 Randy Michaels named head of Tribune's Internet and broadcast operations ·Dec 20, 02:08 PM From ChicagoTribune.com: Randy Michaels generates extreme reactions. His critics say he is a cost-cutter, an aggressive boss who doesn’t like to His fans say he is a media innovator, a man who injected fun into the moribund radio business and a great choice to head Tribune Co.‘s Internet and broadcast operations, including WGN-Ch. 9 and 22 other TV stations, under Sam Zell. Michaels, 55, was named to that post Thursday. It is no surprise that Zell would turn to Michaels given their past, very lucrative association at radio company Jacor in the 1990s, industry executives say. “Randy is absolutely one of the most brilliant creative people I’ve seen in media,” said Jeff Smulyan, chief executive of broadcaster Emmis Communications in Indianapolis and someone who has competed against Michaels. “You’re going to see some creativity. All of us in this space are looking for new answers. Randy will be a great catalyst.” Others predict he will be a controversial pick for Zell (pictured below in Tribune lobby today).
“Randy is one of those charismatic, over-the-top brilliant people who is polarizing,” said Tom Taylor, executive news editor of Radio-Info.com, a Chicago-based industry Web site. “There are lots of Randy Michaels stories out there…” Read the full article by Tribune reporter Susan Chandler here “Significant new investment”An article in the Tribune-owned Los Angeles Times adds the following:In an interview Wednesday, [outgoing Tribune CEO Dennis] FitzSimons said his decision came in the last six to eight weeks during talks with Zell. “Sam is making a significant investment in our company and wants a significant hands-on role,” he said. He said Tribune already had begun a transformation, including significant new investment in its Internet sites, and “that process is going to continue outside the glare of the public markets” under Zell. Full article here share: del.icio.us.  Reddit  Digg  Yahoo  Wink  Windows  Google  Newsvine 
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lose and a man who cut the heart and soul out of local radio stations to boost the bottom line.
