Your intangible assets could be worth more than you think

When I was yet again fulminating about that dastardly plot against journalism called Postmedia Networks, I drew attention to a certain item on their balance sheet.

"Intangible assets."

Somewhere Paul and what's left of his leadership team are strategizing survival strategies, and unless they glanced at the latest financials they might not even be aware that the same company that is deferring their paycheques is sitting on $340 million in intangible assets.

What the hell is an "intangible asset?"

I think the colloquial translation might be "imaginary asset."

But they do help balance a balance sheet!

Unpaid interns at Postmedia working harder than ever

This week Postmedia CEO Paul Godfrey announced another round of sackings in the troubled downward spiral of the one-time media conglomerate, including several publishers at various major titles in the chain.

That means those interns working out of the donut shop are going to have to pull up their pants and tighten their belts even more than before.

Because everybody knows that news gathering, investigative reporting, thought-provoking editorial writing, and newsworthy content don't mean shit if the bond-holders aren't being paid in full on the "equity" they bought for pennies on the dollar.

When Godfrey bails you'll know there's not enough juice left in the old cow to pay his seven-number salary.

And the new CEO will be an unpaid intern working out of a Tim Hortons in Burlington.