San Diego Union-Tribune

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 5:01pm on Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

The new owners of the San Diego Union-Tribune announced on May 12, 2009 that veteran media executive Ed Moss has been named the newspaper's president and publisher.

Moss most recently worked as president and chief executive of the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, which operates nine daily newspapers, including the Los Angeles Daily News. Before that, he was president and publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal in Ohio.

The newspaper reported:

"Moss said in an interview that he is optimistic about prospects for the paper and the newspaper industry, despite declines in circulation and advertising that have hit the sector in recent years.

He said his priority will be stabilizing the business financially and boosting revenue, in part by focusing on local advertisers who haven't done business with the paper in the past.

“I'm all about local, local, local – local news, local advertising,” Moss said. “That's our niche. The way to differentiate ourselves is to be as local across the company as we can.”

Paul Bridwell, whom Platinum named last week as chief restructuring officer for the Union-Tribune, said in a written statement that Moss will be responsible for day-to-day management of the business.

“We have our work cut out for us, given the challenges facing the newspaper industry and the overall economy,” Bridwell said. “But the Union-Tribune is a strong franchise that can thrive as long as we support a quality product while maintaining a profitable business.”

The full story:
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/12/bn12publish094318/

Eric Kallgren    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 10:23pm on Monday, May 25th, 2009

The San Diego Union-Tribune won a 2009 Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning on April 20, 2009.

The Pulitzer was awarded to Steve Breen of The San Diego Union-Tribune for his agile use of a classic style to produce wide ranging cartoons that engage readers with power, clarity and humor.

The prize is awarded for a distinguished cartoon or portfolio of cartoons, characterized by originality, editorial effectiveness, quality of drawing and pictorial effect, in print or online or both, ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Eric Kallgren    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 4:54pm on Monday, May 11th, 2009

The San Diego Union-Tribune made a round of layoffs affecting all departments on May 7, 2009.

The newspaper had this report:

"The San Diego Union-Tribune conducted a round of layoffs in all departments Thursday, the latest in a series of staff reductions the newspaper and its counterparts across the country have taken in recent years.

The move comes three days after Platinum Equity, a Beverly Hills private equity firm, completed its acquisition of the paper from its longtime owner, the Copley Press Inc.

A total of 192 positions will be eliminated, effective July 6, the company said in a statement. Senior managers told the affected employees Thursday in meetings organized by department. The company said employees will receive transition assistance and termination benefits.

The number of cuts in each department, including the newsroom, were not disclosed.

The 60-day notice is required under federal law for a company the size of the Union-Tribune when conducting more than 50 layoffs.

“These are tough times for the entire newspaper industry, and a time of transition for the Union-Tribune,” said Drew Schlosberg, the company's director of community and public relations. “Any decision to reduce staff is difficult. “We will be working diligently to make the transition for those affected as easy as possible. ”

The company's work force is now at 850 employees after several rounds of buyouts and layoffs in recent years.

The Union-Tribune, like other large newspapers, has been hit by both declining print circulation as well as a decrease in advertising that has been accelerated by the recession. Schlosberg said the paper has a late-week circulation (Thursday-Saturday) of just over 300,000 a day, with the daily paper estimated to reach more than 662,000 readers. Its Sunday circulation is 330,000, with a readership believed to be more than 890,000. The Union-Tribune's Web site, SignOnSanDiego, draws more than 3 million unique users each month."

Eric Kallgren    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 2:32pm on Monday, March 23rd, 2009

The price was under $50 million...

On March 19, 2009, the Wall Street Journal reported that Platinum Equity is a "fire sale buyer" that paid less than $50 million for the San Diego Union-Tribune. The writers said the price was supported by the real estate included with the deal.