New publisher for Virginian-Pilot takes over at uncertain time

NORFOLK

Maurice Jones has been a Rhodes scholar, corporate lawyer, senior state official. His newest title: newspaper publisher.

On Wednesday, Jones was named the next publisher of The Virginian-Pilot. He succeeds Bruce Bradley, who will retain his other title as president of the Landmark Publishing Group, which oversees The Pilot and other daily and community newspapers owned by Norfolk-based Landmark Communications Inc.

Jones' appointment, which will take effect April 14, makes The Pilot the country's largest daily newspaper with a black publisher, said Jeanne Fox-Alston, vice president for talent management and diversity of the Newspaper Association of America.

Jones, 43, also will be the first black publisher in Landmark's history, Bradley said.

"I hope that in whatever period of time I have to do this job, I won't be remembered as just the first black publisher," Jones said. "I hope people will say, 'This guy made a positive contribution to this place.' "

Jones, now Bradley's second-in-command as vice president and general manager of the newspaper, is stepping in at a time of uncertainty in the media industry and The Pilot.

Nearly all newspapers are suffering profit declines, the national economy is struggling, and The Pilot might get a new owner later this year. In January, Landmark officials announced they would explore selling all of the company's properties, including The Pilot and The Weather Channel, based in Atlanta.

That hasn't chipped away at Jones' buoyant outlook.

"This is a wonderful time to be the publisher because the challenges have never been greater for the whole industry, and I love challenges," he said.

Jones said he "obviously would love to be doing this for a while. The next owner will have the ultimate say in how long I get to do this job." Among his goals are increased use of video and more breaking news online.

Unlike many newspaper executives, Jones came to the business in mid career.

A native of Kenbridge in south-central Virginia, he graduated at the top of his class at Hampden-Sydney College and then went to Oxford University on a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Jones later received a law degree from the University of Virginia.

He has worked for the U.S. Treasury Department, the law firm of Hunton & Williams, and former Gov. Mark Warner as deputy chief of staff and commissioner of social services.

He joined Landmark in March 2005 and the following January was named to his current post. In that job, Jones oversees about a dozen departments, including advertising, circulation and human resources.

"I came here," he said, "because I wanted to be at a place where I'd have the opportunity both to learn how to run a profitable business and perform a public service, which is what we do every day."

The Pilot and its related properties employ more than 1,200 and include an online operation, a direct marketing company, an events company, and multiple weekly and monthly print publications.

Bradley, 58, came to Landmark in 1974. He has served twice as The Pilot's publisher, first from 1995 to 2000 and again since December 2005. During his second tour, he has retained his previous job as president of Landmark Publishing, consisting of four metro papers and more than 70 other publications.

"Being publisher of The Virginian-Pilot, in my mind, is the best job on the planet," said Bradley, who will remain Jones' boss. "I feel good about leaving it to Maurice because I think he's very capable. But it's with mixed emotions. I love this job. I love this newspaper."

Bradley said he had planned for Jones to take the job since Jones arrived at the company. "He's ready now to be publisher," Bradley said.

The prospective sale of the Landmark newspapers was another factor - but not a "huge" one - in the timing of the transition. Bradley said he has to spend more time on duties such as helping complete the "financial books" for the papers and, later, making presentations to prospective buyers.

Bradley praised Jones' intellect, work ethic and varied background. "What our industry needs now is more innovative thinking," he said.

Jones said he hoped to emulate Bradley's "terrific ability to learn things, unlearn them and relearn new things."

On the other hand, "I'll have to do a lot more listening and a lot more relying on other people to make decisions than he probably does. He's been in the business 30 years, and I've been in it three."

Philip Walzer, (757) 222-3864, phil.walzer@pilotonline.com