Mizell Stewart III has been named vice president of content for the Scripps newspaper group, effective Jan. 23. As chief content officer, Stewart will be responsible for developing content strategy and directly overseeing the creation, curation and production of news, information and entertainment for print and digital platforms in the 13 Scripps newspaper markets. All Scripps editors will report directly to him.

 

Since 2007, Stewart served as editor of the Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press. During his time, the paper was named Indiana’s best daily newspaper for 2011 by the Hoosier State Press Association, earning the Blue Ribbon Award. The paper was a finalist for the same award in 2009 and 2010. 

 

Previously, he was managing editor of the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal, returning to the newspaper in 2006. Stewart also held a number of newsroom management posts in Akron from 1994 to 2000.

 

In 2005, while serving in a corporate role with Knight Ridder, Stewart served as acting managing editor of The (Biloxi) Sun-Herald, supervising day-to-day coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Sun Herald’s effort was recognized in 2006 with the Pulitzer Gold Medal for Public Service.

 

He was managing editor of the Tallahassee Democrat during the 2000 presidential recount in Florida.  He coordinated coverage that captured national and worldwide attention and was named editor of the paper in 2003.

 

His early pursuits in the industry included working as a reporter in Springfield, Ohio, and then as a reporter and local news editor for the Dayton Daily News. He even had a stint as a radio personality in Toledo, Ohio.

 

Stewart is a board member for the American Society of News Editors.