News Corp hits ‘reply all’ over methode
Keen observers of the media space will know that the hacks over at News Limited, sorry News Corp Australia, haven’t been all too thrilled about the new $60m Methode system.
Methode was meant to be a streamlined publishing system, across both print and online, but it continues to cause friction – as evidenced by the genesis of this remarkable email chain, a simple memo to users that updates to the system were being rolled back because they were causing issues.
Dr Mumbo wonders if part the problem is that some of News’ employees may not be as technologically gifted as some, as evidenced by many hitting “reply all” in response to company wide emails?
Exhibit A: yesterday’s email exchange which went to more than 1,000 employees who have so far been trained in Methode…
The trouble began with an email to all Methode users from Peter Judd, former digital editor of the Tele, who is now heading up the implementation of the system:
A journalist at the Herald Weekly Times Adrian Ballantyne then decided to let everyone know that his Methode was no longer working…
Cue a few other people joining the conversation and talking about the issues with Methode and some of the website promos.
It’s at this point the 1,000 other people involved in the conversation ask to be removed from the email chain…
While the email chains vary the one sent to Dr Mumbo begins with Jenny Young, account manager at The Australian, who politely points out there is actually another Jenni Young in the company who may be missing out on these gems of information.
Enter Milan Cuk national features, news producer with News Corp in Brisbane, explaining the problem and how: “Yes, there are many people receiving these emails who have nothing to do with the issue! For the life of me, I don’t know why.”
And Angie Simms who apparently doesn’t even work for the company anymore… (Does someone in HR maybe want to switch off her company email?)
HWT news producer Lance Dodd now enters with a explanation that if you have a Methode problem maybe you shouldn’t email 1,000 colleagues.
Back to Brisbane, Courier Mail engagement editor David Earley warns his colleagues about how when you email a thousand plus people there is a the possibility that the email chain could get out…
At this point the Daily Telegraph’s gossip columnist Annette Sharp joins the conversation from Sydney asking: “Is this a genius moral building exercise? I think it might just be working….”
Cumberland newspaper training editor Steve Stickney then informs the employees of News that he needs a waterbottle for his pet turtle (we presume this must be code for something.)
To Canberra where Telegraph political editor Simon Benson responds:
And then Jordan Harbinson signals perhaps it might be time to stop…
Outstanding.
Well we have learned that Annette Sharp can’t spell morale.
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This banter avoids the real issue that Method is a $60 million piece of poop that is slow, often inoperable and driving users to despair.
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@ Billy C… Its news…Im pretty sure that they require a moral building exercise more than morale.
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Methode is the biggest waste of time. “Less wrangling with technology, more time for journalism: spruiks Read. ….. errr……… I think that statement is incorrect. Who has time for journalism with that clunky piece of shit?
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I like Turtles
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Well I work for News Corp Australia and love it. so there
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The preoccupation with rubbish like this is one of the reason News’s circulation figures are sinking like the Titanic.
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Awesome yarn… Does anyone remember a similar gaff after mumbrella marketing course?
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Touche…….
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