'Newsday' Names Krenek Editor; Mancini Resigns

By: E&P Staff Newsday announced Friday that Debby Krenek has been appointed editor in chief, succeeding John Mancini (who resigned). She also becomes executive vice president of digital media with oversight of Newsday.com. Krenek is currently managing editor and senior vice president of digital media. She reports to Publisher Terry Jimenez.

Krenek started with Newsday in 2001 as associate editor for special projects after serving as editor in chief of the New York Daily News.

"Debby Krenek is a gifted editorial leader with a clear sense of our journalistic mission and the role Newsday plays on Long Island," Tad Smith, Cablevision president of local media, said in a statement. "She also has a strong understanding of the opportunities that exist on the web, having successfully led Newsday's digital transformation. With this combined expertise, she is the ideal person to lead Newsday in the next phase of its development as we further our position as the first and most important choice for Long Islanders."

Memos regarding Mancini's departure follow:

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December 11, 2009

TO: Newsroom staff

FROM: John Mancini



It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you over the past five years as editor.

Now, I have decided to leave Newsday to pursue new opportunities.

Please accept my deepest thanks for your dedication, support and friendship over the many years I have been lucky enough to work at the paper.

One of the editorial staff's great strengths is resilience. The challenges are daily, your goals are ambitious and the product of your labor is vital to our readers. You have yet to fail them.

I ask that you continue to aim high and do all you can to help the newsroom's leaders in the coming weeks and months.

I leave Newsday with hope for the future but also much sadness.

It is no exaggeration to say you have meant the world to each of us who had the great good fortune to occupy the editor's chair.


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December 11, 2009


Dear fellow Newsday employees,

After five years as our editor and 20 years with our company, John Mancini has informed us of his decision to leave Newsday. John's tenure here has been marked by many distinguished achievements, as he has skillfully guided our newsroom through one of the most challenging times in the history of the newspaper industry. He will be missed.

John has been responsible for leading a team that has delivered outstanding news products. With both our print and interactive media, his innovations in design and presentation, his courage and insight with regard to special coverage, and his overall leadership of our news team, day in and day out, have been exceptional. He has kept Newsday focused on what matters most to Long Islanders with coverage of issues such as the wasteful abuses of the state pension system and special taxing districts; the impact of Alzheimer's on Long Island families and the Long Island Railroad gap, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

In addition to overseeing some of Newsday's best journalism, John also helped us to adapt to a swiftly changing media landscape. The paper's home delivery circulation growth and strong readership penetration are testaments not only to his abilities as an editor, but also as a thoughtful, skilled executive. John has agreed to stay on as a consultant to assist me with a number of special projects.

Effective today, Debby Krenek is assuming the position of editor in chief and executive vice president of Digital Media. Having served most recently as Newsday's managing editor and senior vice president of Digital Media, Debby steps into this role with the skill, respect and experience earned from a long career in the news business.

Debby joined Newsday in 2001 as associate editor for special projects, following a successful career at New York Daily News, which included a 3-year run as editor in chief. During the past eight years, she has worked her way through Newsday's ranks and was most recently responsible for leading the development and launch of newsday.com's pioneering Web model.

I know each of you will join me in thanking John for his many contributions, and in applauding Debby on her exciting new role.

A letter from John to his staff and a press release announcing Debby's appointment are attached.

Sincerely,

Terry