September 13-18, 2002. The Hollywood Reporter newsroom.
Looking back, the job and salary negotiations were straight forward and direct: my boss called me in, closed the door, and a plan to fill the Assistant to the Editor role was cemented. Clear. Direct. Respect.
I took the role: Assistant to the Editor. More than a 1/3 salary jump in 11 months. My co-assistant is the editor for the Calendar of Events page with her much deserved byline. I keep my 52-extension phone console so we all have access to breaking news. “What I don’t know, I need you to H-E-L-P me,” I told my boss. He said, “You’re good at math.”
Stone wanted to run around the office yelling. Mom said get close to the salary number. Peter Pryor said “great hire.” Bob Dowling still has to approve it, but “there’s no turning back.”
Black journalists were ∼5% of U.S. newsrooms then. I was one of them. On the phones. On the floor.
Everyone’s career peak is their respective ride....just be ready.
I’m frustrated with the news ecosystem today, but I will always and still do believe in talent, writers, and journalists with integrity who truly inform, edify, take risks and explain a complex world and the complex human beings that we are.
From the newsroom floor to 30 countries. This is Season 2: 2002 of "Let's Talk About Hollywood."
Written and read by Karl Gibson.
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