Here's a 2007 video of Gary Pruitt explaining how the purchase of Knight Ridder was a brilliant move

Here's a classic Gary Pruitt video that you need to see.

McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt made this video for McClatchy employees sometime in 2007, not long after the Knight Ridder deal was finalized. It's strange to watch Gary Pruitt trumpet the Knight Ridder deal and give rosy predictions about McClatchy's future. "Growth is our watchword" is one of his quotes.

Of course, we now know the Knight Ridder deal was brilliant for Gary Pruitt, since he earned a nifty $1 million dollar bonus for navigating the deal. Too bad the deal saddled his company with a crushing debt.

At any rate, watch this if you have the stomach. (7:43)



True to his reputation, he quotes lyrics from a Lenny Kravitz song at 6:30.

You may know this is Gary Pruitt week at McClatchy Watch. As part of the festivities, we are choosing a song for Gary Pruitt. McClatchy employees know Gary Pruitt as somebody who likes to quote lyrics from rock songs when he speaks to McClatchy groups. So it's time we pick a theme song for Gary himself.

To vote in the poll, go here.