Posted by chicagomedia.org on November 21, 2009 at 18:09:32:
Sun-Times Media Announces Organization and Personnel Changes
CHICAGO, Nov 20, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sun-Times Media today announced a series of organization and personnel changes that are designed to strategically position and maximize the strengths of the Sun-Times Media newspaper and digital network.
John Barron has been named Group Publisher and Senior Vice President--News/Editorial for Sun-Times Media. He will also continue his duties as Publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times and Publisher of Pioneer Press. He will report to Rick Surkamer, Sun-Times Media President and Chief Operating Officer.
Fred Lebolt has been named Senior Vice President--News Operations for Sun-Times Media. He will have direct responsibility for migrating all news operations across Sun-Times Media onto a unified operating platform. This will serve to enhance the integration of online and print news content and it will position Sun-Times Media to adapt to new digital opportunities. It will also create new opportunities for Sun-Times Media to more fully leverage its powerful news capabilities across its network of newspapers and Web sites. Mr. Lebolt will report to Mr. Barron in this new role created at Sun-Times Media.
Mr. Lebolt has most recently served as President/Publisher, Sun-Times Media Suburban News Division. Those duties will now be split and handled by two individuals. Jerry Alger, in addition to his role as Sun-Times Media Vice President, Advertising, South Region, has been named Publisher of the SouthtownStar. Robert Wall, in addition to his role of Sun-Times Media Vice President, Advertising, West Region, has been named Publisher of Sun-Times Media--West Region. As publishers, Mr. Alger and Mr. Wall will report to Mr. Barron, along with Lisa Tatina, Publisher of the Post-Tribune. As Vice Presidents of Advertising, Mr. Alger and Mr. Wall will report to Barbara Swanson, Senior Vice President of Advertising and Marketing for Sun-Times Media.
"Sun-Times Media continues its transformation into a more nimble and market-responsive organization that is able to leverage our strength as the region's highest quality and most comprehensive source of local news and information. This improves our ability to better serve our advertisers and our readers, who depend upon 24/7 news delivered to them on a variety of platforms," said Jeremy L. Halbreich, Chief Executive and Vice Chairman of Sun-Times Media.
"Sun-Times Media continues to invest in our distinguished media brands. Most recently, we completed the conversion of our network of publications to tabloid formats. These innovations have provided us with a very flexible platform for our advertising clients to better reach consumers and has positioned us well for future revenue growth," said Rick Surkamer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sun-Times Media. "We are very fortunate to have two experienced and respected professionals like John and Fred to lead this integration and expand the capabilities of our Company-wide news organization."