Shakeup at the Reader: James Warren is out
James Warren
Veteran Chicago journalist James Warren stepped down Monday after just four months as president and publisher of the Chicago Reader. He said he plans to take on “enhanced duties” with the nonprofit Chicago News Cooperative, where he serves as a columnist, and pursue “other intriguing journalism opportunities.”
In a memo to his staff, Warren wrote:
“As I analyzed the needs of the Reader at this important moment in its history, I’ve decided to step aside and facilitate that process. The paper needs a corporate team working in lockstep, especially at a time of great financial need.”
Warren, 56, was co-managing editor of the Chicago Tribune before he resigned in 2008. He joined the Reader Nov. 2.
blogs.vocalo.org
So, what is the back story here? Warren’s stuff at CNC is the least interesting or original material on that site. Is he leaving the Reader to redouble his already lame efforts?
@Terry: Here’s Phil Rosenthal’s take on the story:
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2010/03/james-warren-exits-as-chicago-reader-publisher.html
I hope the Chicago Reader (well, all of the newspapers) make it. Chicago will be a much worse place without them.
The Times they are a changin’…. Trib and Reader too. ;-)
What never made sense was the appointment/hire itself. A publisher is a business position and a leader of ad sales and marketing. It’s also a full-time-plus job, not one that allows for doing two (!) columns a week for another (and competing) publication. So O’Shea got him the Ayala/Reader job as a place to land and another as his CNC columnist and now he’ll be doing more for O’Shea at CNC as well as cashing in other places as he knows how to do. And he stayed/returned as a Pulitzer juror for 2010, too. No tears or confusion required.
[Cross-posted with comments on Michael Miner's ChicagoReader.com report.]
The Reader (insert other newspaper names here) are having a tough go of it to say the least. Jumping ship however isn’t good on ones resume. I hope now that Chicago Tonight now doesn’t have him appear on their, “Week in Review,” etc., as a so-called “publisher” of the Reader, just like they continuously have Robert Crawford listed as a newsman from WBBM. Once you’re out. You’re out. It is “ones” decision to make, now accept all the consequences as a result.
Jim Warren is a good writer and a good analyst. He’s got real character flaws that result in short tenure. He’s perfect for the make pretend journalism being paid for by tax dollars and charity and lead by living in the past Jimbo O’Shea.