November 7 - Martin Nisenholtz retired. Martin Nisenholtz is one of the most important people you probably never heard of. He was the Chief of Digital Operations for the New York Times Company, a company which has made it clear it intends to take newspapers digital. Yes it was all very nice, with proper recognition for the contributions Nisenoltz made to the company. (He oversaw the institution of the pay-gate for the Times that allowed it to begin collecting effectively for online access.) And yes Mr. Nisenholtz probably now has enough money to not need to work for the rest of his life if he's reasonable in his spending. But the guy's only 56. And he left without a replacement in place, which is unusual for a planned retirement.
Fast forward, December 16 - Janet Robinson retired. Another of the most important people you never heard of, Robinson was the CEO of New York Times Company since 2008. After just three years, and at the tender age of 61, likewise leaving without a replacement in place, Robinson is retiring. Granted, Robinson saw the stock price fall from the mid-30's to less than $8 per share, but if she's out because she did a terrible job then it seems odd that the company is retaining her as a consultant for a one-year fee of $4.5 million.
And today - The Times Company announced the sale of 16 local papers to Halifax Media Holdings. Don't bother trying to figure out who they are. I did and it gave me a headache. Halifax is operated by Michael Redding, Jackson Farrow, Noel Strauss, and the Rupert & Phillips Company. The Rupert & Phillips Company is operated by Michael Redding, Jackson Farrow, Noel Strauss, Halifax Media Holdings, and Halifax Media Acquisition. Halifax Media Acquisition, in turn, is operated by Michael Redding, Jackson Farrow, Noel Strauss, and Rupert & Phillips Company. See now, that right there is proof that corporations are not people: People can't be their own boss's boss.
Anyway... Eyes staying tuned to the New York Times Company. If the Head of Housekeeping retires at 50 with no replacement, everyone left standing should run. Just sayin'.
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