Lee Salem To Assume UPS Presidency

We are less than 10 weeks away from one of the most important comics industry personnel changes possible, change at the top of a major syndicate, as the greatly respected comic strip editor Lee Salem will succeed Bob Duffy this July as the president of Universal Press Syndicate. Like Duffy, who came on board and spearheaded the syndicate's sales starting in 1976, Salem has more than three decades experience with the syndicate. Salem may be best known for his long-running relationship with Doonesbury, but the article points out other highlights such as Salem and Duffy negotiating a contract with The Far Side's Gary Larson when he moved from Chronicle Features to UPS. And while the challenges for the syndicate have changed in this time of shrinking newspaper circulation and unique market permutations, Salem's hire could be seen as not just turning to a veteran hand but a vote of confidence in strong editorial content as a way to negotiate the current landscape.

Duffy will remain on the company's board, do some consulting and split time between Kansas City and a home in a warmer climate. Salem will retain the title of "editor," when he moves from executive vice president to president, but in a side announcement perhaps just as important as Salem's forthcoming presidency, the syndicate plans to hire editorial help and Salem plans to step down from the editor position after a transitional period.
 
posted 3:01 am PST | Permalink
 

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