Image by purpleslog via FlickrHow much does North Jersey Media Group pay President and Publisher Stephen A. Borg, son of company patriarch Malcolm A. "Mac" Borg?
How much does NJMG pay Editor Frank Scandale, who was promoted to vice president -- after Stephen Borg repudiated many of Scandale's news policies? How much does Stephen Borg's assistant publisher, Mala Lawrence, make? What about Features Director Barbara Jaeger, who hounded many of her most experienced staffers out of her department?
The better question is how much are they really worth, and did anyone of them take a salary cut during a company downsizing that included lower salaries for many new positions or unilateral cuts of as much as $10,000 for veteran newsroom workers?
$40,000 ceiling
$40,000 ceiling
Recall Stephen Borg's statement -- overheard by a sports reporter -- that his goal was a newsroom where no one made more than $40,000. Obviously, he wasn't talking about the editors.
Stephen Borg called Scandale's initiative on news and gossip to attract 20-year-old readers "a failed strategy." Borg also started "every day" coverage of education (except during summer recess). Frank just kept asking young female reporters to lunch.
Stephen Borg folded the Food section, moved printing to Rockaway Township and decentralized news gathering -- as he licked his chops over the tens of millions he could bring in by selling 150 River St. and surrounding acres. Unfortunately, the recession put a kabosh on that plan, and Mac insisted on keeping a presence in Hackensack, even if it's only his office.
Low morale
Low morale
Scattering reporters and editors probably ended any sense of shared purpose the news staff had in Hackensack. Has moving the paper's headquarters to Woodland Park been responsible for the lack of Bergen County coverage? Only the lazy, incompetent editors can answer that one, but readers look in vain day after day for news of their towns.
The recession didn't stop Stephen from selling his $2 million home in Tenafly and buying a $3.65 million estate in the same town. As with the first house, he got a mortgage from NJMG.
So how much do Stephen, Frank, Mala and Barbara make? I know, but can't say. Their salaries were disclosed in depositions given under oath in the pretrial stage of my age-discrimination lawsuit, and anything said was covered by a confidentiality agreement. You can be sure Stephen and the editors are paid a lot more than they are worth.
'I don't know'
'I don't know'
Vice President and General Counsel Jennifer A. Borg refused to disclose her salary and other executive compensation when she was deposed nor would she say whether any of the vice presidents took a salary cut.
When Stephen was asked how much he is paid, he said he didn't know -- three times. He was prodded by my attorney until he gave an estimate. Despite his unkempt look -- messy hair and wrinkled white, open-collar shirt -- you can be sure it is a ton of money.
all irrelevent...again
ReplyDeleteI would love it if these guys would show a little humility themselves when they mention the hard times we're in and the cost cutting measures the company takes. Even if they could be full of shit, I don't recall them saying anything about taking pay cuts, scaling back personal projects or making sacrifices. Lead by example. I know some good people who were put in worse situations via cutbacks, while the fat cats get fatter.
ReplyDeleteAt least the larger companies are responsible to someone - usually stockholders. Don't know if you could say the same about NJMG.
NJMG is privately held and answers to no one. Malcolm Borg is chairman of the board. The Borgs have had a number of entities over the years, including Macomedia, Gremac and so forth. You can be sure their goal is to squeeze as much out of their employees and the company as possible -- all for their own personal gain -- and to hell with journalism.
ReplyDeleteAnd how many jobs were saved by keeping the paper rolling out? Ever ask yourself that? Keep on counting other people's money. How much is your home worth by the way? Oh and you forgot to mention the outcome of your suit... How did that work out for you, mr. Disgruntled former employee?
ReplyDeleteThe paper wasn't in the danger of closing in 2006, when Stephen Borg took over.
ReplyDeleteMy home wasn't bought with company money and no layoffs followed several months later.
The outcome of my suit and related matters are discussed in length on this blog.
Why don't you guys just shut up. So what if he makes money, all I know don't be mad at him. Be happy for him for what he has. Although you might think he's just keeping it all for himself. He's not. So why don't you guys just shut up and be quiet about what he makes and what you don't. He's a man worth many good words
ReplyDeleteIf he's a man "worth many good words," why don't you say them?
ReplyDeleteIt's clear he holds his own well-being and the well-being of his family paramount, and that workers have suffered as a result.
I received three Anonymous messages on Tuesday, one calling Stephen Borg "my great friend."
ReplyDeleteNone mentions that a few years ago, Borg fired or pushed out perhaps a dozen staffers in the newsroom with 20 to 30 years or more of service to The Record, in one case giving only a week's notice.
He's not one of those "job creators" you hear so much about. He's a "job deflator."
Oh, by the way, the three messages all said pretty much the same thing, in some cases with the same wording.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's a coincidence.
Victor, if I may ask. What did those messages say? Who would stick up for such a cruel man. I was good fraternity friends with him in college. After that I tried to reach him but he never responded..how old where you when you were "pushed out".
ReplyDeleteI was 63 and had worked at The Record for 29 years.
ReplyDeleteThe messages basically said, Look at what Stephen Borg has and look at what you have.
Are you okay? I know it's hard. Did you enjoy your years at The Record? What type of potential do you think a paper like this has?
ReplyDeleteI'm great. Yes. Most of my years as a reporter at The Record and two other newspapers were terrific.
ReplyDeleteMy years as a copy editor were less good, but I was able to hone my skills as a food writer.
The Record apparently is in better condition financially than much bigger papers.
I had my salary cut almost 4 years ago with no sign of a raise in sight. Yes, I'm in advertising. But with almost 40 years with the company I'm hanging on by a financial thread. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Stephen and crew don't care about us anymore. Hey, did anyone hear that Mala quit?
ReplyDeleteAre you referring to Mala K. Lawrence, listed on today's Editorial Page as VP/Circulation?
ReplyDeleteWasn't she Stephen Borg's assistant publisher? And wasn't Kirsten A. von Hassel in the circulation job?
Von Hassel is now listed as VP/Marketing.
News flash: Stephen and crew NEVER cared about you. You were never anything more than a means to his end.
ReplyDeleteUnless, of course, you work on The Real Housewives of (201). Different story.
Sad, but true.
ReplyDeleteHe loves (201). I remember when he boasted that he had written all the headlines for articles in one issue.
When I took a look at them, they were as dull as dishwater.