Is News-Press’ Surf Mag Blue Edge Wiping Out?

So is the total number of resignations and terminations now about 75? I thinks so if one counts all the freelance and community writers and other jobs that were involved but not just writers and editors, all since 7/6.

The upcoming Indy article should give an honest count of them all.

I know for a fact that Peter has always been the problem with Blue Edge. It is well known throughout the NP building that Peter, or "Purple Haze" as he was also known by, was thought of as a joke of an employee by nearly everyone at the NP. In fact, dealing with Peter was a nightmare. He was regularly disiplined for breaking company policies and if not for one person in particular sticking up for him, he would have been fired for his many mistakes long ago.

He claims there were no ads but if you look in any edition of the mag, you will find them. And, what Peter doesn't want tell you all is that HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SALES OF ADS IN BLUE EDGE.

It was a job he failed at and that led to his position and pay being cut 2 weeks ago. Now Peter is crying about how everyone was the problem with the mag. Well Peter, if you want to see the problem with Blue Edge, look in the mirror. Stop blaming others for you lack of ability and smarts. We're glad to you see go. Now maybe they can make the kids of improvements to the mag that you resisted for so long.

The above comment is really a personal attack and should be removed.

Peter did a great job with Blue Edge. He's a credible journalist and a stand up guy, and I am sure he would not go on the record with falsehoods.

All the best to the Blue Edge staff, who were putting out an admirable product considering how few resources they had to work with.

From Shotput's post, June 28, 2007 at 8:24am above:

"Now maybe they can make the *kids* of improvements to the mag that you resisted for so long."

KIds of improvement!!! Could this lead to the Kiddie Porn? Quick, call Arthur and OJ!

--virtual Van Susteren

This publication was important to the many folks in our community who love living and dancing on the blue edge.

I am grateful to you who made it possible, and I wish you well as you depart and move on from here.

Alas, this looks like another example of the wreckage wrought in our midst by the toxic incompetence of so-called "co-publishers" Whats-Her-Face and Whats-His-Name.

To Journalism 101. What about the all the personal attacks against Wendy and Arthur? I guess those are ok and shouldn't be removed. It's only when someone disagrees with those who write against the NP that someone gets upset and wants to stiffle the free expression that this blog provides. The hipocracy of the situation is laughable.

And, none of that changes the fact that Peter is the person most responsible for Blue Edge and he failed to do his job. He was demoted and that's why he left. Now he wants to blame everyone but himself. He was a joke in the NP building. Everyone thought of him as merely a fool.

Having been an employee of the N-P, I can honestly say that neither my colleagues nor I ever spoke about Mr. Ganibi as a "joke of an employee," as Shotput would suggest.

The people who know how to sell advertising aren't at the News-Press any longer. Wendy and Arthur don't know any better. They don't recognize just how bad their personnel now is.

what a bummer for the community! the news press didnt know who and what they had in front of them. i have been associated very closely with this publication in the past and its a shame to hear that it came to this. its a shame that the news press could not support a magazine that reflects a major part of the central coast's population. the staff was obviously not being backed with love and soul that this publication is about and unfortunately was bought most likely only for revenue purposes. i would love to see the mag back into the hands of a surfer and re-invented to reflect truly all the beauty of the ocean-embodied talents that lie within the central coast! best of luck to those who gave it their all!

I've had the pleasure of working with Peter and hope to do so in the future.
I look forward to seeing what Peter and Chuck come out with next. Hopefully they can get a bigger and better surf mag rolling.We definitely need one in SB.

In the meantime, I'll try not to hurl as I look at the pictorial of Arthur von Weisenberger boogie boarding at the Sandals resort in Barbados........

I'm sorry I never got to meet the staff of Blue Edge.
The last time I tried to introduce a new employee to my co-workers, my department head scowled and snapped at me.
Arrivals and departures at the News-Press aren't announced, and we have to quietly seek out newcomers if we want to introduce ourselves.
Camaraderie is discouraged.
Divide and conquer, it would seem, continues to be Wendy's strategy.

"The people who know how to sell advertising aren't at the News-Press any longer..."

Where'd they go then? If you know about these "people" then you must know that since July of 06, the veteran retail sales reps on staff are STILL THERE (Since we're clearly not talking about the lack of classified advertising in Blue Edge).

We're talking about decent, hard working individuals who have tenures longer than the list of people that Wendy is suing (that's a long list and a lot of years of NP service). They do a damn fine job and to make a comment like that Conscience...just lacks consciousness. Unless of course you've worked on the inside...then you know the quality of these people and and their work.

While we're on the subject of selling ads...Blue Edge was responsible for selling their own. Period.

Peter's a good guy yes, but that doesn't mean he was capable of performing all the duties that his position required of him...that included advertising. Just because someone has a passion for surfing doesn't mean they know how to run a surf publication.
Earthclassic: you have valid points about the significance of surf culture to the central coast population and the need for a mag to represent it. That's what B.E. seeks to do...and the mild mannered Ginibi marginally succeeded at it. He admittedly had problems with speaking in front of groups, and lacked presence in department meetings. If you're gonna come to the table as head of operations, you gotta bring something other than boardshorts. C'mon guys, you've hung out with him...he earned his nickname for a reason. R.I.P. Purple Haze.

P.S. Arthur can boogie board?

It's pretty obvious that Shotput is an ad exec at the N-P. He's just the sort of guy Wendy likes: somebody to do the dirty work without question or conscience.

Beware when somebody says "everyone" was doing something, like calling Ganibi a joke. It's hyperbolic BS, pure and simple, just more cheap character assassination from an N-P apologist.

If Ganibi was responsible for selling his own ads he was set up to fail. That's a ridiculous burden to put on a journalist trying to put out a magazine with a skeleton crew. It's also rather strange; in nearly 30 years in the business I've never heard of such an arrangement -- especially when the editor is an employee of a company that has its own ad staff.

Speaking of which, I have to wonder how much sweating the N-P's ad reps are doing. Circulation is in the toilet (I'm guessing it's way below what the last audit said, probably around 30K), and they've got to be feeling heat from their major advertisers. And now Travis is crapping where they live by going after Kristen Amyx and the chamber, which represents -- wait for it -- their advertisers! Brilliant.

Goodwillblogging is right; there are some good people left with decades of experience. I feel for them, because they deserve better than to see all they've worked for go down the toilet with Wendy's jihad against the community and her own employees. They know the N-P's a very bad joke now, and it must be painful.

Ah, but for the days when they had a real publisher, like Steve Ainsely. Those were the days ...

The SB News Press is the BIGGEST joke of a paper I have EVER seen. They treat everyone poorly...even there clients. PETE - YOU DID WELL. WE LIKED YOU AND WE HATE THE OWNERS. YOU WERE RIGHT AND WE SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR STAFF.

The only people that will hurt from this is the sb newspress.....they suck and its too bad they are owned by such a dumbass.

Here is a classic opportunity for the community to show McCaw what's up. Without wasting a minute, the ex-staff of Blue Edge should raise enough seed money for two or three issues and take the franchise away from Ampersand. I predict that every single advertiser would happily defect to a new publication. There is a window of opportunity (which admittedly seems to continue to get bigger with each passing month) for Blue Edge and others such as the Daily Sound to replace the News-Press and for local entrepreneur-journalists to supplant each of the titles in the McCaw portfolio. If the Daily Sound got properly funded, put out a 3-section edition and began limited home delivery in some key zip codes, it would very quickly be all over for the News-Press.

As an avid reader of Blue Edge and as a regular customer that advertises in the magazine, I want to express my disappointment in the way the SB News Press has handled this situation. Peter Ganibi has always been extremely professional and a wonderful asset to the Blue Edge team. Mr. Shotput has been cruel in his assessment of Mr. Ganibi and I am shocked that he would stoop to such juvenile levels. The nickname purple haze is absolutely absurd when referring to Mr. Ganibi. He was consistently dedicated to the success of the magazine and was nothing but a joy to work with. Mr. Ganibi is bright, ambitious, and incredibly talented. It in no secret that Wendy and her crew are definitely the source of the magazine’s demise… it is really sad to see the state of our community publications. We are definitely pulling our ads and hope that Chuck, Peter, Helina, and the rest of the staff will go on to do bigger and better things. Best of luck to all of you!!!

Hey Shotput, I have a feeling that you are really Arthur Von Cheeseburger. Besides, I'm not above personal attacks, you suck dick buddy. Luv Ya!

Shot Put is not Arthur Von Wiesenberger. In fact , it is the Director of Sales Steve Nakutin. He once told his staff that he was a college shot puter.

“Shotput” is the director of sales at the Santa Barbara News Press…

In response to Mr. Nakutin’s blogs:

First of all, BlueEdge magazine has been a great addition to the community. Now it seems that all the great things about the magazine have come and gone.

I would like to congratulate the three ex-employees for producing such an entertaining and brilliant publication. I will truly miss the quality of photography and editorial that you guys provided month after month.

Now lets talk about Mr. Peter Ganibi. It is sad that a grown man in an executive position has to cut down and attempt to publicly humiliate a young man that put his heart and soul into reaching out to the community. Does it make you feel better about yourself Mr. Nakutin?? Peter came out and told the exact truth about what was going on and why he had to resign. Mr. Nakutin, you came back and defended yourself in a very untruthful and distasteful manner. The community knows better than to believe your previous comments stated in your blog (Shotput).

I have been doing business with the magazine and Peter for two years now. I have never dealt with a more down to earth, caring, and honest individual. Peter’s main concern every month was getting the kids and community involved in the magazine. I will truly miss him and the crew of BlueEdge magazine

One more question Mr. Nakutin… In the last two years have the ocean community of the Central Coast and myself been dealing with “purple haze, a problem, joke of an employee, nightmare, everyone in the buildings fool” I think you need to look at yourself in the mirror… and grow up!

Shotput makes some pretty serious accusations here. I find it interesting that this person does so while hiding behind their screen name.

If Nakutin is "Shotput" then Nakutin should be fired or resign. Talk about "conduct unbecoming." Talk about a senior executive libeling a departed employee.

The wheels keep coming off Wendy's gas guzzler and she doesn't realize it. The paper is swerving into a ditch and she'll wonder what happened.

Heard that Nakutin doesn't even live close to the ocean. He doesn't "get" "living and dancing on the blue edge." Heard that he drives in everyday from somewhere in the desert or L.A., Palmdale, Valencia, someplace like that.

Like the editor. They come in every day from far out of town for our "local" newspaper.

Figures.

We are a Blue Edge advertiser and were acquired by Mr. Ganibi, who was nothing but professional and efficient to work with.

Blue Edge is a really special publication. It's got some very high quality photography and stories. It covers the local community and environmental concerns as well as interesting travel stories and local talent. And it's FREE!

We were planning a series of ads featuring the female sports personalities that represent our brand.

I've been so impressed with increasing bar of quality of the overall look of BE in the past year or two. Some really amazing covers and layouts inside.

I don't understand why a big publication like the NP with an entire sales department would not allocate someone to focus on sales for Blue Edge. You can't ask the operations manager to do sales AND run the magazine at the same time. It's very obvious why the BE staff broke under the pressure.

Everything I've heard so far from the Santa Barbara community and international press about this new entity running the NP, a publication once known for its integrity, is just awful. No wonder the whole thing seems to be falling apart piece by piece.

Donna von Hoesslin, Owner
Betty Belts / Betty B.

I'd like to add that I am, like most of you, utterly shocked at the slander I have read here on Peter Ganibi. He is nothing like that. It is obvious that this mudslinging is not based in reality and the person(s) behind it should be ashamed of themselves for stooping so low.

Donna von Hoesslin, Owner
Betty Belts / Betty B.

I supply content to Blue Edge on a regular basis. As a freelance writer and photographer I am sought after as a content provider for publications and commercial clients large and small world wide, my time is very limited. Why Blue Edge?

I grew up in Goleta and Santa Barbara. When Jim Farr and Chuck Graham decided to start the publication out of the Valley Voice office I jumped at the opportunity. Why? It is my home town, a place with family and friends who have loved and supported me through several careers. It is an opportunity to give back.

What people who are not from SB sometimes fail to comprehend, is that the place in very insular. Our town is full of the best of the best: athletes, attorneys, physicians, businesspeople, law enforcement and yes, even politicians. As a city, there is probably no place I have been with such a decent, educated populace. I travel the world non stop. They are not duped easily. There is accountability here. It is what makes SB unique from dreaded LA and why locals have a history of resisting outside influence on the community.

Historically, the News Press was always a bastion of journalistic integrity. It had the attention, respect and support of the entire community. It's integrity was such that editorial was Gospel among the community. That integrity has dissolved. It is a very sad thing on a number of levels.

I worked closely with Peter Ganibi. The man who was earlier portrayed in this post as a pot smoking mainstream stereotyped SURFER (as if surfing was a dirty avocation) is actually a retired professional polo player, horseman, and trainer (COWBOY). He happens to surf recreationally. How could someone who states that Peter was a joke to office staff not know who office staff IS?

I was frequently puzzled about what Blue Edge staff was asked to do by NP management.

How can an "Operations Manager" be sales staff?
Peter ultimately was in charge of day to day operations and getting a magazine out. This means he sourced content, managed contributers, and handled the nuts and bolts of daily operations. A multi skilled task. The fact that he was able to do it with little to no corporate experience was a testament to his versatility as an employee. Maybe the haze he was said to be in by Shotput was work induced. We all know what that is like.

When I saw Peter saddled by NP staff with the additional hugely important position of sales, I was incredulous. I still do not understand who would deign to kill a publication in that fashion.
Whoever made that choice, were they to be employed by any of the publications I work for, would be demoted or let go. It displays a complete lack of understanding of the basics in running a publication, let alone the roll sales staff plays in service supply and income generation. It also demonstrates a complete lack of the duty of care an employer is obligated to provide to an employee.

Basically whoever did this took a viable capital asset (BE) and scrapped it. It’s easy to see who must shoulder the blame. The fact that anyone would NEED to be blamed in a publication with such great history in SB is pathetic.

I am sure that just as water finds it's own level, this entire issue will as well. I have no doubt that the people of our community will do what they can to help EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY find their own level. It is just the way things work in Santa Barbara. As most know, water always wins.

To Shotputz.
You should be very careful when you drop the "IDIOT" bomb!

Bravo! David Pu'u! Nobody could have said it better!

I didn't read BlueEdge but I mourn this loss to Santa Barbara and Goleta and south and north (whoops-east and west). I have grown to love all of the local publications in this part of the world that I have loved for years and had the pleasure of living in since 1998.

"emptynewsroom" (see above) has it right. It's time to move on. The new pubs like Sound and Newsroom need that juice to push them past the coffee shop distribution. (I have offered to be a paper boy again-ahh the Whittier News in 1953-127 customers on my route in the afternoon).

Combine the home delivery on the porch or driveway or roof with the web.

Will the Valley Voice be next? I loved that publication with Jim Farr. It's holding on sort of, but as a shadow.

Help!

I'm boB