Matt Moog steps down as CEO of Chicago Public Media
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Matt Moog. Photo courtesy of Chicago Public Media
Chicago Public Media CEO Matt Moog announced that he is stepping down as the leader of both WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Driving the news: Moog shared his plans to resign in a statement to staff on Monday, and said he intends to serve in the role until the public media company's board chooses a successor in early 2024.
Catch up fast: Moog took over as the CEO of CPM in 2020 after spending more than a decade as a board member. Moog stepped in after the board's initial candidate withdrew her application amid an investigation of issues at her previous employer.
- Moog guided CPM's acquisition of the Sun-Times in 2021, which created the largest local nonprofit newsroom in the country.
- According to CPM, the acquisition doubled the size of their audience. The company says it has 4.5 million weekly listeners and readers across its platforms.
What they're saying: "I feel a great sense of gratitude for the Board, staff, and supporters who embraced the opportunity to combine two great news organizations in a bold effort to serve the greater Chicago community," Moog said in a statement.
- Current CPM chair Robert Pasin said Moog's impact wasn't just about the merger. In a statement, Pasin said Moog garnered major philanthropic support while also "accelerating the company's digital transformation."
Of note: CPM says the Sun-Times digital audience has increased by 70% since the paper dropped its paywall in late 2022.
Yes, but: The merger has not been all smooth sailing due, in part, to lengthy contract negotiations with the Sun-Times guild.
- The two sides agreed on a new contract earlier this year.
Zoom in: Both the Sun-Times guild and WBEZ SAG-AFTRA union leadership say they'll push for a transparent CEO search process that involves newsroom input.
What's next: Moog said he plans to "return to my roots as a technology entrepreneur." The CEO ran several companies before taking over CPM.
Disclaimer: Justin Kaufmann worked for Chicago Public Media before coming to Axios.