New Chicago Tribune publisher a "change agent"

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: New Chicago Tribune publisher Hunter called a 'change agent' : : : Tony W. Hunter, who created a new revenue stream for the Chicago Tribune by forging a historic agreement last year to distribute copies of rival Chicago Sun-Times, was elevated Monday to publisher, president and chief executive of the Tribune, RedEye, chicagotribune.com and related properties. : Hunter, 47, takes the reins of the Chicago Tribune Media Group from Robert Gremillion. As senior vice president for parent Tribune Co.'s publishing division, Gremillion had been overseeing the Chicago Tribune group, which includes Chicago magazine, since Scott C. Smith's exit as publisher this summer. : The appointment of Hunter, a 14-year veteran of Tribune Co.'s flagship who was most recently its senior vice president of circulation and operations, comes one week before a major redesign of the 161-year-old Chicago Tribune. Like most major newspapers, the Tribune seeks to counter the erosion of circulation and advertising money. : "It's very humbling to think of all the people who have sat in this chair and that I'm getting the opportunity," said Hunter, who grew up in Calumet City. "I am focused on making sure that we can stay financially viable so we can continue to perform this leading-citizen role in Chicago. I want to continue the legacy of this great brand, but I recognize that in order for that to happen, we have got to perform better financially." : Besides last year's distribution deal with Sun-Times Media Group, which cut costs for the Sun-Times while producing revenue for the Tribune, Hunter also has overseen two major renovation projects at the paper's Freedom Center production facility. : "He understands the Trib and appreciates its history," Randy Michaels, Tribune Co. chief operating officer, said in a statement. "But he's also a change agent, a creative leader who is eager to move the paper in a new direction so it can compete for more readers and advertisers." : Hunter said the Chicago Tribune's redesign, which is set to make its debut Monday, "is absolutely the right thing for us to do right now" and is "something that has the ability to sustain, if not grow, our readership." : Despite declining circulation, Hunter noted that Chicago Tribune Media Group's full portfolio, which includes RedEye and Hoy, "is growing in circ and readership here in this market and we need to find a way to leverage that for clients and show that we have a suite of products they can come to to satisfy their marketing needs." : The brother-in-law of former Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Tomczak, Hunter is a father of three who spent a decade with the Schaumburg-based Audit Bureau of Circulations before climbing the ranks of the Chicago Tribune, which he now hopes to make less hierarchical. : "We work together. Nobody works for me. We're all together and we've got a lot to do," said Hunter, who has degrees from Coe College and DePaul University. "One thing I can tell you is I am excited. I have a high energy level, and I am going to lead this place courageously. : "It's a very humbling day, but don't mistake that for a lack of confidence." : : (rosenthal/trib)

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