Also on the Source blog, Diane Nelson makes a statement that in addition to extolling the men chosen for the new exec team, answers a lot of the questions we’ve all been pondering for the last few months — in fact, they seem directly aimed at them:
In terms of possible alternate candidates for the Publisher role, some very qualified names have been talked about and raised. Each have tremendous merit in his or her own right, but none other than this team were approached or considered seriously. Jeff Robinov’s and my interest in this specific combination of people – with their highly complementary talent – has been in play since very early on in this transition period. And our decision to pursue assembling this specific team was made as early as mid-November. Anyone who looks carefully will see that it can’t have been easy or quick to make this team happen. But equally, people must see how compelling it was to try.
It has been my observation that business partnerships – actually, any partnership, really – are rarely effective unless the partners choose each other. This partnership – both Dan and Jim as Co-Publishers and Geoff, John and Pat as executive partners with them – was a very organic and natural one. And this team is brimming with respect for one another and excitement at what this combination can achieve.
The whole statement is full of colorful details, such as what Neil Gaiman told her at dinner and so on. This kind of openness and frankness from DC’s top exec is going to make the New Kremlinology a breeze!
Looks like the suits couldn’t wait to get these public alibis/excuses out there with the DCE announcement. Too bad they’re mostly full of defensive gossip banter, instead of solid product content discussion.
I wouldn’t have used the terms she did. What happens when one of the partners decides to leave? It appears that she’s trying to make an unfortunate power-sharing arrangement look as good as she can.
I wouldn’t be nearly so cynical on the corporate hierarchy subject if I hadn’t worked at Sprint Corp. for nearly ten years, and covered news reports about corporate departures and restructurings.
SRS
Annnnnnnndddddd….Ed forgot to take his meds again and he’s out.
I’m confused as to the reason for the negativity in the first two posts. This is just a typical business announcement. They don’t even come close to being alibis/excuses. It doesn’t matter if “one of the partners decides to leave”, because that happens in business all the time.
“I’m confused as to the reason for the negativity in the first two posts. This is just a typical business announcement. They don’t even come close to being alibis/excuses.”
Alan, you’re ALWAY “confused” unless it’s an idea you support. When a corporation is usually as secretive as DC typically is, then all of a sudden a rash of ‘public statements’, this isn’t merely just a typical business announcement. They’re trying to scare off the vultures.
It’s not a typical business announcement. Compared to the typical corporate boilerplate, this statement was a wedding announcement, with all the members of the team validating each other’s qualifications. I doubt that this structure was Nelson’s preferred one.
SRS
KET said:
“Alan, you’re ALWAY “confused” unless it’s an idea you support.”
Apart from the personal attack…
I neither approve nor disapprove of these moves. I have no INFORMED OPINION about the upper workings at DC Entertainment nor WB. I just don’t understand all the negativity about what “might” happen. Wondering and worrying and speculating on what might happen is truly a waste of time and energy.
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Synsidar said:
“I doubt that this structure was Nelson’s preferred one.”
Again, it doesn’t matter. Nelson was hired to do this job. If WB wants this structure, she has to do it or move on. If she wants this structure, and it works, she is likely to get more money or an even bigger job.
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I’m also wondering if there is so much negative speculation both here and at other places because Nelson is a girl in a boy’s club.
“I’m also wondering if there is so much negative speculation both here and at other places because Nelson is a girl in a boy’s club.”
That’s a bit of an odd statement, I think it’s more to do with the fact that many of the commentators here and in other places come from corporate backgrounds and understand (in a general sense rather than specific DC sense) the sorts of politics that go on.
I come from a background of researching organisational politics and culture and to me it seems a very strange set-up – one that could lead to paralysis of various actors in the organisation – maybe that’s the intention.