Trib taps "design guy" as new SE

[carrie]

As posted over on VisualEditors.com:

I am delighted to announce that Mike Kellams has been appointed Chicago Tribune Sports Editor, effective immediately.

The job posting said we were looking for an experienced, creative, hard-working and innovative journalist to fill the position, and Mike brings each of those qualities in abundance. He had already distinguished himself as one of the most accomplished visual journalists in the country when he arrived at the Tribune eight years ago, and in all his positions here he has built on that reputation and established himself as an editor of rare talent, energy and versatility.

Mike was a go-to guy for the sports department long before he was assigned to us. He guided us through production of the Walter Payton special section and he designed the stunning, star-studded cover of the Michael Jordan commemorative section, two examples (of many) of his willingness to step forward whenever we sought his help in making something truly special.

We worked more closely with him and borrowed more of his great ideas when he became the founding sports editor of RedEye, and we jumped at the chance to add him to our staff in 2004. Since then he has been one of our point men on one big assignment after another: Illinois’ run to the 2005 Final Four, the White Sox’s postseason adventure later that year and this year’s expanded Bears coverage, to cite three examples. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the stellar job Mike did directing coverage for us and for all the other Tribune papers at the Turin Winter Olympics.

The posting also mentioned the challenge inherent in replacing Bill Adee as sports editor. Naming Mike to the position is an important first step, with some others to follow. Mike has the skills, the energy and the vision to help us maintain and build on the standards Bill helped us achieve over the last 4 ½ years. Please join me in congratulating Mike and in working with him to ensure our continued excellence.

Dan McGrath
Associate managing editor/sports

 

[Chi City 81]

Oh, I can't wait to see what DyePack says about this hire.

 

[DyePack]

As I said with the Bears game stuff, it doesn't surprise me. The paper has been heading down this road for a while.

All it tells me is the pattern of mistakes, both small and large, concerns no one in the Tribune tower. So there should continue to be plenty of amusing f-ups in the coming weeks and months.

I wonder if Eddie Johnson's attorneys are paying attention.

 

[Football_Bat]

So who's in charge of sports at the Trib? Dan McGrath or Mike Kellams or somebody else higher or lower in the bureaucracy? Sounds potentially Belo-esque — too many chiefs, etc.

 

[HackyMcHack]

Having worked with Mike a bunch of years ago, this doesn't surprise me. Mike's always been the aggressive type. Too aggressive for my tastes, but that's why he's at where he's at now.

He and Whitlock have put Ball State's j-school on the map.

 

[brettwatson]

I think the Trib's Bears coverage has been astounding. I see it every week (from a market outside of Chicago) and it's extremely reader-friendly, comprehensive, interactive, provocative and cutting edge. Why anyone would denigrate what they are doing is beyond me.

I don't know Kellams, but if he's been a major part of the enhancement, it's easy to see why he's getting the promotion.

McGrath, one of the trulyl nice guys in the business, runs the show there. Adee was a high-energy type who rounded out the upper management sports team. He's out of sports now, hence the need to bring someone else in. From this outsider's perspective, it looks like quite the smart move.

 

[DyePack]

I think the Trib's Bears coverage has been astounding. I see it every week (from a market outside of Chicago) and it's extremely reader-friendly, comprehensive, interactive, provocative and cutting edge. Why anyone would denigrate what they are doing is beyond me.

I don't know Kellams, but if he's been a major part of the enhancement, it's easy to see why he's getting the promotion.

McGrath, one of the trulyl nice guys in the business, runs the show there. Adee was a high-energy type who rounded out the upper management sports team. He's out of sports now, hence the need to bring someone else in. From this outsider's perspective, it looks like quite the smart move.

It's just past noon, and the Kool-Aid is refreshing and tasty. Mmmmmm.

 

[shotglass]

That there copy editung is gone go to hell in a handbaskit, DP.

 

[DyePack]

It's beyond a copy-editing problem at this point.

 

[da man]

I've got to side with DyePack here. Check out the thread about the Tribune's new-look Bears coverage and you'll get an idea of what he's talking about. The four one-quarter ``gamers'' are a good example of style over substance.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

Ridiculous to make judgments from afar. Some people can do words and visuals at a major-league level and have specialized in either at various times in their career. I have. The best layout guy I worked with is now writing/managing. There are one-dimensional people, sure, but then there are people who are just good journalists who'd be good in whatever role.

I don't like what the Trib's doing with the Bears game-day coverage, either, but somebody higher up approved it. Blame them, not the people who carry out the vision.

 

[Chi City 81]

I've got to side with DyePack here. Check out the thread about the Tribune's new-look Bears coverage and you'll get an idea of what he's talking about. The four one-quarter ``gamers'' are a good example of style over substance.

The sad part is that John Mullin and David Haugh could write rings around Brad Biggs (not Mully, though). Why waste two talented writers in that way?

 

[DyePack]

A Wenalway update is in progress, but to steal a line from it: Only the visually myopic would endorse this approach.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

 

[DyePack]

Mmmmm -- the Kool-Aid must still have some flavor later in the day.

 

[slappy4428]

A Wenalway update is in progress, but to steal a line from it: Only the visually myopic would endorse this approach.

Oh, I am just shaking in anticipation of the prospect of this...

 

[HejiraHenry]

He and Whitlock have put Ball State's j-school on the map.

I worked for a Ball State alum at USA Today who worked hard to take if off the map, so they had their work cut out for them.

 

[DyePack]

A Wenalway update is in progress, but to steal a line from it: Only the visually myopic would endorse this approach.

Oh, I am just shaking in anticipation of the prospect of this...

Kool-Aid in the evening. Dessert and a drink.

 

[HoopsMcCann]

A Wenalway update is in progress, but to steal a line from it: Only the visually myopic would endorse this approach.

Oh, I am just shaking in anticipation of the prospect of this...

Kool-Aid in the evening. Dessert and a drink.

mr. original loves his kool-aid references. i guess wenalway will be writing about how those aren't trite anymore. maybe retro.

 

[DyePack]

A Wenalway update is in progress, but to steal a line from it: Only the visually myopic would endorse this approach.

Oh, I am just shaking in anticipation of the prospect of this...

Kool-Aid in the evening. Dessert and a drink.

mr. original loves his kool-aid references. i guess wenalway will be writing about how those aren't trite anymore. maybe retro.

We may need to mix up another packet.