Tag Archives: Business Weeklies
San Antonio biz journalist Sanchez dies
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Sandra Lowe Sanchez, the special report editor for the San Antonio Business Journal, passed away from complications due to cancer early Tuesday morning, Jan. 25.
A story on its site states, “Sandra, or Sandy as we called her in the newsroom, was a long-time journalist, beginning her career in the Boston area in 1984 where she worked for various community publications, including the Dorchester Community News and The Tab. In 1987 she took a job with the daily Eagle Times in Claremont, N.H., and about a year later moved across the border to the Southern Vermont Bureau of the Rutland Herald — the second largest newspaper in that state.
“Sandy, a graduate of the University of Maine, moved to San Antonio in 1990 and worked for a short time as a reporter for the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. The following year, she was hired by the San Antonio Business Journal as its banking and insurance reporter. Sandy covered that beat for three years, until 1994, when she was promoted to special report editor for the paper.
“In that position over the past 17 years, Sandy helped to craft the voice of the paper by developing and overseeing the editorial production of the newspaper’s numerous special reports and special publications, including one very dear to her heart, the 40 Under 40 special publication, which honors San Antonio’s up-and-coming business stars.”
Denver Biz Journal starts daily e-mail
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The Denver Business Journal is introducing a new service that will deliver a roundup of Colorado business news via e-mail during the week.
A story on the paper’s site states, “It will include top news reports from denverbusinessjournal.com from overnight. And it will include our picks of the top Colorado business news from other media, both local and national. You’ll get a quick excerpt of the news story, with a link to the source so you can read more.
“You’ll be able to look up news by company and by location, too.
“‘Morning Call makes keeping up with Colorado-critical business news quick and easy. Emailed to you every morning, the DBJ’s Morning Call gives you the essential news and information you need to know, compiled by experienced DBJ editors, from a variety of news sources,’ said Editor Neil Westergaard.
“You’ll also find Morning Call news items on our website home page each morning under ‘Latest News.’”
Read more here.
Biz journal adds sports business beat
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The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal is adding regular sports business coverage to its paper.
A story on its site states, “Senior Editor Rob Keys, a former sportswriter and columnist, will head up a new column called ‘Keeping Score’ which will focus on the sports business beat. The news column that appeared in that space, ‘New Biz,’ is temporarily discontinued. Items about new businesses will appear in the Industry Report section.
“The Business Journal has always kept an eye on the millions of dollars that flow through the area’s largest sports programs and venues; now we’ll do it more often.
“Keys has done an outstanding job of informing our readers about the business side of the Razorbacks program and holding University of Arkansas’ Athletics Director Jeff Long accountable. A story by Keys and Chris Bahn, a writer for ArkansasSports360.com, garnered a top award for a scoop about the program’s pressure on physician groups to ‘sponsor’ athletics in exchange for business contracts.
“‘Keeping Score’ will be a mix of Keys’ wit, keen commentary and hard-hitting news.”
Read more here.
Biz journal columnist resigns
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Columnist, reporter and former city councilman John Hazlehurst resigned from the Colorado Springs Business Journal Monday after five years at the publication.
Andrew Wineke of the Colorado Springs Gazette writes, “Hazlehurst said there was no single trigger for his decision and that he wished the paper well, but that the weekly paper was headed in a different direction and it was time for him to move on.
“‘The focus of the Business Journal is changing and I think it’s time for me to leave,’ he said. ‘I am not one to hang out at the party once it starts to wind down.’
“Hazlehurst, 70, said he was not leaving to run for mayor or city council. He ran for mayor unsuccessfully in 1997.
Sacramento Biz Journal editor resigns
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Ron Trujillo, the editor of the Sacramento Business Journal in California, has resigned after five years in the position.
A story on the paper’s site states, “Trujillo, 44, says he has no immediate plans and will continue to oversee the 12-person newsroom until an editor is hired, likely during the next several weeks. Publisher Joanna Wessman has started a national search for the position.
“”It’s a great job, and has been a wonderful experience,’ said Trujillo, who also files business reports for Capital Public Radio in Sacramento. ‘I know many will speculate about my departure, but it was my decision and something I’ve been thinking about for the past few months. Joanna has been a great boss and friend, and very supportive. I have a great newsroom, and will miss the excitement, from the breaking web stories to putting the newspaper together every week.
“‘But, after a couple years of very long work weeks, it’s time to find more balance in my life. I don’t want to be 55 years old and realize that I can take great care of a building and a newsroom, but have overlooked friends and family — or some of my own needs.’
“Wessman appreciates his efforts during the past five years and applauds his move.”
San Diego Biz Journal names new publisher
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Randy C. Frisch has been named the new president and publisher of the San Diego Business Journal, according to a story post Monday on its site.
Outgoing president and publisher Armon Mills has accepted a position with J.H. Cohn LLP as the accounting firm’s regional director of practice development.
The paper is owned by a company that also operates the Los Angeles Business Journal, Orange County Business and San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
The story states, “At the same time, Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Reo Carr has been named vice president of corporate digital media and will be leading the development of the digital media product. Carr will continue his role as editor-in-chief of the San Diego Business Journal.”
Frisch served as vice president of operations and information technology for The San Diego Union-Tribune from 2006 to 2009. He was chief financial officer for the Union-Tribune from 2003 to 2006. He has held numerous executive roles in the newspaper business, including chief executive officer and chief operating officer, since 1981.
“Frisch has led newspaper companies ranging in size from $2 million in sales to more than $400 million in sales. He has worked for The Salt Lake Tribune and Tribune Publishing Co. of Idaho, with roles such as editorial page editor, advertising director and general manager.”
Read more here.
Dallas Biz Journal names new publisher
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Tracy Merzi, the advertising director at the Washington Business Journal, has been named the publisher of the Dallas Business Journal.
Both papers are owned by American City Business Journals.
A story on the Dallas paper’s site states, “Prior to her three-year stint there, Tracy spent 15 years at the Pittsburgh Business Times, first as an advertising consultant and, for 10 years, as ad director.
“‘Tracy brings the expertise and energy a great business city like Dallas demands and deserves,’ said Whitney Shaw, CEO of American City Business Journals, the parent company of the Dallas Business Journal.
“‘I look forward to getting to know the Dallas business community, and working with the strong team at the Dallas Business Journal,’ Merzi said.”
Read more here.
Ocala Business Journal shuts down
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Richard Anguiano, the editor of the Ocala Business Journal in Florida, writes Thursday about the paper’s closing after four years.
Anguiano writes, “Above all, I cannot thank enough, you, the readers, who invited me to your businesses, your trade shows, the meetings of your professional organizations. You shared story tips, a friendly lunch now and then, and the occasional piece of constructive criticism. (Perhaps the most valuable bit of feedback I received was from a dedicated reader who called to say we’d left a key piece of information out of one profile.)
“My conservative estimate is we told 1,000 stories about Marion County’s business community in 46 editions and tried to give it to you straight — the news being neither positive nor negative, but the news. That said, I do wish we had a happier overall picture to paint.
“Thankfully, this isn’t a parting of the ways; I will remain at the Star-Banner and will be involved a new venture involving online and social media aimed at gathering and sharing the news of groups throughout Marion County, including the business community. I’ll continue in shut-up-and-listen mode for this new project and will seek your input.
“In the meantime, there’s still one issue left of Ocala Business Journal. Enjoy it and keep in touch.”
Read more here. The paper was produced by the Ocala Star Banner, a New York Times paper.
American City Business Journals gives back 5% pay cut from 2009
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TALKING BIZ NEWS EXCLUSIVE
American City Business Journals, the owners of 40 business weekly newspapers across the country, announced internally Thursday that the 5 percent pay cut for employees it made in 2009 will be given back at the beginning of 2011.
Journalists and other staffers will receive the 5 percent back as long as they were on the payroll on June 1, 2009 and have not received a salary increase because of a promotion or another reason since then. The money will be seen in the first paychecks of January.
American City Business Journals, which is based in Charlotte, has approximately 600 journalists working for the company at weekly business papers stretched from Honolulu to Boston. It is one of the largest employers of business journalists in the country.
In a note to employees, CEO Whit Shaw wrote, “While we are pleased that we can take this step, it would be a mistake to assume that the company has recovered completely from the economic challenges that necessitated the reduction in the first place. With the help of you and your colleagues, we’ve weathered the most difficult part of the storm, remain fundamentally sound and are well positioned for the future. Please know, however, that I also believe it will take some time for us to return to the financial performance of our best years.”
In the note, Shaw said that the pay cut helped save jobs across the company.
“With the 5 percent reduction being lifted, our next focus will be on addressing the salary and hiring freezes,” added Shaw. “We will review both on an on-going basis, as we have in the past, but would not expect to be in position to do anything before mid-2011 at the earliest. I will continue to review requests to fill open positions on a case-by-case basis.”
ACBJ launching mobile apps for its biz papers
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Charlotte-based American City Business Journals announced Tuesday that it is launching mobile applications for all 42 of its business publications.
The St. Louis Business Journal is the first paper to launch its free mobile application for Android, Blackberry and iPhone devices. Other markets are scheduled to launch by the first quarter of 2011.
“We are dedicated to providing comprehensive, exclusive coverage on both local and national issues that affect our subscribers’ businesses and assist them in opening doors and making connections,” said Huntley Paton, executive editor for The Business Journals, an ACBJ subsidiary, in a statement. ”Mobile is an integral part of our growth strategy to deliver a more relevant and convenient experience.”
The app will also be available for the iPad and the Galaxy Tab.
Subscribers to the print edition of the papers will be able to access premium stories from their mobile device.
Kansas City-based Handmark is helping develop the apps for ACBJ.
Read more here.
