By: Mark Fitzgerald In a full page ad in Sunday's Chicago Sun-Times, Sun-Times Media Group Chairman and CEO Cyrus F. Freidheim Jr. "welcomed" new Tribune Co. chief Sam Zell to the newspaper industry with reminders about the bare-knuckled history of the city's newspaper wars, and gentle warning that the tabloid will remain a competitor.
"Welcome to the newspaper business -- after 60-plus years of experience, we endorse your idea that money can be made," Freidheim wrote, noting that the Chicago Sun was launched by retailer Marshall Field III "as a counterweight to Co. Robert McCormick's rather unique views of the world."
"We applaud your view that newspapers are not dead," Freidheim wrote. "You're right. And the Chicago Sun-Times is providing that to 875,000 readers in the city of Chicago alone every week -- the biggest readership (actually larger than yours, Sam) in the city."
The ad appears as Sun-Times Media Group is preparing to lop $50 million from its operating costs by June, the biggest reduction in its history and one that is expected to cause layoffs in big numbers.
"We agree newspapers are going to have to change rapidly to better address how our customers get the news," Freidheim wrote. "We are on that path already and delighted that you will be there doing what you can with the Tribune Company."
In a P.S. to the "Dear Sam" letter, Freidheim wrote: "We would have taken this ad in your paper, but your rates are too high."
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