Free Press to get 3rd publisher in 3 years

[1ajs]

Free Press to get 3rd publisher in 3 years

Last Updated: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 | 11:58 AM CT

CBC News


Manitoba's largest newspaper, the Winnipeg Free Press, is looking for a new publisher.
Staff at the paper were told Tuesday that Andrew Ritchie, publisher since January 2006, was leaving to pursue other interests.
Editor Bob Cox has taken over as interim publisher.
"We are fortunate to have a very knowledgeable and experienced management team in place at the Free Press and we are confident that we will continue to achieve strong results during the search for a new publisher," chairman Ronald Stern said in a release.
Ritchie oversaw the Free Press's change to a front page of pictures and headlines — but no stories — and a significant bolstering of its website.
But journalism professor Duncan McMonagle wonders why he left so soon.

"Well, it's clear from the announcement that Andy Ritchie did not jump, he was pushed, and a couple of other publishers had been pushed from the Free Press, which is quite interesting," said McMonagle, who teaches journalism at Red River College in Winnipeg.
The new publisher will be the Free Press's third in the past three years.
McMonagle said the Free Press frequently talks about its success in readership and profitability in its own pages.
That means some other factors might have led to Ritchie's departure, he said. "The only other thing is some other aspect of their performance, is their relationships with the owners of the paper."
McMonagle says given the revolving door of publishers over the past three years it may be difficult to find a new publisher.
Before joining the Free Press in January 2006, Ritchie was in management at the Globe and Mail. He began his career in advertising sales at the Daily Mail, in London, England, and has been involved in leadership roles at other newspapers in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada.
FP Canadian Newspapers Limited Partnership owns the Winnipeg Free Press and the Brandon Sun, as well as Canstar Community News Ltd., the publisher of seven community and special interest newspapers in the Winnipeg region.
The Winnipeg Free Press newspaper publishes seven days a week, with an average seven-day circulation of about of 124,000 copies.
With files from the Canadian Press

[vid]

Is the Free Press the shitty one? Or is that the Sun? Or is that both?

No wonder they're losing business.

[newflyer]

Originally Posted by vid

Is the Free Press the shitty one? Or is that the Sun? Or is that both?

No wonder they're losing business.

Neither are good .... but the Sun has better editorial page and better sports section. I can't remeber the last Free Press editoral quoted on this forum. Neither have a clue what a business section entails. The Sun publishes all year .. but the Free Press thinks that the news business stops for holidays.. thankfully they don't run a TV or radio station... imagine dead air several days a year. Both papers need alot of help. Personally I hope that Metro News starts up in Winnipeg and kicks the crap out of both.

The Sun does not try to present itself as a serious major paper.... and it isn't a serious newspaper, but still has some redemable qualities, if you enjoy sports or a voice which challenges the status quo and a regular basis.

It is expected by many that the Free Press will be sold within the next year.. and you'll see the 4th editor in 4 years. Maybe then it will resemble something more like a serious major newspaper... instead of today's bargin basement liner for the old bird cage.