After five years of providing stability and support, Brad Harmon announces his departure as president of The Plain Dealer at the end of January. He leaves behind a legacy of growth and resilience, particularly during challenging times. The newsroom praises Harmon's unwavering support and respect for their work. The Plain Dealer's editor reflects on Harmon's contributions and the future direction of the newsroom.
Brad Harmon announced his departure at the end of January, leaving behind a legacy of support and growth during challenging times. Harmon began his tenure as president in 2019, providing the newsroom with the stability it desperately needed. For five years, he proved to be a remarkable partner to the content team and me, laying a solid foundation for our success. Harmon recently announced his decision to step down as president at the end of the month.
In a heartfelt address to the team, he expressed his honor in guiding the institution he held in high esteem but acknowledged his desire to explore new chapters in life. 'Advance has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to return home and manage this storied franchise. I am forever grateful,' he shared in a farewell note. 'While I am moving on, the friendships and collection of memories will last a lifetime.' Personally, I feel a pang of sadness about his departure. Harmon has been an unwavering source of support for the newsroom. He consistently offered assistance with expenses, hiring, and major projects, always standing by our side. He never suppressed a story nor blocked editorials when he disagreed with the Editorial Board's majority opinion. He respected our content processes and celebrated our achievements. Because Harmon is a year younger than me, I had always assumed he would be my final boss, but I understand his decision. Life is finite, and at 60, one begins contemplating unfinished business and seeking to tackle it. With nearly 45 years in this industry, he is eager for a change. Therefore, I express my public gratitude for all that Harmon has done for us, despite the formidable challenges we faced. He joined us just a couple of months before the pandemic forced us into remote work, yet he provided steady leadership and made a genuine effort to get to know us through virtual meetings. With his absence, I will assume the dual roles of editor and president, as I did for a few years before Harmon's arrival. A lot has transpired since then. Advance Local, our parent company, wisely strategized in 2018 to make newsrooms self-sufficient. It took a few years, but in 2023, for the first time, our newsroom generated sufficient revenue to cover its expenses, ensuring the sustainability of our independent voice. This self-sufficiency, however, necessitates a shift in our perspective. Editors now consider not only the content produced but also the financial implications in a way that previous generations did not. My role will not involve overseeing advertising sales, as Harmon did. Advance Local co-president Matt Kraner, who previously worked at The Plain Dealer, is leading the adaptation of sales practices across our company. He has a team far more knowledgeable than I am about sales to oversee this work, in collaboration with our sales lead, Patrick Jenkins. I will continue my current responsibilities: engaging with readers through daily text messages about our work, hosting and producing our daily 'Today in Ohio' podcast discussion, offering insights into our decisions through the weekly 'From the Editor' column, engaging in discussions with local leaders, and, most importantly, leading the newsroom. I anticipate the most significant change will be an increased emphasis on conversations with local leaders
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