Romenesko Memos
Michael Days, who has been Daily News editor since 2005, becomes Philadelphia Inquirer managing editor. Larry Platt, who recently left Philadelphia magazine, becomes Daily News editor. || Philly Daily News (6/25/10): Platt ousted as Philadelphia editor, “largely due to [his] history of inappropriate and unprofessional remarks and jokes to his employees.”
From: Osberg, Greg
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 3:45 PM
To: All PMN Employees
Subject: Announcement
Today, I am pleased to announce several editorial staff changes that will move us significantly closer to becoming the most innovative, relevant and profitable regional media company in the U.S. Stan has assembled a new executive editorial team at the Inquirer and Michael Days will be his new Managing Editor. At the Daily News, Larry Platt, the former editor of Philadelphia Magazine will become the new Editor. These appointments and others mentioned in the attached press release put us in a strong position to achieve our integrated content goals and begin the renaissance of two of America’s most powerful newspaper brands. Please join me in congratulating Michael, Larry, Mike, Sandy, Avery, Tom and Gabe, and wishing them well in their new roles.
Greg
Gregory J. Osberg
Publisher and Chief Executive Officer
……..
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHILADELPHIA MEDIA NETWORK, INC. ANNOUNCES SEVERAL, KEY EDITORIAL APPOINTMENTS AT THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER AND PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS
Michael Days Appointed Managing Editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Larry Platt Named Philadelphia Daily News Editor
PHILADELPHIA (January 12) – Philadelphia Inquirer Editor Stan Wischnowski named Philadelphia Daily News Editor Michael Days to serve as Managing Editor of The Inquirer effective Monday, January 31. Concurrently, Former Philadelphia Magazine Editor Larry Platt was announced as the new Editor of the Daily News.
“In his nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor in Philadelphia, Michael Days has established himself as one of the most respected journalists in the city and beyond,” said Wischnowski. “Having worked closely with Michael on a variety of company-wide projects over the past few years, I’ve been very impressed with his collaborative management style as well as his aggressive approach to reporting. That combination will serve The Inquirer well going forward. Michael understands the need for our accelerated push into multimedia but also realizes that our future success starts and ends with great content above all else.”
In announcing Larry Platt’s appointment as Editor of the Daily News, Greg Osberg, Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of Philadelphia Media Network acknowledged Platt’s diverse and extensive editorial experience, particularly as editor of Philadelphia Magazine for eight years. “Larry has a stellar track record as an Editor, recognizing the importance of print and digital integration, and being nominated twice for a national magazine award as editor of Philadelphia Magazine. He is extremely well suited to begin the transformation of the Daily News into a loud, irreverent and fun tabloid. I am pleased to have Larry joining our Network and excited about his plans for the Daily News,” said Osberg.
Michael Days noted, “Larry’s a solid journalist, a trend setter, a maverick, who, no doubt, will put his mark on the Daily News from day one.”
Wischnowski announced several other key appointments at The Inquirer. Mike Leary, Inquirer Managing Editor since 2007, will serve in a new masthead position as Investigations Editor, managing the paper’s award-winning investigative team. Sandy Clark, Inquirer Arts & Features Editor, will become Deputy Managing Editor for Features and Operations, overseeing nine feature sections, in addition to the news and copy desks. Avery Rome, Inquirer Assistant Managing Editor for Projects the past two years, will become Deputy Managing Editor for Writing and Projects, serving as the staff’s writing coach and supervising a handful of news departments and projects. Remaining on The Inquirer masthead are Tom McNamara, Deputy Managing Editor for Sundays, Business and Sports; and Gabe Escobar, Metropolitan Editor, overseeing the city, suburban, South New Jersey coverage as well as the paper’s online breaking news team.
“I’m very much looking forward to working closely with Stan and The Inquirer leadership team,” Days said. “Stan and I forged a friendship over the past two years as we have worked on many projects that have benefited both The Inquirer and Daily News. Along the way, we realized we shared a passion for journalistic excellence and the urgency of keeping our craft relevant in the digital age.”
“I grew up reading the Daily News and I’m honored to become part of its inspirational tradition, and to be part of the Philadelphia Media Network of iconic brands,” said Platt. “We’re going to be the voice of all Philadelphians, we’re going to take the issues that confront this city seriously, but not take ourselves too seriously, and we’re going to speak truth to power. If you miss a day of the Daily News, you’re going to feel like you missed out on what everybody’s talking about.”
“Our mission is to become the most successful regional media company in the United States. Today’s editorial announcements put us in a more formidable position to achieve this goal,” said Osberg.
