Exec named CEO of Tribune Co. publishing unit
Tony Hunter, Chicago Tribune Media Group’s publisher and chief executive, has added the title of CEO of parent Tribune Co.’s publishing division.
The move, announced Monday by Tribune Co. Chief Executive Eddy Hartenstein, is part of the media conglomerate’s effort to restructure and streamline its publishing division. Tribune operates the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune and other media properties.
Hunter will oversee day-to-day operations of seven Tribune Co. daily newspapers and their digital operations.
Operational responsibility for the Los Angeles Times will remain in the hands of Kathy Thomson, who was appointed president and chief operating officer when Hartenstein became Tribune Co. CEO in May.
Four Tribune Co. positions will be eliminated, including three within the publishing division, according to a memo sent by Hartenstein to Tribune employees.
“The aggressive action we are taking today is designed to position our print and digital operations for long-term success,” Hartenstein, also publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times, said in a statement.
Hunter was a member, with Hartenstein, of the recently dissolved four-person Tribune Co. executive council that oversaw the company between the October resignation of CEO Randy Michaels and Hartenstein’s assumption of the title.
In addition to newspapers, Tribune Co. owns 23 television stations in 19 markets, including KTLA-Channel 5 in Los Angeles.
