Syndicate Doesn't Renew Contract of Longtime Sales Exec John Matthews

By: Dave Astor John Matthews' contract as vice president/special sales was not renewed by Universal Press Syndicate, E&P learned today.

Matthews has become well-known to hundreds of newspaper editors, cartoonists, columnists, and others during his long career as a syndication sales executive. He joined Universal in 2003 after tenures at United Media (1991-2003) and Tribune Media Services (1974-1991).

When called today by E&P, the Seattle-based Matthews confirmed his contract wasn't renewed. He was notified of that on Aug. 4.

Matthews said he was "let go without cause," but declined to comment further about the possible reason Universal made the decision.

Lee Salem, president and editor of the Kansas City-based Universal, gave this reason when reached by phone today: "We thought it was an opportunity for us to move in one direction and give John an opportunity to move in another."

Salem also e-mailed this comment a few minutes after the phone interview: "John is a talented salesman and he brought much to Universal Press Syndicate. The syndicate's management team and John did not share the same vision and we think the decision was the proper one. Having said that, John's professionalism, his distinguished career, and his relationships with editors are exceptional and we wish him the very best."

And Salem said there are no plans at this time to replace Matthews.

What is Matthews doing now? "I was sitting home waiting for you to call," he quipped to E&P, before adding seriously: "Universal is paying me to the end of the year, so I have a 'no-compete' until then." That means he can't work for another syndicate -- if he chooses to do so and if he gets a job offer -- until 2009.