BOSTON (AP) — The new owner of the Boston Globe named himself publisher Thursday and appointed a well-known Boston advertising executive as CEO.
John Henry, also the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, said he will concentrate on strategy, while Mike Sheehan will oversee day-to-day business operations.
Henry bought the Globe and related New England properties from the New York Times Co. in October. He is the Globe’s third owner and its ninth publisher.
“My main role as publisher is to ensure that the Globe has the right management and that management has the resources to accomplish its mission,” Henry said.
Sheehan, former CEO of Boston-based Hill Holliday, joined the Globe earlier this month as a consultant. The Massachusetts native began his newspaper career as sports editor of the Weymouth News and as a reporter for The Patriot Ledger, of Quincy, before moving into advertising. As CEO of Hill Holliday from 2003 to 2013, he handled clients such as Bank of America Corp. and Dunkin’ Brands.
“I am just a true believer in the value of quality journalism, properly sourced, well vetted, wonderfully written and edited,” Sheehan said. “And I’m not the only one.”
Sheehan is treasurer of the One Fund Boston foundation for victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Henry had said earlier this month the Globe would seek an executive to oversee business operations and work to expand its presence in television and other platforms, as well as exploring new ways of attracting advertisers and sponsors.
Former publisher Christopher Mayer, credited with restoring the Globe’s profitability over four years, resigned this month as part of the ownership transition.