Posted by chicagomedia.org on November 28, 2008 at 12:56:10:
John Cruickshank Appointed Publisher of The Toronto Star
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Nov 26, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) ----Torstar Corporation announced today that John Cruickshank has been appointed as the Publisher of the Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper, effective January 1, 2009. Mr. Cruickshank is the 9th publisher in the newspaper's 116-year history.
Mr. Cruickshank, age 55, has enjoyed a distinguished career in newspapers and television in both Canada and the United States.
He has served as Publisher of CBC News since September, 2007, where he has been responsible for all English language television, radio and online news. Before joining the CBC, he was Publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times and Chief Operating Officer of the Sun-Times Media Group, based in Chicago, from 2003 to 2007. Prior to being named Publisher of the Sun-Times, he was Vice President, Editorial from 2000 to 2003.
He is also a former managing editor of the Globe and Mail and former editor-in-chief of the Vancouver Sun. Under his leadership, the Sun won a record number of National Newspaper Awards. He has also worked for the Montreal Gazette and started his journalism career with the Kingston Whig Standard.
Born and raised in Toronto, Mr. Cruickshank is a graduate of Richview Collegiate and a graduate of Trinity College at the University of Toronto.
"We are very pleased that John Cruickshank has agreed to serve as Publisher of the Toronto Star," said Robert Prichard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Torstar. "He is a skilled and proven leader at the peak of his game with a passion for newspapers and a distinguished record as a journalist, editor and publisher. He brings to the Toronto Star a commitment to journalism of the highest quality, a determination to deal with difficult times and a confidence that there are winning opportunities ahead. The Toronto Star will be in outstanding hands during his tenure as Publisher."
"I have had the honour and pleasure of working with John Cruickshank when I was Publisher of the Vancouver Sun and he was editor-in chief," said Don Babick, Interim Publisher of the Toronto Star and a member of Torstar's Board of Directors. "The Star is very fortunate to have John as publisher. He will bring to the Star an in-depth knowledge of the editorial and business side of the operations."
"John Cruickshank is a publisher's publisher - smart, passionate and committed to great journalism," said John Honderich, former Toronto Star Publisher and Chair of the Torstar Voting Trust. "His continent-wide experience, proven integrity and leadership ability make him ideal to lead the Star in these challenging times."
"I grew up in this town and I grew up with the Star," Cruickshank said. "I am thrilled to be coming to the Star. The Star combines the best readership and circulation with true news quality and a true news mission. The Star is a great newspaper and it is my ambition that it remains a great newspaper."
(Canadian Torstar Corporation press release)