The Chicago Reader promotes Amber Nettles to associate publisher

Amber Nettles

The Chicago Reader is proud to announce Amber Nettles as associate publisher. Nettles has been with the Reader since 2020, most recently as senior vice president of growth and strategy.

“I can’t think of a better person than Amber to take this role,” said Solomon Lieberman, CEO and publisher. “Not only does Amber have the right combination of experience and skills, but she truly loves the Reader and the community it serves. We’re damn lucky to have her.”

Nettles joined the Chicago Reader, a publication of the Reader Institute for Community Journalism, as sales director in July 2020, during a period of upheaval and declining revenues. Nettles was promoted to vice president of sales and business development in November 2021, and senior vice president of growth and strategy in September 2022. During her time at the Reader, Nettles has expanded product lines, including branded content, has overseen a revenue recovery and increase from 2019, and was responsible for numerous improvements in digital, marketing, and sales processes.

“When I was hired, it felt like the dream job — in an incredibly difficult situation, considering the pandemic’s effects on advertising revenue,” Nettles said. “I cannot express how thankful I am for the leadership team and the staff, and how much I’m looking forward to this new chapter.”

Originally from Virginia, Nettles was hired in 2005 as a copy editor for the Daily Press, a Chicago Tribune-owned newspaper based in Newport News. In 2011 she joined Entercom Communications (now known as Audacy) as a social media strategist, and later shifted her focus to sales. Before arriving at the Reader, Nettles also worked at the Center for Sales Strategy and the Chicago Tribune.

Nettles serves as the revenue chair on the board of directors for the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. Nettles is the former Chicago chapter president and executive director of the nonprofit Women in Comedy and spends time producing and performing in comedy and storytelling shows across the city. She lives in Logan Square with her two rescue cats, Phantom and Picasso.