'Los Angeles Times' Names Russ Stanton New Top Editor

By: Joe Strupp The Los Angeles Times has named Russ Stanton, the paper's current innovation editor, its new top editor. He replaces Jim O'Shea, who left in January after just 14 months on the job.

"This is a critical period for The Times -- in fact for all news media -- as we change and grow, and show we can sustain the future of one of the truly great news franchises in America. Now we have completed our ownership transition with Sam Zell, we have a new leadership lineup to take The Times forward, and it?s time to make things happen,? Times Publisher David D. Hiller said in a statement.

?Russ Stanton combines great personal leadership, communication skills, the highest journalistic standards and a commitment to excellence, and has been championing much of our work to become a truly multimedia news organization that?s a relevant and engaging part of the 24-hour-a-day world of news and information.?

Innovation Editor since February 2007, Stanton previously served as Business Editor and joined the paper in 1997 as a reporter in the Orange County edition. He has also been Orange County Business Editor, Technology Editor and Deputy Business Editor.

?I am very honored and very humbled to be named editor of this terrific newsroom, and I am looking forward to working with my dedicated colleagues to continue producing a first-rate newspaper and website,? Stanton said in a release.

A Times Web story on the appointed stated that the choice of Stanton signaled "a push toward a more digital newsroom," adding that Hiller picked Stanton, 49, "over two other in-house candidates: Times Managing Editor John Arthur, 60, and Editorial Page Editor Jim Newton, 44."

"Stanton will lead a newsroom chafing from the exit of its third editor in less than three years and worried about staff cuts announced this week," the story noted. "Former Editor James E. O'Shea and Hiller parted ways Jan. 21 after a disagreement over the editorial budget."

Stanton's promotion also comes a day after Tribune Company, the Times owners, announced a companywide job cut that could top 500 positions, including as many as 150 at the Times.

In other personnel moves, Jack Klunder has been named to the newly created position of president, Los Angeles Times Newspapers, and will be responsible for leading The Times core print business. "Klunder?s oversight will include circulation and operations and he will be responsible for working across company departments, including editorial, advertising and marketing," a release said.

Bob Bellack becomes President, Development and Digital Media and Rob Barrett, becomes Senior Vice President, Interactive, "to lead all initiatives to ensure aggressive growth of LATMG?s multimedia and online operations. Bellack is charged with overseeing development efforts, including acquisitions, partnerships and new mobile and digital growth arenas. In addition, Bellack will head up Classified advertising, with a focus on Web-based recruitment, real estate, and automotive categories. Barrett will also continue in his role as General Manager, latimes.com, reporting to Bellack," the release said.