1) One of the most consistent, sustained complaints among Product Managers and Directors is that they feel like order takers and project managers, and that they aren't involved in defining the strategy of their products. This is due to a lack of resources (e.g. Product Managers have to act as PMs, the Product Strategy team was dissolved years ago), expertise (e.g. CNN/Turner doesn't offer any form of strategy training), and expectations from the senior mgt team (who do not emphasize strategic thinking).
2) Senior management (VPs & above) are just ok, at best. Actual leadership skills are lacking or missing entirely, and there hasn't been a real vision for the Product org in years. As a result, defined organizational goals have also been weak or entirely missing. Missing vision and goals makes coordination throughout the ranks difficult, and creates a lot of confusion.
3) Big, wide-ranging decisions are often made based on gut feelings, rather than relying on data and careful reasoning. Senior leadership is replete with ego and bias, and they respond very poorly to being challenged and constructive criticism (despite preaching otherwise).
4) CNN is not particularly innovative or proactive about its products. Annual product roadmaps are largely defined by whatever the org didn't roll out in the previous year, copying competitors moves, reacting to Apple/Google/Facebook, or by the whims of senior management (who mostly rely on industry buzz to inform their decisions).
5) Product has restructured every year for the past 5 years, which involved staff cuts. The restructures occurred without much warning, and the reasons given (if they were given at all) tended to be vague and superficial ("It's a fast moving industry, so this is totally normal.") The most recent restructuring was in February/March 2018.
6) Mobility i very restricted and salary increases are pitiful. Most people have been in the same roles for years, and CNN tends to hire from without rather than promote from within.
