The Philadelphia Media Network LLC, parent company of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com has named Terry Egger as its new publisher and CEO last Monday, according to a report from Philly.com.
The new publisher plans to bring urgency in maximizing revenue, while maintaining the journalistic mission of the news entities.
Egger, who previously led the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, said that the company's core competency is journalism, and that should be the focus in increasing revenue, according to Philly.com.
"We have to remember that it's about the journalism we do, and the news and information we produce every day, and its value to readers and users," he said. "That is our core competency, and we need to monetize that."
Philly.com adds that Egger said the Philadelphia Media Network has a massive audience through its multiple online platforms, digital products, and newspaper.
Egger estimates that the company has 1.8 million adults a week in the eight-county area. He said they need to turn that into revenue.
Philly.com adds that Egger takes over a news company that has fought to keep its journalism strong while facing steep declines in circulation and advertising revenue.
The company has struggled to adapt and establish a foothold in an ever-changing digital landscape.
When asked if he plans to reduce staff at the company's news entities, Egger said that next year will be tough financially and "we may have to make adjustments," according to Philly.com.
In an interview with the Plain Dealer in 2010, Egger said that it is not "easy to fire people," but if it's an issue with performance, then "people have fired themselves."
"It's more difficult when it's an economic circumstance and you need to reduce expenses because revenues have softened," he added. "You're trying to make sure your whole organization stays viable for the long term."
"Sometimes you just have to make the tough call," he said during the 2010 interview with the Plain Dealer.
A separate report from Cleveland Plain Dealer said that Egger joined the company on May 22, 2006, after being president and publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch since 1999.
He also held marketing and advertising jobs in Tucson, Arizona and Southern California.
The announcement of the change came from the current publisher H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest, according to Philly.com.
Lenfest will still remain active in the company's strategic planning and will still be part of its board of directors.
