Neuharth Steps Down as Chief of Gannett Co.

Allen H. Neuharth stepped down today as chief executive officer of Gannett Co. Inc. after shepherding the media giant to ownership of its 93rd daily newspaper.

Neuharth’s surprise announcement came at the end of Gannett’s annual shareholders’ meeting here. Neuharth, 62, will remain as chairman of Gannett, but John J. Curley, 47, currently president, will become chief executive officer.

Neuharth’s announcement came one day after Gannett purchased the Louisville, Ky., Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times. (Story in Part IV, Page 1.)

Neuharth, his voice trembling, said his stepping aside as Gannett’s CEO is a “timely and wise move.”

“I am not going away. I love this company. I love the business and profession,” he said.

Neuharth, whose contract expires in March, 1989, said he will devote his time to long-term planning and policy for Gannett and will serve as “a reporter at large and ambassador at large.”