Best Business Commentary

Sam Zell “got the keys” to Tribune Co. yesterday, but “does he have any idea what he’s doing?” says Louis Hau in Forbes.com. “If you thought the discounts were big before Christmas, just wait until Dec. 26th,” says Suzanne Kapner in CNNMoney.com.

Zell behind the wheel, driving blind?

Sam Zell “got the keys” to Tribune Co. yesterday, but “does he have any idea what he’s doing?” says Louis Hau in Forbes.com. The newspaper business is “tanking,” and not even its “brightest minds” have found ways to “staunch hemorrhaging losses in advertising revenue and print circulation.” Zell wants to increase revenue rather than cut overhead. But with a “staggering $13 billion” in debt, he’ll have to resort to “buyouts and layoffs,” outsource work, shrink circulation, and sell assets. He probably doesn’t have a specific plan, but look for the “maverick” Zell to “try just about anything to drum up business,” and fast. “Fasten your seatbelts.”

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us