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On the same day that Tribune announced it is selling the New York edition of Hoy to La Opinión's parent, the Los Angeles version of the Spanish-language newspaper gets a big hug from the LAT. Hoy editor Javier J. Aldape has been named general manager and editor for Hoy-LA, and also vice president of the Los Angeles Times Media Group for Audience Development. In other words, he's now on the team that will help the Times try to figure out why so few Latinos bother with the paper. Or as publisher David Hiller puts it, "Javier will also work closely with Jim O'Shea, and our colleagues all across the company in helping to identify other opportunities to grow audience among the diverse communities in Los Angeles, and across all of The Times' products and services." Hiller's memo to the troops is after the jump.
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 9:17 AM
Subject: New General Manager and Editor of Hoy-LA
Folks,
You know that audience growth across multiple channels is a top priority for our future success. We have made several organizational changes that will help move us toward our vision of a true multimedia enterprise, integrating print and online efforts along the lines suggested by our Spring Street Project. Today we are building on that momentum as we re-organize and invest to better serve our diverse communities.
Javier J. Aldape has been named General Manager and Editor for Hoy-LA, and also Vice President of the Los Angeles Times Media Group for Audience Development to help lead The Times' overall initiatives to serve the vast and diverse communities that are our world in Los Angeles. Javier will report to me and will be a great addition to our management team.
As the editor of all Hoy editions since 2004, Javier has had a central role in building Hoy. He is a talented editor of both Spanish and English journalism, as well as an innovative business leader with a keen eye for identifying the changing needs of readers and advertisers.
With these moves, we are making Hoy an integral part of the Los Angeles Times Media Group. This is a vast and diverse market, and we have to invest to reflect and serve all of our communities. Hoy is going to be the best choice for people in our communities who want to get their news and information in Spanish. Every department and all of us will have the opportunity to help make Hoy successful - we are printing the paper in our plants, we are distributing it, we are including Hoy in our multi-product advertising solutions, we are helping promote it, handling billing and finances. In short, we are embracing Hoy as a full member of our media family.
In a related role as Vice President for Audience Development, Javier will also work closely with Jim O'Shea, and our colleagues all across the company in helping to identify other opportunities to grow audience among the diverse communities in Los Angeles, and across all of The Times' products and services. A full press release is attached.
In other news, you may have heard that Tribune Publishing announced the sale of the New York edition of Hoy to ImpreMedia, LLC, which also owns La Opinion here in Los Angeles. That move was based on considerations specific to the New York market and Newsday's current priorities. That decision has no bearing on our commitment to Hoy here in Los Angeles and, as should be clear from the moves we are announcing here today, we are investing in and enthusiastic about Hoy's future.
Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Javier and the larger Hoy-LA team.
David