Tribune execs Winnecke, Fleck exit

Joyce Winnecke

Joyce Winnecke

Changes that swept through Tribune Publishing Wednesday included the leadership of Tribune Content Agency, the company’s syndication and licensing unit, as well as Chicago Tribune Suburban Media.

Veteran Chicago journalist and prominent media executive Joyce Winnecke departed as president of Tribune Content Agency. She was named to the post in 2014 after six years as associate editor of the Chicago Tribune.

“I am grateful to the many wonderful colleagues who conspired to make me look good, for many years in the newsroom and more recently at Tribune Content Agency,” Winnecke said in a statement. “TCA is a 98-year-old business that’s now growing — reaching new markets in innovative ways — and I’m awfully proud of that. I’m wishing the best for the team and Tribune Publishing’s new leaders.”

Bob Fleck

Bob Fleck

Winnecke joined the Tribune as associate managing editor for national news in 2002 after serving as managing editor of the Sun-Times.  At Tribune Content Agency, she was instrumental in the company’s acquisition of McClatchy-Tribune Information Service, which was rebranded Tribune News Service. Earlier at the Tribune, Winnecke oversaw the launch of Blue Sky Innovation, Printers Row Journal, Chicago Live and other initiatives. In 2014 she was named among the most powerful women in Chicago journalism.

Also out is Bob Fleck, publisher and general manager of Chicago Tribune Suburban Media. Fleck, whose career in sales at the Tribune spanned 24 years, previously was senior vice president of advertising for Chicago Tribune Media Group.

In 2014 he oversaw the transition of six daily and 32 weekly suburban papers from Sun-Times parent company Wrapports LLC to Tribune ownership.

A Tribune Publishing spokesperson declined to comment on the personnel moves.