• by Ray Schultz , January 19, 2023

Deseret News Publishing Company has named Burke Olsen as publisher of the Utah publication, the newspaper reports. 

Olsen replaces Robin Ritch, who was president and publisher for almost two years. Ritch is leaving to pursue other career opportunities. 

In addition, Hal Boyd was named editor of the Deseret News, adding to his current duties as executive editor of Deseret Magazine. Doug Wilks will remain as executive editor of Deseret News, a role he has held since 2021. 

In addition to launching a magazine, Deseret News has moved from being a daily print paper to publishing twice a week. But the publication, which was founded in 1850 by Latter-day Saint pioneers, has increased its digital reach by millions of new visitors per month. 

Olsen was head digital officer of Deseret News for six years. Prior to that, he served as  general manager and content director for the company’s websites and apps. Previously, he worked for the Pew Research Center.

Boyd, a former opinion editor and reporter for Deseret News, recently worked as a faculty member at Brigham Young University.

““We’ve been at this even longer than The New York Times, and we each feel a charge to honor and build on that legacy of excellence and commitment to truth,” Boyd says. 

In another shift, Sarah Jane Weaver, editor of Church News, is taking on elevated responsibilities as the publication adds language translations and is increasing global distribution.