Karen Crotchfelt, a Gannett Co. executive at Republic Media in Phoenix, today was named publisher and president of Star Media in Indianapolis.
A Midwest native, Crotchfelt is senior vice president for sales and strategy at Republic Media, publisher of The Arizona Republic. Star Media, publisher of the Indianapolis Star and IndyStar.com, and Republic Media are owned by Gannett
“I’m excited to be back in the Midwest," Crotchfelt told Star employees this morning. "I grew up just a couple of hours from here.
“I’m excited at the energy I feel here and anxious to get started.”
She begins Jan. 3.
She replaces Michael G. Kane, who is being reassigned in Gannett.
She will bring skills in strategic thinking and communications from Phoenix to Indianapolis, said Bob Dickey, Gannett U.S. community publishing president.
Dominos falling
Kane's mysterious reassignment doesn't make clear whether
Got a Namefreaker of the Year candidate in this one.
ReplyDeleteBefore everyone gets excited over a sudden new development for Kane, wait for an "official" press release rather than rely on a story on the Star's website, which lately has featured scores of inaccuracies. It may be that the writer fees Kane's promotion is a reassignment from his current Star publisher duties.
ReplyDelete12:28 Promotion? To what position?
ReplyDeleteTrust me, every story about Gannett that goes up on The Star's website gets every word vetted by the folks upstairs.
ReplyDeleteYour new assignment is overlord of Gannett Digital. We will leave this pen and hari-kari sword with you while you consider the contract for your new opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Kane just made head of the East Group??
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ReplyDeleteThe last time I saw a management change announced like this was in September, when The Desert Sun's publisher, Richard Ramhoff, left that position for what the paper said would be a "new assignment within Gannett." As it turned out, he left the company.
ReplyDeleteIn Kane's case, it's mighty strange that this wasn't announced as part of last week's reshuffling of the four regional newspaper groups. One possibility: Kane will remain president of the East Group, carrying some additional, higher responsibilities for Corporate. I say that because the Star's story so far doesn't say what's happening to the East Group's presidency. Surely, Crotchfelt -- as a brand-new publisher -- isn't getting that post.
12:48 Are you saying he's being named the new chief digital officer?
They are probably realigning things so that Kane can take a home-base closer to his family, who have remained in Rochester while he has worked in Indy.
ReplyDeleteYeah, no more weekly limo rides to the airport on Fridays for Kane; maybe the money they save on his trips back and forth each week can pay someone's salary
ReplyDeleteSo, would this mean Kane is about to replace Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Publisher Ali Zoibi?
ReplyDeleteSurely, though, Kane wouldn't be introduced as Rochester's new publisher unless he was standing there in the newsroom. That's gotta be a non-starter. Where is he right now?
ReplyDelete12:27 A Star reader has posted the following comment on today's story: "wow, she's managed to succeed, even with that last name. She must be pretty good."
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered whether people with difficult last names are made tougher by the experience, so are better prepared to be leaders. I'm recalling that Gannett's former human resources chief is Dick Clapp. (Seriously.)
Come on Jim. He is on the plane with Bob D flying to the site. When was the last time a fired executive was seen standing next to their replacement. This is really much ado about nothing.
ReplyDeleteThat was my point in posting the photo and ensuing discussion in the post above this one. If Kane's reassignment was anything less than friendly, he would have been nowhere near Crotchfelt and Dickey.
ReplyDeleteThis all started with a badly written story in the Star. All they had to say was "Crotchfelt succeeds Michael Kane who was recently named President of Gannett Media's East Group". Since they wanted to keep the Rochester part of the story quiet until those employees had been notified. Instead a badly written Star story misleads and confuses readers. As happens in Indy daily.
ReplyDeleteCrotchfelt is her husband's name. Her maiden name was Ferguson. Leave it to the little boys to come up with this comment. Grow up
ReplyDeleteLittle boys, laugh all you want. Karen is absolutely one of the smartest strategy people I've ever known. Smart, poised, visionary, articulate and a rock-solid manager who knows marketing, advertising, circulation and the business side very very well. Tough as nails and can be a real nut cutter, but you won't find a smarter more passionate individual. Work hard for her and reap big rewards. Say and do stupid stuff...then stand back 'cause you're going to get skewered. This is a well-deserved big promotion for Karen. Congrats to her!!!
ReplyDeleteso WHY in the world would she assume that name??? I think Fergie would have been just fine....and I'm sure her husband would have understood....no??
ReplyDeleteSeems to me that someone once said all those things about Barbara Henry once.....and look where she is now....AND ummmmm.....I wouldn't assume that if someone says something cute about the name that it comes from "the little Boys" club....
ReplyDeleteBarbara Henry: There's a blast from the past.
ReplyDelete3:42 p.m., Indy's not the only site where that happens ... daily.
ReplyDeleteI echo.. Karen is a smart cookie. She's a visionary and believes in the future of our business. She makes things happen and does it with a strategic plan. She'll do great things.
ReplyDeleteBarb Henry vs Karen Crotchfelt. Barb was mean, insensitive and unkind. Karen is tough as nails but she'd help you in any way possible if you need her. You go Karen!
ReplyDeleteIndy is in great hands with Karen. She expects a lot but has unbelievable passion. She's the kind of leader we need in this company.
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