<i>Star-Ledger</i> Gets New Publisher

Nobody can say that New Jersey's The Star-Ledger has made it out of this economic crisis unscathed. Far from it. In the past 18 months it's lost 200 staffers from buyouts, implemented pay cuts and decreased benefits and, as of September, lost its editor Jim Willse. Now Star-Ledger's publisher, George Arwady, will be leaving the paper to go to work for The Republican in Springfield, Mass., which is also owned by the Star-Ledger's parent company, Advance Publications (which also owns Condé Nast). Meanwhile, The Star-Ledger's new publisher will be Rich Vezza, president of Penn-Jersey Advance Newspapers. Arwardy said of his successor, "He's a real Jersey guy...a straight-shooter with a great sense of humor who will fit in well here." Full memo from Arwardy after the jump. Read More: Star-Ledger publisher's memo to staff -- Romenesko Larry McDermott, publisher of The Republican, announces retirement --Masslive.com Previously: Star-Ledger Editor Set To Retire, Star-Ledger Cuts Salaries, Benefits Dear Star-Ledger Colleagues: Effective at the end of the year, I will be leaving Newark to assume the publisher responsibilities at The Republican, our company's newspaper in Springfield, MA. Your new publisher will be Rich Vezza, president of Penn-Jersey Advance Newspapers. Rich, who is well-known to many of you, has been responsible for our company's daily newspapers in Jersey City, Gloucester, Bridgeton and Salem, N.J., as well as the daily in Easton, PA. He also has headed the company's NJN weekly newspapers, which include the Hunterdon Democrat, the Somerset Reporter, the Suburban News and the Independent Press. In his new position Rich will be seeking additional ways in which those newspapers can work together with The Star-Ledger and the Times of Trenton, as well as with our affiliate website, NJ.com. Each newspaper will retain its individual identity, while seeking collaboration that will help us weather these extremely challenging times for all newspapers. I know Rich well. He's a real Jersey guy, having spent a lifetime working in New Jersey newspapers, both in news and business operations. He's a straight-shooter with a great sense of humor who will fit in well here. I'm sure you'll give him the same full support and cooperation that I've enjoyed over the past 5 years. I want to express my great appreciation and admiration for all of you and your work here. The Star-Ledger is a great newspaper, and I'm proud to have worked with you to help keep it strong through these very challenging times. I always will value your friendship, and treasure our accomplishments here together. Thank you for everything, from the bottom of my heart. Sincerely, George Arwady

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Star-Ledger Gets New Publisher

Drew Grant

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