Business News
Sandy Schwartz Appointed President of Cox Newspapers
Wednesday 09. April 2008 - Jay Smith announces retirement from Cox Newspapers as president Schwartz to continue leadership of Cox Auto Trader
Cox Enterprises, Inc. today announced that Sanford (Sandy) H. Schwartz, 55, will be appointed president of Cox Newspapers, Inc., one of the nation’s leading newspaper publishing enterprises, effective May 1, 2008. He will replace Jay Smith who has announced his retirement from Cox Newspapers as president after a distinguished, 37-year career with the company. Schwartz will continue his role as president of Cox Auto Trader, reporting to Jimmy W. Hayes, president and chief operating officer of Cox Enterprises.
“Sandy brings 27 years of newspaper experience with him, and he has been with Cox for 23 years,” said Hayes. “Sandy’s experience and success at Cox during times of unprecedented change make him a natural fit to ensure that Cox Newspapers continues to deliver its high-quality content to readers when, where, and how they want it.”
Cox Newspapers, one of Cox’s six major operating subsidiaries, includes 17 daily and 26 non-daily newspapers and shoppers. The company’s major metropolitan newspapers include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Palm Beach Post, Austin American-Statesman and Dayton Daily News. Other operations include Valpak, the nation’s leader in cooperative direct mail advertising.
Schwartz also serves as president of Cox Auto Trader, one of the world’s leading providers of online and print automotive consumer information. He will continue to be responsible for overseeing the company’s three operating businesses, including Cox majority-owned AutoTrader.com, the Internet’s leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information Web site; AutoTrader Publishing, a leading producer of classified automotive advertising publications; and AutoMart, the leading provider of print and online classified automotive advertising for dealer customers.
Eighteen of Sandy’s 23 years with the company have been with Cox Newspapers. He joined Cox in 1985 as a features editor of the Tribune Newspapers in Mesa, Arizona and rose through the ranks to become editor and was named president and publisher in 1995. He then served as vice president and general manager at both The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Austin American-Statesman, and later as executive vice president of Cox Newspapers. Since 2003, he has complemented his print journalism background with significant digital media experience, first serving as vice president of business development for Cox Enterprises, from 2003-2006, and then moving to his current role, leading AutoTrader.com, AutoTrader Publishing and AutoMart.
Also taking place May 1, Jay Smith will retire from the company after leading Cox Newspapers since 1994. He joined Cox in 1971 as a reporter for the Dayton Daily News (OH), where he advanced to assistant city editor, assistant managing editor, business manager and, eventually, publisher. He spent seven years as publisher of the Atlanta newspapers, and also headed the Austin American-Statesman. In 1994 he was named president of Cox Newspapers. He leaves behind an impressive tradition of excellence in newspaper publishing and is past chairman of the Newspaper Association of America. He also serves on the board of the Associated Press.
“Jay has left an indelible mark on Cox Newspapers and completes an impressive career with the business where it all started for our company, 109 years ago,” said Hayes. “He has done a tremendous job of leading Cox Newspapers aggressively through a number of transformations to respond to a rapidly evolving media environment and Cox is grateful for his talent, courage, leadership and dedication.”