John Barron

John Barron, the former Chicago Sun-Times publisher and editor who crossed over last year to the Chicago Tribune, was promoted Wednesday to general manager of Tribune Content Agency, the rapidly growing syndication and licensing unit of Tribune Publishing.

In his new role, Barron will be responsible for operations, marketing and technology while continuing as editor.  James Pinnick, who had been general manager of Tribune Content Agency for four years, left earlier this month to become vice president of licensing and content acquisition of Cision.

“John takes on this expanded role at a thrilling time,” Joyce Winnecke, president of Tribune Content Agency, said in announcing Barron’s promotion. “We love John for his good humor, good sense and high energy. He’s also a thoroughly decent person. All traits will be critical in helping lead Tribune Content Agency to the status of most innovative and agile content solutions business in the industry.”

Since joining Tribune Content Agency last October as chief content officer (and moving up to editor in April), Barron has overseen the acquisition of McClatchy-Tribune Information Services and the transfer of its editorial operations from Washington, D.C., to Chicago. As of next week, it will be renamed Tribune News Service.

“The combination of the News Service’s daily flow of stories and our huge storehouse of syndicated offerings positions us as an unrivaled content powerhouse,” Barron said. “With that size and strength comes a great ability to innovate across all platforms. We can now go to market — including an amazing array of new and non-traditional markets — with content solutions for every need imaginable. In other words: we’ve got it all.”

Other growth plans under Barron include the launch of “Originals,” a service that will identify stories from traditional publishers and guide them from printed page to the screen.

“When we spot wonderful storytelling, we work to match it with the needs of TV, film and documentary production companies,” he said. “Our editors see thousands of stories a week from our creators and contributors. Every so often one of them makes you say, ‘This would make a great movie.’ We now have the team and tools to begin to make that happen.”

A Chicago native and the pride of Fenwick High School and Marquette University, Barron, 56, joined the Sun-Times in 1995 as a business reporter. He quickly moved up to top editorial and management roles, including publisher of the Sun-Times and Pioneer Press Newspapers. Following a change of ownership at Sun-Times Media, Barron stepped down in May 2012 to form his own communications, media and management consulting business.

Here is the text of Winnecke’s announcement:

Dear Colleagues,

I’m pleased to say that John Barron has been named Editor and General Manager of Tribune Content Agency.

John takes on this expanded role at a thrilling time. Our business is poised for growth. And John will work closely with me and Wayne Lown, vice president for sales, to build the structure and capabilities we need to double our revenue in the next three years. 

These past few months, John has led the complex task of integrating MCT into Tribune Content Agency. He’s gathered an impressive team of editors, hiring fresh faces and working with veterans to craft roles befitting today’s Tribune Content Agency.

John joined Tribune Content Agency as chief content officer October 2013  during that brief period in which we handled branded content and content marketing.  He became editor of Tribune Content Agency in April 1 when Tribune Publishing acquired full ownership of MCT.  In his previous professional life, John worked for 17 years at the Chicago Sun-Times on both the editorial and business side  of the company. He began as a reporter and later served as editor and then publisher – not only of the Sun-Times but also of its 40 affiliated titles. 

We love John for his good humor, good sense and high energy.  He’s also a thoroughly decent person. All traits will be critical in helping lead Tribune Content Agency to the status of most innovative and agile content solutions business in the industry.    

John, Wayne and I understand that our growth and success depend on each of you:  a dedicated team of talented journalists, rights managers, sales professionals and technologists.   You’re  focused every day on knowing and serving customers, old and new. Thanks for your diligence and flexibility as we chart our new course and pick up speed.     

Please join me in congratulating John.

Best, Joyce