IRVINE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Freedom Communications, Inc. today named independent director and media veteran
Burl Osborne as its Interim CEO, replacing Scott Flanders, who resigned to take
the CEO post at Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
Mr. Osborne has served on Freedom's Board of Directors since May 2004.
He was executive editor and then publisher of the Dallas Morning News from 1980
to 2001 and has been credited with building it into one of the top papers in the
country. He also held a number of positions, including president of the
publishing division, with the Belo Corporation, which is the parent company of
the Morning News.
Mr. Osborne was chairman of the board of the Associated Press from 2002 to 2007.
He also has served as chairman of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association
and as a director of the Newspaper Association of America.
"We all know these are challenging times for everyone in the media industry, but
what is exceptional about Freedom is the strength and consistency of its
commitment to its stakeholders and the communities it serves," Mr. Osborne said.
"Everyone here is dedicated to transforming our business to meet our challenges,
and I look forward to leading the company, in collaboration with the management
team, to that goal."
Mr. Flanders will continue as Freedom's CEO through June and will work closely
with Mr. Osborne to effect a smooth transition. "During my time with Freedom, I
saw a very committed group of people rise to the task of remaking the company,"
said Mr. Flanders. "Burl is the right person to lead the next phase of the
company's evolution because he understands both the strengths of the media that
must be preserved and what needs to be changed to compete in this new media
environment."
"Burl is an exceptional leader who combines outstanding business acumen with
depth of experience in the newspaper industry," said Thomas Bassett,
great-grandson of Freedom's founder R.C. Hoiles and Chairman of Freedom's Board
of Directors. "Respected for his integrity and dedication, Burl has already
served Freedom's Board in many key positions over the last five years, and I am
confident that he will be an outstanding CEO. I look forward to working with him
in his new role."
About Freedom Communications
Freedom Communications, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., is a national privately
owned information and entertainment company of print publications, broadcast
television stations and interactive businesses.
The company's print portfolio includes more than 100 daily and weekly
publications, including just over 30 daily newspapers, plus ancillary magazines
and other specialty publications. The broadcast company's stations - five CBS,
two ABC network affiliates and one CW affiliate - reach more than 3 million
households across the country. The Company's news, information and entertainment
websites complement its print and broadcast properties.
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Copyright Business Wire 2009
