Wasser Named Executive Editor at MaineToday Media
Scott Wasser has been named by MaineToday Media publisher Richard Connor as the new executive editor of the Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel, according to sources at the Press Herald. Wasser was introduced to staff at the Portland paper yesterday and today.
Wasser had been the managing editor and vice president for news of Connor’s Pennsylvania daily, the Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre.
Wasser has worked at the Times Leader off and on since 1983, when he was hired as sports editor. He eventually rose to become the assistant general manager and online editor, before leaving in 2000 for a series of journalism and public relations jobs. He returned to the paper in 2008.
In addition to his editorial and managerial duties at the Times Leader, Wasser writes a weekly car column and has contributed articles to Road & Track and other automotive publications.
Wasser was said to be in a meeting with editors at the Press Herald this morning and could not be reached for comment. Neither Connor nor spokesman Dennis Bailey immediately returned calls inquiring about the appointment.
Al Diamon can be e-mailed at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
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Okay, the hiring of this guy
Okay, the hiring of this guy Wasser is newsworthy, and perhaps a bit dubious, but that tidbit isn't half as frightening as the news that Jeannine Guttman is now on the federal payroll, courtesy of Susan Collins. To think that my tax dollars, and all of yours, are now paying Guttman's salary. Collins is in for an eye-opening experience with this hire.
Guttman has landed
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=264249&ac=PHnws
confusion about the time element
Staff actually met him on the first day of the new ownership.
You're kind of behind on this one. More than a week.
reliability of sources
I agree that Wasser's position at the paper is important. But if Al's sources are telling him that Wasser first met staff this week, they are confused or not paying attention.
As for lack of a press release, do you really need one if you have decent sources? It's no secret that Wasser has been at the paper.
Maybe Al is late by a week,
Maybe Al is late by a week, but the company has yet to issue a press release on the appointment. Most of us found out Thursday morning when Wasser's name appeared on the editorial page.
I hope he can rein in Naomi Schalit's tendency to write puff pieces under the guise of editorials. Some of them - like today's "Liquid sunshine" - is sheer crap.
Al's also behind on the news
Al's also behind on the news that Jeannine Guttman has a new job. Perhaps he should try reading the PPH website. It was there this afternoon.
Well done Rich Connor. Well done indeed.
This is terrific news. The new executive editor of the largest newspaper company in the state of Maine spent most of the last 10 years in PR, writing for trade magazines, and reviewing cars. A most impressive hire. I'm sure he's enjoying his very first visit to the Pine TRee State.
The good news here is the newspaper business hasn't changed much at all in the last decade so a guy who has been writing about TV remote controls, big screens and Blue Ray discs should be up to speed in no time.
Classic.
Jumping for joy.
Car dealers throughout Maine are celebrating this appointment. GM has rescinded dealer closures in response to Wasser's appointment. Fitting that a car review guy is named the ME, as the papers will soon resemble auto shoppers.
Wow! The new guy probably
Wow! The new guy probably hasn't even found the men's room at the PPH yet, or figured out how to get to the KJ and the Sentinel, and already he's getting slammed. Some folks just aren't happy unless they're moaning and groaning about something or other. This reminds me of the Obama haters who were calling for the president's impeachment within a month of the inauguration.
Qualified. Prepared. Able.
To 12:35 PM
Above are attributes President Obama brought to the job.
Not so Wasser. Wasser has been MIA for a decade from the most volatile and fast-changing industries in the US. Wasser has no knowledge of Maine, let alone Portland, Augusta and Waterville. Wasser has no local news background at a time when all three of the MaineToday papers need to be relentlessly local and reflective of their communities or go dark.
Connor owns the joint and he do what he wants. He can hire and fire as he pleases. He can trumpet the giveaway of paper on the front page. He can consult swamis from Eastport to Bombay. And the market will react accordingly.
Newspaper experience?
Seems to me that "missing the boat" has been job #1 for all those terribly experienced newspaper folks for quite some time now.
Perhaps quality forward thinking and effective management skills - from any field - are what's needed now. Or is it simply change that frightens you?
Why don't we just wait a day or two and see how things unfold?
(And, btw, don't use that tired Obama spin as a point of logic.)
Methinks Munjoy the
Methinks Munjoy the Magnificent has resurfaced, to regale us with his wisdom and wit. At least that's what my swami tells me after reading the above post, which has that certain something that suggests it is a missive from Munjoy.
Don't Cloud the Issue with Sentimentality
Owning these papers was never, ever about quality journalism, ethical reporting, or improving news in Maine dailies. That was the spin...S P I N. The purchase was — and is — about the real estate and those who stand to make millions by flipping real estate under the guise of breathing new life into the newspapers. Won't happen. Can't, clearly, with a pr flack at the helm and, worse, one that knows nothing of Maine. (Bailey would have been vastly preferred in this role — here's hoping Otten's already signed him up as campaign manager.) Perhaps, however, we will see current newspaper owners take stock and recognize there is still opportunity and need in Portland.
real estate
There are easier ways to buy real estate than negotiating with three unions over a period of many months, spending 14 months tyring to win financing and equity investors, buying a business in crisis and with significant liabilities, and negotiationg a complicated employee stock ownership plan.
Give me a break.
Dennis Bailey would have
Dennis Bailey would have been "vastly preferred" for the job of executive editor of the PPH, KJ and Sentinel? By whom? Dennis Bailey?