Amy Carr
It's anyone's guess how long Chicago magazine will remain in Alden Global Capital's local portfolio, but for now the venerable city monthly has a new editor.
Amy Carr, who stepped down after eight years as a top features editor at the Chicago Tribune, is back in the fold as editor of Chicago magazine. Both publications are owned by the New York-based hedge fund that acquired Tribune Publishing last month.
In a statement posted Wednesday Carr said she applied for "but didn't ultimately accept" a buyout as planned. "I was preparing for a summer of finding my next chapter," she wrote. "Instead, my next chapter found me, and it's an incredible one."
Par Ridder, general manager of Chicago Tribune Media Group, announced Carr's appointment as editor in an email to staffers.
"Amy is the ideal editor to run such a storied title," Ridder wrote. "She has proven time and again to be an inspiring and innovative journalist with a knack for finding the best ways to tell stories across all platforms."
Chicago magazine
Ridder also confirmed that Terry Noland, executive editor of Chicago magazine since 2014, would be leaving after publication of the August issue.
Carr succeeds Susanna Homan, who accepted a buyout after five years as editor-in-chief and publisher of Chicago magazine. Homan announced Wednesday that she'll start next week as CEO of the nonprofit no-kill shelter PAWS Chicago.
Carr, who joined the Tribune in 2013 as development editor, most recently held the title of director of life and culture content, overseeing entertainment, lifestyles, food and dining, travel, books, homes, health and family, real estate, cars, the Tribune's Sunday magazine and editorial events.
She previously worked for TimeOut Chicago, where she signed on as managing editor at its inception in 2004 and was promoted to executive editor in 2009. Earlier the Eastern Illinois University graduate spent 15 years at the Daily Herald, where she rose from reporter to assistant features editor.
"The opportunity to get back to magazines and lead such a great title in a city I adore, is an honor, a challenge and the kind of thrill I wasn't sure journalism still had to offer for me," Carr wrote. "So much for my plans to read books on the lakefront!
"Looking forward to telling new stories about this city — all of it — in a new place."
Here is the full text of Ridder’s email to staff:
All,
I’m thrilled to announce that Amy Carr will take over leadership of Chicago Magazine.
Amy is the ideal editor to run such a storied title. She has proven time and again to be an inspiring and innovative journalist with a knack for finding the best ways to tell stories across all platforms.
Since coming to Chicago Tribune in 2013, Amy has had a hand in every significant new business development effort, new editorial product launch and new audience initiative. She is adept at using data to drive decisions while protecting and furthering our journalistic mission.
Amy’s experience in communicating the value of our journalism--and the importance of preserving its integrity--will be key in her role at Chicago Mag. As, of course, will her years at Time Out Chicago, which Amy helped found in 2005 and then led from an editorial side until coming to Tribune.
Amy’s work at Tribune has ranged wide, from business development, to events to some of our most engaging features journalism.
Most recently Amy has led the Lifestyle, Entertainment and Food & Dining teams, focusing efforts on and producing strong results with our digital audiences. She took the lead in launching Food Bowl, a unique three-week series of more than 50 events that displayed the reach and influence Tribune has in this awesome food town.
I look forward to Amy’s ideas for leveraging what we do at Chicago Tribune with Chicago Magazine’s reach and reputation in the dining world to better serve our audiences and create new business opportunities.
Working with Amy as she hits the ground sprinting will be David Syrek, who will serve as the magazine’s interim design director.
David brings to the magazine a remarkable eye for design and engaging content. He was the driving force behind much of the success of the late, lamented Tribune Magazine. He executes beautiful, classic design for many of our monthly print premium sections, with the Gift Guide being a yearly favorite and standout. And he has deftly made the jump to digital with our most visually engaging style, fashion and shopping journalism.
I would like to thank Susanna Homan and Terry Noland for their strong stewardship of Chicago Magazine over the last several years. They have kept the magazine readable and relevant through some extremely challenging times. Thank you.
Terry will bring home the August edition of Chicago Magazine and then, after a transition, hand over September to Amy and David.
We cannot wait to see what they cook up.
Par Ridder
General Manager
Wednesday's comment of the day: Rick La Fever: If the SEC goes after Alden Global Capital, I will be surprised. The old days of trust busting and regulatory oversight by the government are mostly gone.