Gannett offers 160 buyouts in NJ as ad revenue declines

TRENTON, N.J.—Gannett Co. Inc. on Friday said it was offering buyouts to a total of 160 workers at five of its six New Jersey newspapers, as advertising revenues decline.

The buyouts were offered to employees over age 55 who have at least 15 years of service with the company, said Judi Dorsey, vice president for human resources at the Asbury Park Press, Gannett's flagship paper in the state.

The newspapers included are the Asbury Park Press of Neptune, Courier-Post of Cherry Hill, Home News Tribune of East Brunswick, Courier News of Bridgewater and Daily Journal of Vineland. Gannett's sixth paper in the state, the Daily Record of Morristown, is not affected.

"There's a smattering of all different types of positions throughout the organization" affected, Dorsey said. That could include reporters, editors, pressroom workers, salespeople, managers and administrators, she said.

The 160 employees targeted were asked to respond to the offer by the end of next week. Layoffs are possible if not enough buyouts are accepted, Dorsey said.

Thomas Donovan, president and publisher of the Asbury Park Press and vice president of Gannett's East Newspaper Group, said economic conditions prompted the move.

"The economy continues to struggle, and as a result our advertising revenues have fallen well short of expectations," he said in a statement.

Dorsey would not discuss whether declining circulation, a continuing problem at most U.S. newspapers, was a factor as well.

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