By Rick Griffin
The San Diego Business Journal’s search for a new publisher is over. Last month, Huntley Paton, who served as president and publisher of the SDBJ since September 2016, decided he wanted to relocate to Ashville, NC, to be closer to children and grandchildren.
Succeeding Paton at the local weekly business newspaper will be Barbara Chodos, vice president of sales and operations for the past three years at The Desert Sun, a daily newspaper owned by Gannett in Palm Springs. Chodos will join the SDBJ as president and publisher June 15. Prior to Palm Springs, Chodos spent 12 years in Newark, N.J., as vice president of advertising with the state’s largest local daily newspaper, The Star-Ledger, and the state’s largest news web site, NJ.com, both owned and operated by Advance Communications.
“I am very honored to be joining the San Diego Business Journal,” Chodos said. “My goal is to continue to showcase the great people, industries and companies that serve this region. The Journal has a distinguished track record of making connections in the business community that foster economic growth and development. I look forward to utilizing my background in marketing and communications to expand those conversations among all members of the business community.”
“Barbara has tremendous energy and leadership skills, and a terrific track record with some of the country’s biggest, most-sophisticated media companies,” Paton said. “She is a perfect fit for this community, and will do tremendous things for our readers, our clients and the staff of the SDBJ.”
Armon Mills, publisher emeritus of the SDBJ, led the search for a new publisher. He said Chodos “has an incredible background in media and has the personality and communication skills to be the next Business Journal leader and at the same time make a meaningful contribution to the San Diego business community.
Crowe PR has Moved Across the Hall
Crowe PR, a San Diego-based public relations firm, has moved its offices across the hall at the TR office building at 406 Ninth Avenue to Suite 314, in downtown San Diego. The new office, with 1,400 square feet and a balcony overlooking Petco Park, is about double the size of the previous office space and has enough room for 10 employees, said Hayley Kerr, Crowe PR.
The firm’s newest employee is Sophia Hatef, senior account manager. Hatef spent the past four years with Lewis Global Communications and worked on the Mule Soft, Verto Analytics and Verizon accounts.
In addition, the agency announced that Sarah Kinsella, who joined the company in January 2016, has been promoted from junior account executive to media strategist. In her new role, Kinsella will be responsible for leading and developing client media relations strategy, building campaigns, leveraging industry news and trends for clients, and coaching junior staff on best practices.
“This is a dynamic time for the company as we grow our team and move into a new creative space,” said Anna Crowe, Crowe PR founder and CEO. The firm has offices in San Diego and New York City.
Fox 5 San Diego Touts Morning Ratings from May Sweeps
KSWB-TV/Fox 5 San Diego has announced that TV ratings company A.C. Nielsen Co. reports its weekday Fox 5 Morning News show was ranked first in the San Diego market for the May 2018 sweeps period (April 26-May 23) among adults ages 18-49 and 25-54 during the 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. hour.
The station also said its morning news program has been ranked at the top for the past nine Nielsen rating books for both the 5-6 a.m. and 6-7 a.m. hours. In addition, the morning program has drawn the most number of viewers ages 18-49 and 25-54 during the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. timeframe for that past two May sweeps.
“Content remains king and Fox 5 Morning News continues to grow with engaging anchors and reporters delivering news to viewers and users on all platforms,” said Rich Goldner, KSWB VP and news director.
“Our mission to inform and serve the community while connecting to our constituents on-air and through social media is validated in the recently concluded May ratings,” said Scott Heath, KSWB president and general manager.
Direct Marketers Learn About Delighting Customers
SD Direct will host “Strategies to Delight and Inspire Customers” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. pm Tuesday, June 19, at UCSD Extension, Room 317, 6256 Greenwich Drive. Speakers will be Rosalyn Mancinelli, Innoventure Consulting Group, a San Diego company that has consulted with software, technology, real estate development, financial services and hospitality organizations; and Kim McNealy, CMO Mojo, a San Diego company that coaches marketing teams to reach their maximize impact and strategic execution. Cost to attend is $20 for members, $40 for guests and $12 for students. To RSVP, visit www.sddirect.org.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.