An email sent to staffers at Pamplin Communications and obtained by WW spells out troubled times in the media empire owned by Robert Pamplin Jr.
Read the email and survey the damage after the jump.
In a phone call in which she confirmed the email’s authenticity, Pamplin Communications President and CEO Andrea Marek says the company is selling its campus off Southeast Division Street.
Included in the complex are three buildings that house the corporate offices of Pamplin Communications, and a 24,000-square-foot building that houses Pamplin’s enormous Christian Supply store. Those operations will move to the Pamplin Media Center on Lake Road in Clackamas County — home of the “Closer to Home” Portland Tribune, KPAM radio and several smaller community papers.
Also closing is a free health clinic for Pamplin employees.
Marek told WW that the future of other Pamplin operations — including the Portland Tribune — are not at risk. Then she cut the interview short, declining to elaborate on the company’s financial state or even to say how many employees work there.
“There’s no doubt about the company continuing,” Marek said.
Here’s a copy of the email Marek sent to employees:
As we continue to manage the needs of our customers, employees and business operations in these difficult economic conditions, we have made numerous changes to our structure to allow us to compete and emerge from this recession as a strong and robust organization. We are undertaking several additional changes in the second quarter of 2009.
These changes involve some of our company owned properties and Corporate Health Northwest. As many of you already know, plans are under way to move the corporate offices of Pamplin Communications and Christian Supply to the Pamplin Media Center on Lake Road at the end of May. In addition, the Corporate Health Northwest clinic services will end May 19th. Unfortunately, as we looked at other options for the clinic, we found the cost to be too great and cannot continue this service at this time.
With the relocation of the corporate staff and closure of the clinic, we focused on leasing part of the Division Street campus. However, given the current economic climate, the decision has been made to sell the entire property, which includes the Christian Supply store. The size of this store is not optimal for our future store business model. This sale will generate revenue which will support our business efforts. The property will be listed this week. It is unknown at this time how long it will take to find a buyer and close the sale. We will continue to operate the store until it is sold.
We recognize the impact the current economic conditions have had on our communities and you. We are extremely proud of and appreciative of the teamwork and contributions you all make each and every day.
Thank you,
Andrea Marek
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