Why I love Harry Montevideo

Harry Montevideo, an icon of college media, is out as publisher of The Red & Black.

Over 30 years, Montevideo helped build the University of Georgia newspaper into one of the country’s elite programs. It excelled both in its editorial and business operations and became a powerful voice on its own campus and in the college media industry. After I started at the Emerald two years ago, Montevideo was one of my first phone calls. He quickly became my mentor, tutoring me on the history and business of college media. As we considered our own future here at the Emerald, Montevideo was a critical adviser at every step.

As an independent nonprofit company, Montevideo and his crew had to make their own future. When few of us were willing to take the risk, Montevideo bet big on the future. In 2011, The Red & Black converted the storied daily into a weekly newspaper with a digital newsroom.

The transition wasn’t without its rough patches. But very few revolutions are. We used lessons from The Red & Black’s revolution in our own this year. And we’re better off because of it, thanks to Harry and his team.

I have no inside knowledge about Montevideo’s departure and do not mean to pass judgement on the board or Montevideo. But I did want to share two thoughts in light of his departure:

1. The Red & Black provides a window into the pressures felt by all legacy media, especially newspapers. But for the ranks of independent college newspapers, that pressure is intense and will only continue to grow over time as we balance our educational mission against the brutal realities of running a business in a highly competitive industry.

2. Thank you, Harry. I and many others deeply value your 30-year contribution to our industry and to the generations of students who learned the craft under your leadership.