Tribune Restructures Publishing Division

CHICAGO, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Company today announced a restructuring of its publishing division designed to streamline the organization, reposition resources and reduce expenses.  As part of the restructuring, several of the division's finance and administrative functions are being reassigned to its business units in order to achieve greater efficiency.

"The aggressive action we are taking today is designed to position our print and digital operations for long-term success," said Eddy Hartenstein, Tribune's president and chief executive officer.  "Our consolidated financial results are ahead of plan for the first half of the year, thanks to better than expected results from our broadcasting division.  The results from our publishing division, while on track, continue to experience year-over-year declines—with several digital initiatives underway and this reorganization, we are taking steps to begin to reverse this trend."

The company announced that Tony Hunter has been appointed chief executive officer of Tribune Publishing, effective immediately.  Hunter assumes responsibility for the strategic priorities and day-to-day digital and print operations of seven Tribune newspaper companies including the Chicago Tribune, Sun Sentinel (South Florida), Orlando Sentinel, Baltimore Sun, Hartford Courant, The Morning Call (Allentown, PA), and Daily Press (Newport News, VA).  The day-to-day publishing and digital operations of the Los Angeles Times will remain the responsibility of Kathy Thomson, who was appointed president and chief operating officer of the Times in May.  She will continue to report to Hartenstein.

"Tony is an experienced, hands-on leader who understands the importance of our digital efforts, and how critical they are to the success of our publishing group," said Hartenstein.  "He's also helped build the Chicago Tribune Media Group into a diversified portfolio of products providing news, information and differentiated content to readers and digital users whenever and wherever they want it—that's a model we must replicate across our markets."

Hunter was a member of Tribune's executive council from October 2010 to May 2011, when the council was dissolved.  He will continue serving as publisher and chief executive officer of the Chicago Tribune Media Group, a position he has held since September 2008.

Vince Casanova, appointed today to the newly created position of president and chief operating officer of the Chicago Tribune Media Group, will assume responsibility for its day-to-day operations.  Casanova has been with Tribune for more than 30 years, holding positions of increasing responsibility at Chicago Tribune and the company's group publishing office.

"Vince is the ideal executive to lead the Chicago Tribune Media Group," said Hunter.  "He knows our people, the marketplace and our operations top-to-bottom, and has helped build our printing and distribution capability, resulting in substantial revenue growth."

Hunter added, "Tribune has a great mix of print and digital assets, strong brands in major markets, and innovative, talented people—we will succeed by leveraging those strengths and fiercely competing for market share."

As a result of the restructuring announced today, Bob Gremillion, EVP/Tribune Publishing, and Harry Amsden, SVP/Financial Operations for Tribune Publishing, will be leaving the company.

"Bob and Harry have made significant contributions to Tribune during the course of their careers," said Hartenstein.  "We are a better company today as a result of their talent and efforts and we wish them well."

TRIBUNE is one of the country's leading multimedia companies, operating businesses in broadcasting, publishing, and interactive. The company's broadcasting group operates 23 television stations, WGN America on national cable and Chicago's WGN-AM.  In publishing, Tribune's leading daily newspapers include the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, Sun Sentinel (South Florida), Orlando Sentinel, Hartford Courant, The Morning Call and Daily Press. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience.

SOURCE Tribune Company