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USA Today, a daily newspaper founded by Allen Neuhart, celebrates its 15th anniversary in 1997. It is well known for setting standards in the industry with its printing and circulation operations. It is ranked as one of the most expensive business start-ups ever. However, it has taken the newspaper a long time before making a profit, incurring a total of $458 million in pretax losses. The newspaper's revenues began to increase slowly after newsprint costs declined and the national economy improved. This enabled the newspaper to incorporate several changes in its design and print.

Journalists debate the newsworthiness of former tennis superstar Arthur Ashe's disclosure that he has AIDS. Some journalists feel the story of AIDS is bigger than that of the public figure who has it. As a result, the media pursues the story more aggressively than if the person had another disease. Other journalists question whether the line between news and sensationalism was crossed. Ashe admits it was USA Today's pursuit of the story that caused him to call a press conference to announce he had AIDS., Was it news that former tennis pro Arthur Ashe has AIDS? Journalists debate whether the story should have been pursued The media found out last week that the boundaries of [...]

Gannett CEO succession also in doubt with Tom Curley taking the helm at AP As Gannett Co. Inc. recovers from the surprise departure of its USA Today publisher, several insiders [...]

When USA Today President and Publisher Tom Curley made a presentation earlier this month at the Credit Suisse First Boston Media Conference, he didn't ignore the record advertising year the [...]

Designers gave mixed reviews to the first redesign in USA Today's 18- year history as it converts to a narrower, longer page size. The paper that was a pioneer in [...]

Just when the advertising community had been bracing for USA Today to give birth to its first audited circulation figures, the all-important report, which will certify distribution of Gannett's new [...]

Creed Black and Al Neuharth are editor publishers who became newspaper founders. Creed Black has presided over the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation from 1988 to Feb 1988 which funds education, urban and journalism enterprises throughout the world. Al Neuharth founded USA Today in 1982. He founded the newspaper when circulation and advertising losses were huge. USA Today provides positive thinking and lots of color but never terrorized celebrities as tabloid journalism has. The newspaper is known for its employment diversity. Neuharth recently founded the Newseum in Rosslyn, VA., TWO LEGENDARY editor/publishers-turned newspaper foundation gurus, this fall, observe major milestones in their professional careers. They both deserve a hefty salute. One is Creed Black, 70, who steps down in [...]

USA Today publisher Tom Curley told members of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Association that truly successful newspapers are measured by their ability to remove bad managers who produce good results. Curley maintained that too many newspapers are unwilling to address internal problems and evaluate the amount of damage a bad manager can inflict. USA Today abides by a policy to exchange high-maintenance bad managers for high-impact people who can generate positive results., A MAJOR MARK of a successful newspaper is getting rid of bad managers who produce good results,' said Tom Curley, president and publisher of USA Today. Bad managers who get [...]

* Read all about it: Even USA Today is belt-tightening; for the first time The Nation's Newspaper has declined to pay TV columnist Rudy Martzke's way to the Super […]

Has your newspaper checked for 'low-hanging fruit' recently. That's the term a circulation marketing director used recently to describe circulation marketing opportunities he felt his paper wasn't taking advantage of. [...]

Newspaper publishers are expected to benefit from continued stability in newsprint costs in 1997 as they continue to expand their use of on-line services. On-line sites were greatly improved in 1996, a process expected to continue in 1997. Advertising packages will be increasingly sold for a combination of traditional and on-line spots. Retail advertising, which was up only 0.5% in the first half of 1996 might be helped by greater use of microzoning and improved insert distribution., 2 The difference in the outlook for the coming year, compared with last year, is also a big relief for publishers: No drastic hikes in newsprint prices are expected. In [...]

A dissident proposal, to be voted on at Gannett Co's Apr 28,1992, annual stockholders meeting, argues that 'USA Today' should be folded. The proposal, brought by New York City attorney Albert Mayer, states that Gannett has wasted talent and a lot of money on projects such as 'USA Today' and seeks to cancel anti-takeover measures adopted by the firm in May 1990., It is time to fold USA Today, a dissident stockholder proposal argues. At Gannett Co.'s annual meeting April 28, shareholders will vote on a proposal requesting that the board of [...]

In an 'editors' paper' length and style of bylined stories are determined strictly by editors. The Wall Street Journal's Glynn Mapes says front page story ideas are encouraged from young reporters, though they are always rewritten. USA Today's editor Nancy Woodhull says reporters have difficulty adjusting to their 3-4 paragraph 'news brief' style.

Gannett Co. chairman Allen Neuharth forecasts growth for his company and newspapers in general. Gannett plans discussed include USA Today's data base, more local acquisitions, teletext, satellite communications, and TV and radio operations.

Gannett USA Today's tomorrow JOHN CURLEY, the newish chairman of Gannett, has a hard act to follow. For the past two decades his flamboyant predecessor, Mr Allen Neuharth, has been [...]