Reorganization announced by The Oklahoma Publishing Co.

From Staff Reports

Published: October 21, 2007

A major reorganization designed to enhance how news, information and advertising are delivered by The Oklahoma Publishing Co. was announced today by Christy Everest, chairman of OPUBCO.

David Thompson is now president of OPUBCO Communications Group and publisher of The Oklahoman, Everest said. "I am confident in David's ability to lead us through this changing media climate. He is forward thinking and has the right team.”

All news, information and advertising services are now under OPUBCO Communications Group which has been in place for multimedia and advertising for more than a year, Thompson said.

Chris Reen, vice president of sales and marketing, is now the executive vice president of OPUBCO Communications Group.

Reen will oversee four departments including news and information, advertising and marketing, audience development and a newly created department titled community engagement.

Ed Kelley will continue as editor of The Oklahoman. Sue Hale, executive editor, is now the vice president of community engagement. Kelly Fry, vice president of multimedia, is now vice president of news and information, combining both NewsOK.com and The Oklahoman news and information center into a single department focusing on content development across multiple platforms.

"The Oklahoman continues to be our crown jewel,” Thompson said. "However, NewsOK.com has moved to the forefront of Internet news and information for our state.”

"We are excited that Chris Reen has accepted the opportunity to play a key role, along with Ed Kelley and Kelly Fry, in continuing our growth and diversification of products.

"Harmonizing our business, editorial, Web and technical assets is key to our success as the media landscape undergoes unprecedented change and we morph into a more dynamic business,” said Reen.

"Our readers want their news and advertising on demand. We provide that and will continue to do so, the device on which it is received does not matter.

"Kelly Fry and her team have drawn national acclaim to our Web site, NewsOK.com. With her digital expertise, Fry can enhance and expand our content across multiple platforms.

"As a third generation Oklahoma journalist, she has respect for the role we play in both our community and state. She is a great fit to lead our news coverage into new arenas.”

Regarding Hale's new role, Reen said, "Hale has worked tirelessly across the state to build coalitions. She has touched everything from disaster relief, to the arts, to economic development, to health care.”

"Sue Hale is the right person to develop a digital solution for the many areas of our community and state which will move us beyond news as we build out Oklahoma's marketplace for information and knowledge. Her focus will include social networking, topical communities, data integration, online networks and partnerships and a statewide community calendar.”

In other restructuring, print production and circulation will be under Vice President of Operations Pat Dennis. Internal service departments, finance, human resources and building services, will now roll up under Vice President of Finance and Shared Services Brian Szymanski.