'Athens Banner-Herald' Publisher Retires

Posted Monday, January 5, 2009 12:00 am

By: Athens Banner-Herald publisher Jeff Wilson -- a former Alaskan -- is retiring, wrapping up a four-decade career in newspapers.

Wilson started his career as a 19-year-old ad salesman in Augusta in 1967. He also spent 20 years in Alaska as publisher of the Juneau Empire before returning to Georgia to take the helm of the Banner-Herald, where he's been for the last 13 years.

Wilson said he's seen many changes over his 41 years in the newspaper business, most notably the shift to online readership.

Though print circulation dropped during his tenure, Wilson said he still believes print editions of newspapers are relevant. He cited Barack Obama's election as president in November as an example of a time when people rushed out to buy print editions.

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'Athens Banner-Herald' Publisher Retires

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