseeing the domestic and international teams, including bureaus worldwide, the desks, and NewsOne. Reporting into Katie will be Michael Kreisel, who will manage the domestic bureau chiefs (except for the DC bureau) and NewsOne, which will continue to be headed by Al Prieto; Jonathan Greenberger, who will lead the DC bureau and political coverage; and Kirit Radia, who will oversee the London bureau, all other international bureaus and teams worldwide. In the coming weeks, Katie will transition from London to New York, and we will name a new London bureau chief soon.
Effective immediately, our Business and Operations team will expand to include Talent Strategy, Production Operations, Business Operations and Business Affairs. All will report to Derek Medina, EVP, ABC News.
Our investigative and enterprise reporting units, which include Medical, Business, and Climate, will join the linear shows and Special Events, reporting to Stacia Deshishku, executive editor and SVP of News. Additionally, ABC’s extensive bookings resources will now roll up to Stacia.
Like you, I have come to trust and rely on the expertise and dedication of Katie, Derek, and Stacia, and I am grateful to count them among my senior leaders. All other reporting lines will remain the same.
In the coming days and weeks, we will share additional information about these teams and our plans.
Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the work and legacy of our departing staff members. Not only are they our colleagues, they’re also our friends who will always be a part of the proud history of this esteemed organization. On behalf of the entire ABC News family, thank you for your service and professionalism.
We are truly privileged to work alongside so many smart, talented, and creative people. This is a team like no other – and it’s because of you that ABC News is #1.
Kim
