Star Tribune elevates Christine Fruechte to chair of board of directors

Star Tribune Media Co., Minnesota’s largest media company, has announced it has named Christine Fruechte its new chair of the board of directors. Fruechte takes the reins from Mike Klingensmith, who is retiring following a 13-year tenure as publisher and CEO at the Star Tribune.

Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Fruechte brings more than 30 years of strategic marketing and business management experience working with many of the world’s most iconic brands. Since 2008, her people-first leadership of Minneapolis creative agency Colle McVoy has led to international acclaim, record growth and recognition as a top destination for talented professionals. She has also served on the Star Tribune board for four years.

Fruechte is a popular speaker and resource for national media and influential organizations such as the 4A’s (the American Association of Advertising Agencies), Advertising Week and Harvard Business School. She has been profiled in The New York Times and was named one of Adweek’s “Women Trailblazers”; one of Ad Age’s Women to Watch; a Working Mother of the Year by She Runs It; and one of the 4A’s 100 People Who Make Advertising Great. She is also the recipient of the 2016 Alumni Award for Excellence from the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota.

In addition to the board of directors for the Star Tribune, Fruechte serves as a board member of the Wenger Corporation and the 4A’s. She previously held board positions with DecoPac, Inc., Tastefully Simple, The BrandLab, Cultural Jambalaya, Free Arts Minnesota and the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery.

“The Star Tribune has been a trusted source of news connecting Minnesotans to what matters most for more than 150 years, helping us stay informed, inspired, and engaged with our world and community,” Fruechte said. “It has been a privilege to serve alongside such a committed team of world-class pros like Scott Burns, Leigh Hart, David Kristal, Channon Lemon, and, of course, Glen Taylor and Mike Klingensmith. I’m excited to play an expanded role with the Star Tribune as we welcome Steve Grove as publisher and CEO.”

“We’re very fortunate to have a proven executive of Christine’s caliber leading our board,” said Glen Taylor, owner of Star Tribune Media Co. “Her experience and vision will help us immensely in navigating a challenging environment for media organizations. I join the board in welcoming her leadership and commitment to our readers and advertisers.”

About Star Tribune Media Company:

Star Tribune Media Company LLC is a locally owned, award-winning media company serving Minnesota and the upper Midwest. With the fourth-largest Sunday and thirdlargest daily circulation metro print newspaper in the U.S., more than 100,000 digital subscribers, a range of digital and home-delivered advertising solutions, and a growing portfolio of events, Star Tribune reaches more consumers than any other Minnesota media brand. For more information, visit www.startribunecompany.com.