Corporate just announced that it hired Susan Leath as publisher of The News Journal in Wilmington, Del. Leath has been publisher of McClatchy's Centre Daily Times in State College, Pa., since 2009.
She replaces Howard Griffin, who was promoted to vice president of national sales at Corporate in July. Ellen Leifeld, a long-time Gannett executive, had been interim publisher.
Based on circulation, Leath is making a big career leap. The Pennsylvania paper's weekday circulation is 17,802, and Sunday is 23,900. Wilmington's is 80,918 and Sunday's is 107,423, according to the March 31 AAM report. (Look up your circulation.)
Corporate being, well, Corporate, didn't provide Leath's age, and I don't see a story about her on the newspaper's website yet. She's at least 48 years old, according to this McClatchy press release.
[Updated at 6:24 p.m. ET.] Groan: The paper has now published a seven-paragraph story that fails Profile Writing 101. But we aren't surprised. This is, after all, the paper that kissed the ring of Delaware's royalty.
Earlier: The News Journal's transformative new content layers.
 |
| Leath |
Based on circulation, Leath is making a big career leap. The Pennsylvania paper's weekday circulation is 17,802, and Sunday is 23,900. Wilmington's is 80,918 and Sunday's is 107,423, according to the March 31 AAM report. (Look up your circulation.)
Corporate being, well, Corporate, didn't provide Leath's age, and I don't see a story about her on the newspaper's website yet. She's at least 48 years old, according to this McClatchy press release.
[Updated at 6:24 p.m. ET.] Groan: The paper has now published a seven-paragraph story that fails Profile Writing 101. But we aren't surprised. This is, after all, the paper that kissed the ring of Delaware's royalty.
Earlier: The News Journal's transformative new content layers.
Wonder the next stop for the Grim Reaper Leifeld?
ReplyDeleteWow, Gannett hires a person of color in a senior leadership role. Now that's news Jim. Nevermind her age. She's not white. And, for Gannett, that's huge.
ReplyDeleteIn case anyone's wondering, here's her LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/susan-leath/78/9b/364
not really huge..... Riddle was a person of color. the last VP of sales was also a person of color. And two of his direct reports were (are) people of color.. And the HR lady. Not a big deal in Wilmo.
DeleteIt's nice to hear that Howard was promoted to VP of National Sales. That team needs a lift. Since the SVP started, she doesn't have anyone from the original team in place and it continues to roll over. Sad nothing is being done...
ReplyDeletehahahahaha!
DeleteYes, Howard is a boon to the national staff. A great hire. He will do great things. Solid pro. The best. Awesome. The man.
ReplyDeleteYes, life is full of second chances, and hopefully Mr. G will not disappoint this time around.
DeleteHe's been disappointing for decades. It's doubtful he'll break the momentum on that.
Deletehttp://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013310080081&nclick_check=1
ReplyDeleteTom Donovan is the spokesman on this one. Previously, it has been Michael Kane. I would assume Wilmington is now under Donovan's control? Did I miss this announcement/transition? Jim -- some more reporting may be needed here .... did Donovan also pick up Salisbury and Griffin's other sites, such as Staunton?
Here's how to write a complete press release.
ReplyDeleteIt is McClatchy's, announcing Leath's appointment as Centre Daily Times publisher in March 2009.
At the time, she was 44. So, she's now at least 48 years old.
I wonder how long it will take to crush her soul? Poor thing doesn't know what she got herself into.
DeleteSince the South group was dissolved, Donovan has been regional VP over all of NJ, plus Wilmington, Salisbury and Staunton, but the sites all were still East Group. If there's a new Mid-Atlantic Group, that's a recent development. (Guess: It's a regional subgroup within East and the Wilmington story got the title wrong.) Also, Claybaugh at Salisbury had taken over Griffin's sites last year - Griffin just had Wilmington well before he left for the national sales team.
ReplyDeleteClaybaugh seemed like a good fit for Wilmington. They must have even bigger and better sites in mind for him. They won't just strand him in a place like Salisbury.
ReplyDeleteClaybaugh is positioned to help her by being where he is. He will have the time to serve in a regional sales role and work closely with Leath. Salisbury is already Wilmington's step-child, sharing advertising cross-selling, news, production, systems. Tom will practically be on Leath's operating committee as the two sites continue to share leadership and resources. This is a shrewd, smart move by either Kane or Donovan or all of them.
ReplyDeleteWhy should Claybaugh have to be there to "help" her? Shouldn't she be qualified, on her own merits, to run the business without a silent helper?
DeleteShe'll be running things, no doubt. Salisbury and Wilmington are combined teams. He has more experience. These are two teams and two interesting leaders who can work together and get things done.
DeleteDo you really think Donovan is shrewd? Have you meet the guy? Not a lot to write home about.
Delete