Comments on: CNET, Gamespot and Jeff Gerstmann: Controversy or conspiracy theory? http://strange.corante.com/2007/12/07/cnet-gamespot-and-jeff-gerstmann-controversy-or-conspiracy-theory Picking out patterns in the chaos Mon, 21 May 2012 12:50:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Richard Madeley http://strange.corante.com/2007/12/07/cnet-gamespot-and-jeff-gerstmann-controversy-or-conspiracy-theory#comment-2786 Richard Madeley Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:33:53 +0000 http://strange.corante.com/2007/12/07/cnet-gamespot-and-jeff-gerstmann-controversy-or-conspiracy-theory#comment-2786 The simple fact is that as these websites get bigger and become more corporate, they lose the edge that made them popular in the first place. Gerstmann was a throwback to a different kind of web. He was odd, unprofessional (in a good way) and knew his stuff. In the last year, Gamespot have lost the personalities that made it fun. It's a sad day when a good website goes this way but it's only natural. It gives a chance to a new website that still has the element of fun that these huge sites lack. The simple fact is that as these websites get bigger and become more corporate, they lose the edge that made them popular in the first place. Gerstmann was a throwback to a different kind of web. He was odd, unprofessional (in a good way) and knew his stuff. In the last year, Gamespot have lost the personalities that made it fun.

It’s a sad day when a good website goes this way but it’s only natural. It gives a chance to a new website that still has the element of fun that these huge sites lack.

]]> By: Mike http://strange.corante.com/2007/12/07/cnet-gamespot-and-jeff-gerstmann-controversy-or-conspiracy-theory#comment-2785 Mike Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:25:12 +0000 http://strange.corante.com/2007/12/07/cnet-gamespot-and-jeff-gerstmann-controversy-or-conspiracy-theory#comment-2785 CNET Management sure messed up this one. Had I been the evil manager; and given that he was most likely not acceptable to toning down his reviews (if management wanted and even worked on that point with him). I would have done the following (remember I'm role playing an "EVIL" but semi-competent corporate executive): 1. Given Jeff reviews of non advertised products that couldn't have made any waves with bad reviews. 2. Locked down the K&L review so that no changes would occur. The damage was already done and any softening of the review would most likely hurt the product more than help. 3. Canned him in February or later after so that there aren't any recent events to flame GS readers. The amount of management mistakes in how this was handled is pretty amazing. Terminating a popular public editor with a locked door and box has to be the worst way to handle his termination. You may think you are trying to fix the situation quickly to get the conflict over as soon as possible. However, if you go that route you better have your PR bases covered (read suggestions above). Mucking with the K&L review after it had been tied so closely to his termination and making waves has to be one of the dumbest stunts pulled! It was like putting the nail in the public perception coffin regardless of what the behind the scenes reasons were! There should be some management terminations just over how this was handled after the fact! CNET Management sure messed up this one. Had I been the evil manager; and given that he was most likely not acceptable to toning down his reviews (if management wanted and even worked on that point with him). I would have done the following (remember I’m role playing an “EVIL” but semi-competent corporate executive):

1. Given Jeff reviews of non advertised products that couldn’t have made any waves with bad reviews.

2. Locked down the K&L review so that no changes would occur. The damage was already done and any softening of the review would most likely hurt the product more than help.

3. Canned him in February or later after so that there aren’t any recent events to flame GS readers.

The amount of management mistakes in how this was handled is pretty amazing. Terminating a popular public editor with a locked door and box has to be the worst way to handle his termination. You may think you are trying to fix the situation quickly to get the conflict over as soon as possible. However, if you go that route you better have your PR bases covered (read suggestions above). Mucking with the K&L review after it had been tied so closely to his termination and making waves has to be one of the dumbest stunts pulled! It was like putting the nail in the public perception coffin regardless of what the behind the scenes reasons were! There should be some management terminations just over how this was handled after the fact!

]]> By: Joe http://strange.corante.com/2007/12/07/cnet-gamespot-and-jeff-gerstmann-controversy-or-conspiracy-theory#comment-2784 Joe Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:35:54 +0000 http://strange.corante.com/2007/12/07/cnet-gamespot-and-jeff-gerstmann-controversy-or-conspiracy-theory#comment-2784 You're right, it doesn't really matter why Gerstmann was fired at this point. I was a GS Complete subscriber from the first day it terned pay and I'm angry not at the GS Crew but at how CNET is run(now that I know). There are no excuses for this to happen. It is now apparent that CNET does not care if their management destroys all the blood, sweat, and tears shed by employees in the trenches. CNET leadership is in some sad shape. The employees in public view who make the content are the brand for god sakes! How could they be this ignorant. No excuses. As sad as I am for the GS crew I can't visit the CNET sites for now. I, as a user could give a crap about stupid management. I go to the sites for the content and the only thing I care about is the people who bring that content to me. Management and Sales need to back the hell up because without the content they wouldn't be employed. None of us give a flying %#$^ about management or sales. You’re right, it doesn’t really matter why Gerstmann was fired at this point. I was a GS Complete subscriber from the first day it terned pay and I’m angry not at the GS Crew but at how CNET is run(now that I know). There are no excuses for this to happen. It is now apparent that CNET does not care if their management destroys all the blood, sweat, and tears shed by employees in the trenches. CNET leadership is in some sad shape. The employees in public view who make the content are the brand for god sakes! How could they be this ignorant. No excuses. As sad as I am for the GS crew I can’t visit the CNET sites for now. I, as a user could give a crap about stupid management. I go to the sites for the content and the only thing I care about is the people who bring that content to me. Management and Sales need to back the hell up because without the content they wouldn’t be employed. None of us give a flying %#$^ about management or sales.

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