Posted by Bud on September 12, 2010 at 22:47:28:
Snyder succeeds Blake as Crain's publisher
9/7/10
(Crain's) — Crain's Chicago Business today named David Snyder its new publisher, succeeding David Blake, who will retire at yearend after 29 years with Crain's, including the past 10 as publisher.
Mr. Snyder, 48, and a veteran Crain's executive who serves as associate publisher, will take responsibility for operations at Crain's Chicago Business effective Oct. 15, said Rance Crain, the publication's founder and editor-in-chief.
In the coming months, Mr. Blake, 56, will play a key role in assisting Crain's launch of a new online and event business focusing on the region's health care economy as well as other specialized publishing, event and video offerings. After Jan. 1, he will also concentrate on forming an independent business, the New Center for Chicago Business History, which will advise companies on leveraging the value of their corporate histories with employees, customers and the community.
“David Blake has been an outstanding publisher, and we intend to have a long relationship with him, both as he develops new projects for Crain's and as he starts his own business,” Mr. Crain said. “Dave Snyder has been involved in every facet of our business over the years. He is more than ready to assume the mantle.”
Mr. Snyder joined Crain's in 1983 as a researcher in the Washington bureau. He moved to Chicago in 1984 and spent the next four years as a reporter covering consumer products and food companies. He held a series of editing positions before he was named editor of the paper in 1993.
Under Mr. Snyder's leadership as editor, Crain's won numerous national and local journalism awards. He was named general manager/interactive in 2000 and directed a major re-launch of Crain's Web site, ChicagoBusiness.com. In 2004, he became associate publisher, taking on expanded management duties for Crain's print, online and event operations.
“Crain's has a legacy of valuing publishers who support independent and thoughtful journalism,” Mr. Snyder said. “Making Crain's even more indispensable to our readers and advertisers—in print, online and through events—will be central to everything I do.”
Mr. Blake joined Crain's as an advertising account executive. He served as sales manager, advertising director and associate publisher before he was named publisher. As publisher, he oversaw the launch of Crain's daily news Web site, ChicagoBusiness.com, a redesign of the paper and the launch of a second Web site, ChicagoRealEstateDaily.com, as well as a major expansion of Crain's event business.
“For three decades I've been immensely proud to be part of Crain's, knowing that weekly in print and daily online we are the premier source for business news in Chicago,” Mr. Blake said. “Even as I transition from publisher to entrepreneur, I look forward to keeping my ties to a great company and publication.”
Added Crain Communications Inc. Senior Vice-president Gloria Scoby, who succeeded Joe Cappo as Crain's publisher in 1989 and who handed over the publisher's reins to Mr. Blake in 2000: “Crain's Chicago Business has a rich tradition of one publisher mentoring the next. Now I am delighted to see David Blake continue that tradition with David Snyder.”