Union-Tribune editor to step down

Karin Winner, the respected editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune, told staff today that she plans to step down at the end of the year after 15 years on the job.

Winner leaves after a year of turmoil at the newspaper, which lost a substantial portion of its newsroom after being sold to a private equity firm from Beverly Hills.

The paper's publisher, Ed Moss, formerly the head of the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, said the paper will begin an immediate search for Winner's replacement.

From the U-T:

Winner began her career in 1976 as a reporter at The San Diego Union, rising through the management ranks and assuming the role of executive editor of the newly merged San Diego Union-Tribune in 1992 (the merger of The San Diego Union and Evening Tribune). Three years later, she took on the lead role of editor of the county’s largest daily newspaper.

The paper won two Pulitzer Prizes during Winner's reign, in 2006 and in 2009.

Daily Breeze/Press-Telegram publisher heads to San Diego*

Mark Ficarra, who for the last 17 months served as publisher of the Torrance Daily Breeze and Long Beach Press-Telegram, announced today that he is leaving to become VP of sales and marketing at the San Diego Union-Tribune. Here's the memo to employees:

Fellow employees,

I wanted to let you know with this short note that I'll be leaving my position as publisher of the Daily Breeze and Press-Telegram. I've accepted a position as the vice president of sales and marketing at The San Diego Union-Tribune. I’ll remain at the company over the next few weeks.

The past 17 months that we've gone through together have been challenging but rewarding. We've weathered a severe economic downturn yet, through your hard work, we've put ourselves in a strong position for the months and years ahead. I can't tell you how proud I am of the work and dedication I've witnessed during my tenure here. I'm privileged to have had this opportunity, and thank you for all your efforts.

Mark

Ficarra is the second LANG executive to take a top job at the Union-Tribune since the San Diego paper was acquired by Platinum Equity. Last month, Ed Moss resigned as president and publisher of the nine-newspapers LANG chain to takeover as publisher of the Union-Tribune.

*Update: The Daily Breeze business section has more on Ficarra's departure. LANG has yet to name a replacement.

Goodbye, Daily News; farewell, Union-Tribune

Former Daily News editor Ron Kaye remembers without an ounce of fondness the man who fired him, Ed Moss. Yesterday Moss announced he was resigning his post as publisher of the Daily News and president of LANG to take over as publisher of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Kaye writes:

Sending Moss to fix a struggling paper is like sending a mortician to treat an ailing patient. He will do the only thing he knows how to do: Cut, and cut, and cut some more: When he's done with his handiwork, the U-T will be ready for embalming and burial much like the Daily News is. ...

In his 23 months at the Daily News, the editorial staff -- already reduced by half in previous years -- was slashed by two-thirds. There's now only nine news reporters and a staff of barely 40 to produce the paper which has shrunk to the point most days that it gives new meaning to the idea of a fast-read newspaper.

Almost every department of the paper from circulation to sales has been eliminated or gutted to the point of dysfunction. ...

My heart goes out to my colleagues still at the Daily News every time I pick up the paper and see what Moss' leadership has done to it. Somehow I hope it will be different in San Diego but I doubt it.

*The Union-Tribune has published a short bio on Ed Moss.

Hamilton named LANG president

The Los Angeles Newspaper Group has promoted Fred Hamilton to become president of the nine-newspaper chain. Hamilton had served as president and publisher of LANG's Inland Division. He replaces Ed Moss, who resigned to become publisher of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

In addition, Liz Gaier, who served for a time as publisher of the Daily Breeze, will take over as interim publisher of the Los Angeles Daily News.

The company memo follows:

Los Angeles Newspaper Group (LANG) today announced the promotion of Fred Hamilton to President. Hamilton, previously President and Publisher of the Inland Division of LANG, replaces Ed Moss, who resigned to become Publisher of the San Diego Union Tribune. Hamilton brings more than 25 years of experience in the newspaper industry to this position, having previously served as publisher of several newspapers in the Western United Sates prior to joining the Los Angeles Newspaper Group.

“Ed Moss did a terrific job for us as head of LANG, and we are sorry to see him go,” said Steve Rossi, President and CEO of California Newspapers Partnership, of which LANG is a part. “However, we are fortunate that Fred Hamilton is ideally suited and prepared for the top Position in LANG.”

In addition, Liz Gaier, MediaNews Group’s Senior Vice President of Business Development, was named interim Publisher of the Los Angeles Daily News. In addition to her corporate experience, Liz has considerable experience in newspaper operations, including a recent assignment as Publisher of the Torrance Daily Breeze.

*Update: The Union-Tribune gathers Moss.