• by Sara Guaglione , January 16, 2019

Hearst has promoted Mark Medici, executive vice president-CMO, Hearst Newspapers, to president of the Houston Chronicle.

Medici will report to John McKeon, president of Hearst Texas Newspapers and publisher of the Houston Chronicle, effective immediately. He will be responsible for all business operations, as well as retain his group role in overseeing consumer-marketing strategy.

Hearst has six other daily Texas newspapers: the San Antonio Express-News, Beaumont Enterprise, Laredo Morning Times, Midland Reporter-Telegram, Conroe Courier and Plainview Daily Herald.

It also publishes 30 weekly newspapers and 24 associated digital businesses, including Chron.com, HoustonChronicle.com, mySA.com and ExpressNews.com.

“The Chronicle is a pillar in our industry, and in a city like Houston, and a state like Texas, it is essential to have a strong independent news voice,” Medici stated.

Medici was tapped for his prior role in June 2018, overseeing the consumer marketing strategy for all Hearst Newspapers across platforms, as well as leading consumer revenue and marketing for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News.

He joined Hearst Newspapers from Cox Media Group, where he served as vice president, audience and newspaper operations.

Hearst Newspapers publishes 24 dailies and 64 weeklies, as well as operates digital marketing services and directories businesses under the LocalEdge brand.

Separately, The Dallas Morning News let go of 43 staffers earlier this month, including 20 newsroom employees, to make room for investments in technology and digital products.