Industries in flux make for great culture showdowns, and today Comparably looks at four companies in the News Media Industry – The Associated Press, CNN, Fox, and The New York Times. The ungainly transition from print to digital dominance is an old story at this point, but how has the tumult affected internal culture and employee satisfaction at companies that sell us the news? Using Comparably’s employee-submitted ratings and data, we can get a sense of which company puts care and effort into the maintenance of its workforce, and which treats employees more like yesterday’s papers.
OVERALL CULTURE
The New York Times – the Gray Lady of old – wins the Overall Culture category in a walk, coming in 15 points ahead of CNN’s second-place showing. It’s only bad news for Fox and The Associated Press, who both were bestowed with below-average ratings by their employees.
Associated Press: “The corporate culture keeps everyone overworked and overwhelmed.”
CNN: “Smart, driven, brilliant people.”
Fox: “Smart, hard-working individuals who have drive.”
New York Times: “Emphasis on learning, training, and career growth; support for employee-driven initiatives; and lots of employee groups to get involved with.”
CEO & LEADERSHIP
Another win for the NYT, this time for CEO Mark Thompson, who rates among the top 5% of CEOs for companies of a comparable size. CNN’s Jeff Zucker gets second place with a score 24 points lower than Thompson. Fox’s Murdoch – the only CEO here to marry one of Mick Jagger’s longtime exes – gets a three-point leg up on the AP’s Gary Pruitt.
Associated Press: “Leadership needs to get better at valuing its employees and creating a positive work environment.”
CNN: “Every bit of news is digested and manipulated to serve the aim of the corporate owners. It is nothing more then spinning the facts in a vacuum.”
Fox:“Leadership knows how to do their jobs.”
New York Times: “People see the culture coming from the CEO, so it’s not that positive of an opinion. He comes across as a micro-manager that breeds a focus on immediate performance, rather than long-term success.”
COMPENSATION
The New York Times goes three-for-three, taking a big win in the Compensation category. CNN comes up second with a respectable score that still sits nearly 20 points behind the Times. Fox and The AP receive almost indistinguishable D grades here.
Associated Press: “This company is cheap and acts as if it is determined to remain that way.”
CNN: “Pay is great and my job secure as long as I keep my mouth shut and tow the line.”
Fox: “I feel undervalued by my boss.”
New York Times: “Base and bonus are generous.”
PERKS & BENEFITS
CNN surges forward here with a healthy benefit package. The Associated Press comes in second here, fifteen points behind CNN. And Fox and The New York Times sit further back, with the AP score fifteen points lower than winner CNN and the Times score a full 20 lower.
Associated Press: “They offer a generous vacation policy.”
CNN: “Its more than I expected. The benefits are the best part of working here.”
Fox: “Benefits offered are competitive.”
New York Times: “PTO, Standard Holidays, choice of HM0/PPO/Medical Savings Plan. Tuition Plan, Fertility Benefits, Adoption Benefits.”
DIVERSITY
CNN wins another one for being at least diverse enough to earn a very low B in the Diversity category. Second place goes to the New York Times, and grades from there aren’t pretty: third goes to Fox, and last place to the AP with a failing grade.
Associated Press: “This place needs to diversify.”
CNN: “There is much diversity.”
New York Times: “They need to work on hiring more diverse employees.”
OUTLOOK
Associated Press: “Great, bright future. Lots of innovative thought.”
CNN: “Great opportunity to work at no. 1 media company in the US with worldwide impact.”
Fox: “You can be yourself and they enjoy the entrepreneurial spirit.”
New York Times: “Digital is growing the fastest, print the slowest. But print still pays the bills.”
Winning its fourth little gold trophy in the Outlook category is the New York Times, which means our president’s “failing New York Times” wins this culture competition. In second place with two trophies is CNN. Fox and The Associated Press weren’t able to distinguish themselves much in this competition, however. Better luck next time, fellas.
