Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, a fifth-generation member of the founding Ochs-Sulzberger family, has been named deputy publisher of the
New York Times
. “The appointment positions him to succeed his father as publisher and chairman of The New York Times Company,”
the
Times
reported.
Sulzberger, 36, the son of Arthur Sulzberger Jr., was one of three family candidates for the position. The others were his cousins Sam Dolnick, 35, and David Perpich, 39. The selection was announced earlier than expected; the company had said the decision would come by May, the article said.
Sulzberger, who will be known as A.G. to avoid confusion with his father, had been a national desk reporter and a reporter and editor on the metro desk. He led the team that drafted a 2014 “innovation report” on the company's digital future, the article said.
“The family trustees and the Times Company's board approved the appointment after a unanimous recommendation from a seven-member committee, which was formed as part of a formal selection process intended to ensure an even playing field for family members,” the article said. “In previous succession choices there had been tension in the family over the perception that sons in the Sulzberger line held an advantage.” Arthur Sulzberger Jr. did not serve on the selection committee and did not review written memos submitted by the candidates, the report said.
The selection committee consisted of two board members, three senior executives and two family trustees, the article said.
“By all accounts, the competition for the job was cordial,” the
Times
report said.
Sulzberger is being promoted “at a crucial moment for The Times,” the article said. A report on how the company will be restructured “for a digital and mobile future” is scheduled for release soon, and “a downsizing of the newsroom looms early next year,” the
Times
article said. In addition, executive editor Dean Baquet, 60, is expected to step down within the next five years, the article said. (Source:
New York Times
, Oct. 19, 2016.)
-
1348 reads