Longtime staffer Cassidy Frazier has been announced as the new publisher of The Austin (Texas) Chronicle. Having started at the Chronicle in 1998 as a classified ad sales rep, Frazier has over 25 years of experience of working at Austin’s local, independent alt-weekly newspaper. Frazier has a proven track record of innovation, sales growth and leadership.
In her most recent position as associate publisher, Frazier established new revenue streams, created new community events and streamlined administrative processes to keep the paper pushing forward. Now she faces the obstacles of rising printing costs (thanks to the latest tariffs) and ongoing news media challenges. In her new role as publisher, Frazier will focus on audience growth and diversifying revenue streams, while being committed to the paper's journalistic legacy.
Frazier has been a board member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia since 2016 and currently serves as secretary.
In a letter to Chronicle readers, Cassidy Frazier states: “I have immense hope for the future of the Chronicle. We have no cold, timid souls here. Everyone on staff is in the arena with me. I’m both proud and humble to lead this team and to take the helm of such a vital voice in the community.”
Read her full letter here.
Nick Barbaro, Chronicle co-founder and publisher for 43 years, will continue as president of the Austin Chronicle Corporation, and will resume his role of canine chauffeur whenever the new Chronicle dog is identified.
From Nick Barbaro: “I first asked Cassidy to take over the role of publisher over a year ago. (In my mind, she'd actually been doing most of the work even before then.) She turned it down at that point, because frankly, the business side of the operation was such a mess that it wasn't clear what ‘success’ would even mean. We've gone through a lot of changes since then — from our forced relocation from the only office many of the staff had ever known, to the redesign of the paper, which went much deeper than the look and feel, to a complete overhaul of the financial systems.
“I'm proud that our editorial product has remained strong and steady throughout — all props to Editor Kim Jones, Art Director Zeke Barbaro, and a bunch of others for that. And a few weeks ago, Cassidy told me as we were leaving the office one evening that she was ready to become publisher. That's a role I've held for maybe 40 years, so from the outside, this may seem like a big deal. For Chronicle staffers though, it'll be business as usual, because like I said, Cassidy's been doing all the work for quite a while now. I'll still be around — as president of the Austin Chronicle Corporation, I'm still the one the IRS will come after, and my wife Susan isn't going to want me around the house all day — but it's officially Cassidy's baby now, and I get to be the proud grandpa.”
Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Kimberley Jones said: “Against incredible odds, Nick has kept our tiny, mighty paper afloat all these years. His example has inspired us all — to challenge authority, defend the underdog, celebrate what makes our city special, and have a lot of fun doing it. Cassidy and I both have benefited hugely from his mentorship and friendship. I’m so excited to see where her leadership takes us next.”
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