Times’ Britton Named Sun-Times Editor

Dennis A. Britton, a Los Angeles Times deputy managing editor, was named editor of the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday.

Britton, 49, who has been in charge of The Times’ national, foreign and financial coverage for six years, will take the helm of Chicago’s No. 2 newspaper on Dec. 4.

“Chicago is one of the most exciting journalism cities in the world,” said Britton, who appeared at a Chicago news conference Tuesday, along with his wife, Theresa. “It is a pleasure to be a part of Chicago journalism.”

Last year, Britton was one of four Los Angeles Times news executives being considered to replace William F. Thomas when he retired as the editor of The Times. Shelby Coffey III was named to replace Thomas and assumed the duties in January.

“Dennis’ new job is a loss for The Times because he has made many fine contributions over the years,” Coffey said Tuesday. “But his friends here share his excitement in the new challenges ahead and wish him the best. The Chicago Sun-Times is a lucky paper today.”

Sun-Times publisher Charles T. Price said the Chicago newspaper had gone through a long, nationwide search to find an editor to replace Kenneth D. Towers, who was moved to another management position earlier this year.

Britton will report to Price and Sam S. McKeel, president and chief executive of Sun-Times Co., parent of the newspaper.

“Dennis is an editor sensitive to the changing realities of the newspaper business and is coming to us dedicated to developing a newspaper that readers and advertisers in the Chicago market will find exciting and essential,” Price said.

The Sun-Times has suffered circulation and advertising declines since it was bought in 1984 by Australian media magnate Rupert Murdoch. In 1986, its current owners, a New York investor group, acquired the paper.

The Sun-Times daily circulation is 535,864, down from 579,272 a year ago. Sunday circulation of 563,148 is down from 600,257 last year. The Chicago Tribune, its main competitor, has circulation of 720,155 daily and 1.1 million Sunday.

Britton said he would attempt to stem the circulation slide by making the Sun-Times “something you have to read to know what’s going on and something that is fun, that will entertain you, something that will amuse you, something that may bemuse you. Your day will not be complete unless you have finished the Sun-Times.”

The newspaper, he said, “has one of the best traditions of journalism of any papers in the country. We’re going to build on the strengths that we have.” The Sun-Times’ focus on local coverage will remain the top priority, and the news staff will be expanded if necessary, he said.

Britton, a fifth-generation Californian, was born in Santa Barbara and completed his studies at San Jose State University in 1962. He joined The Times as a copy editor in 1966 after four years at the San Jose Mercury News. He later spearheaded The Times’ Watergate coverage as news editor in the Washington bureau. He became national editor in 1977 and was promoted to deputy managing editor in 1983.

Britton is the second Los Angeles Times executive recently to join Sun-Times Co. James B. Shaffer, former vice president for finance and planning of The Times, recently became Sun-Times Co. vice president and treasurer.