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PC World Editor Returns, CEO Demoted

Posted by Zonk on from the nice-guys-don't-have-to-finish-last dept.

k1980pc writes "In a nice twist to the recent discussion on Slashdot, PC World editor Harry McCracken has returned to the magazine. In turn, Colin Crawford has been removed as PC World's CEO, where 'he will be responsible for driving IDG's online strategy and initiatives in support of our web-centric business focus' ... safely out of the way of the magazine editors. McCracken was pleased to return to his position: 'I'm thrilled to be back with the PC World team. IDG is a company I've loved working for over the past 16 years, and one with a remarkable history of enabling editors to serve our customers--the millions of people who depend on our content online and in print.'"

14 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. and the obvious question is... by DriveDog · · Score: 5, Insightful

    why wasn't Crawford removed from IDG's employ, period?

    1. Re:and the obvious question is... by badasscat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      why wasn't Crawford removed from IDG's employ, period?

      So your argument is that experienced, generally skilled employees should be fired after their first mistake?

      Glad you're not a boss at my company... you'd be boss of an empty building pretty quick.

    2. Re:and the obvious question is... by sqlrob · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If the first mistake was to destroy the company's reputation or do something take down every server, damn straight I'd expect an employee to be fired.

    3. Re:and the obvious question is... by queenb**ch · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I have to second this. It's not about removing someone for "making a mistake." It's about recognizing unscrupulous and unethical behavior and removing that type of person from a position of power and influence in your organization. Keeping him in an equally important and probably well paid spot sends a dangerous message to the rest of the staff at IDG. "You can sell out all you want. If you get busted the only thing you'll get is a new job title."

      I don't know about you, but I were running what I wanted to be a well respected publication, he'd have been gone so quick he'd have left a hole in the air in his office. Not just tastefully reassigned to another place with out any real punishment for his actions.

      2 cents,

      Queen B.

      --
      HDGary secures my bank :/
    4. Re:and the obvious question is... by isdnip · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's not clear what role he will really have. These "strategic" positions may be important, or they may be what we used to call "special projects". That was the term used at a certain large company I once worked for... when a manager was relieved of his duty. These senior-level guys don't get fired. It never happens. Their "special project" typically means being quietly invited to find a new job elsewhere.

    5. Re:and the obvious question is... by LWATCDR · · Score: 2, Insightful

      He is a CEO he gets the big bucks so mistakes are not tolerated.
      Besides he made more than one mistake.
      1. To suggest slanting reviews to favor advertisers.
      2. Not listening to his editors when they said that was a mistake.
      3. To not back down when an editor said he was going to resign if the policy was not changed.
      4. Not seeing the backlash if the reason for the editor resigning was made public.
      5. Not understanding about this thing called the Internet and blogs. If he had then he would know that it would be made public.
      6. Not finding a way to cover it all up and make nice with the editor.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    6. Re:and the obvious question is... by Bastard+of+Subhumani · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Hell yes. If someone's paid X times what a grunt worker is he damn well ought to be X times as good. If a big salary isn't justified by big responsibility, what is it justified by - nice hair?

      --
      Only three things are certain; death, taxes, and apocryphal quotations - Ben Franklin.
    7. Re:and the obvious question is... by Bloke+down+the+pub · · Score: 2, Insightful

      His job was to bring in the most amount of money possible to his company from his customers.
      For the benefit of a poor oik what clearly don't have a top-notch MBA like what you has, can you explain how driving the readership down by destroying the mag's credibility achieves that goal?

      The customers are his advertisers.
      The readers aren't? Even accepting your assertion, aren't advertising rates roughly proportional to the circulation/readership?
      --
      It's true I tell you, feller at work's next door neighbour read it in the paper.
  2. Score one for the good guys by gyranthir · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Integrity on the Product Review space is hard to find at any time. I think PC World did a good thing to bring this guy back.

  3. what a pleasant surprise by KarmaOverDogma · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's nice to see that, every once in a while, companies see the value of an honest opinion having *some* parity with the advertising dollar.

    maybe other will follow this positive example, from time to time.

    --
    uR iGn0ranc3, Their Power
  4. Re:Take a bow, Slashdot, you probably influence th by Timesprout · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Nice to see that magazine do the right thing and restore some of their integrity.
    At a guess I would say this has very little to do with integrity or Slashdot and more to do with Mr McCrackens laywers threatening to bitch slap them with a suit for unfair dismissal. The former CEO would appear to have foolishly overstepped his authority in this matter and raised questions PC World really don't want to have to explain in any detail.
    --
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    What truth?
    There is no dupe
  5. Re:This practice is alarmingly common by clickclickdrone · · Score: 4, Insightful

    >It's very common.
    Thankfully, not everywhere. Every editor I've worked with (UK) has known exactly where advertising and Editorial meet i.e. they don't. Most eds won't talk to the advertising department period to ensure whatever they print is the truth and not biased by some compnay threatening to pull ad revenue.

    --
    I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
  6. This isn't a censorship issue by DECS · · Score: 3, Insightful

    McCracken had an editorial debate with his manager. The debate was over a pile of made-for-Digg crap stories that were complete rubbish, not over some withholding of investigative journalism due to outside advertiser pressure.

    All it proves is that IDG is desperate, McCracken really enjoys publishing "fluff" (as one staffer descirbed the articles in question), and that IDG's fortunes don't come from breaking news or informing readers but rather in manipulating Digg throngs with its sensationalist headlines slapped on non-content garbage. What a great business plan to pursue. I'm sure that will reward the company richly in the future.

    Great job McCracken, you now have the capacity to make IDG's magazines worse. Any cred you deserved for walking out has now vaporized.

    Harry McCracken and the Apple Censorship Myth

  7. "people who depend on our content " by Anomalyst · · Score: 2, Insightful

    What kind of femtocortex would depend on PC World for anything?
    Can you say "overblown sense of self-importance"?
    Maybe it is a reasonable resource, (haven't read the rag in years, even so it was far outclassed by BYTE) I would not recommned its use as the sole basis for any PC decision.

    --
    There is no right to feel safe thru security vaudeville at the expense of everyone's freedom, privacy and tax money.