Grand Rapids, Mich.--Paul M. Keep, the editor of The Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press and a journalist with extensive experience in Michigan newspapers, will lead the production of MLive Media Group’s eight newspapers. As the executive editor of print, Keep will work with a statewide copy desk in producing the print editions of The Press, AnnArbor.com, The Bay City Times, The Flint Journal, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Kalamazoo Gazette, Muskegon Chronicle and The Saginaw News.
Keep has served as the top newsroom editor in Bay City, Flint and Muskegon, as well as Grand Rapids. He started his journalism career in 1983 as a reporter at the Kalamazoo Gazette, and later served as business editor and assistant metro editor there.
Keep is uniquely qualified for this new leadership role, MLive Media Group President Dan Gaydou said. “The core value of our company is to do great journalism. Paul has been the chief editorial officer at four of our newspapers and has distinguished himself with every assignment. His familiarity with Michigan will bring tremendous value to his position overseeing the make-up and quality of all our print products.”
Keep also brings a keen understanding of print newspapers and how to innovate in the print form, particularly in a digital era, said John Hiner, vice president of content for MLive Media Group.
“He’s always been an editor who goes to great lengths to reach out to the reader,” Hiner said. “He cares very deeply about our readers and our communities.”
The statewide copy desk will be in Grand Rapids, but Keep said news coverage decisions for each community will be made locally.
Keep will also be responsible for a new statewide high school sports desk that will provide comprehensive coverage for all eight newspapers and supplement the local sports reporting that will continue to be done in each community.
MLive Media Group, which launches Feb. 2, is a digital-first company that encompasses content, sales and marketing operations of MLive.com, AnnArbor.com and Booth Newspapers.
“While our new company is digital first, it is not forgetting that many of its customers still prefer to receive their news in print form,” Keep said. “I expect to see MLive Media Group publishing print editions for many years to come, and my focus is to make them the best they can be for our readers.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here