Chandler to Leave 'Boston Herald,' Convey Named Editor

By: E&P Staff Ken Chandler, editorial director of the Boston Herald, is leaving the paper to start a New York-based media relations company for corporate executives. Herald Editor Kevin Convey will succeed Chandler as editor-in-chief.

"Over the years, I've seen so many companies make needless mistakes when the media spotlight shines on them because they are unprepared and do not know how to act quickly and decisively to limit the damage," Chandler said in an announcement. "In the age of Internet with its instant deadlines, the need for sound advice has never been greater."

Chandler had been commuting to Boston from his home in Westchester County, N.Y., for the past three years. Last summer, Chandler and Publisher Patrick Purcell agreed that Chandler would return to New York at the end of the year to be with his family.

"Ken has been a friend, colleague and counselor for over 20 years," said Purcell in a statement. "His editorial instincts are second to none, and he makes every newspaper he touches more interesting and enjoyable. I want to thank Ken for his help over the past few years and wish him every success in this new endeavor."

Chandler stared his career at The Sun in the U.K. He then spent 30 years with News Corp., in Boston and New York -- serving twice as editor of the Herald -- and was also editor-in-chief and publisher of the New York Post. He was also executive producer of Fox TV's "A Current Affair" and was the founding editor of Star Magazine.

In 2003, Chandler returned to the Herald as a consulting editor and was appointed editorial director a year later.

Chandler will stay in his position through the end of the year.

Convey started with the Herald in 1981 as a business reporter. He has served as State House reporter, assistant city editor, city editor, executive city editor, and assistant managing editor of news. He worked briefly as an articles editor at Boston Magazine before returning to the paper in 1990.

In 2001, Convey was named editor in chief of Purcell's Community Newspaper Company. In 2004, he returned to the Herald as managing editor.

"Kevin is as smart as they come, and he's done a terrific job managing the day-to-day operations at the Herald," said Purcell in a statement. "The editor in chief position will broaden his responsibility to our entire newsgathering operation."

Convey will be responsible for the editorial direction of the paper.

"On the one hand, I aim to try to keep the paper vital in print by focusing on enterprise, attitude and pop culture as well as by maintaining its traditional strengths in news, sports and business," Convey said in a statement. "On the other hand, finding ways to translate the paper's particular appeal to the web is a key part of the job as well. And all of that has to be done in one of the most challenging business environments this industry has ever experienced."