3 high-ranking AJC editors leave abruptly
August 8, 2008 at 9:15 am by Ken Edelstein in NewsToday’s bound to be less exciting than last Friday was in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Marietta Street newsroom.
First, editor Julia Wallace announced that 73 newsroom staff members had taken a buyout as part of the paper’s downsizing. Then, newsroom staff members were astounded by viewing bits and pieces of a personnel drama that ended with three high-ranking editors suddenly leaving the paper. (See update here.)
Robert Mashburn, a former sports editor whose most recent title was senior Sunday and planning editor, was seen quickly walking out of the building; according to staff members, he hasn’t been back since. Virginia Lewis, a former features editor who most recently was planning editor for the digital department, and Chris Stanfield, who joined the AJC staff in 2004 as director of photography, also departed the paper.
Each of the three were high-ranking editors, described by one employee as among Wallace’s “annointed ones.” Mashburn’s departure was particularly surprising because he was one of the two point people most deeply involved in “AJC 2.0,” a long-awaited redesign of the paper. He attended and helped to coordinate the focus groups that AJC brass have boasted are helping to guide the daily’s ongoing re-invention, and he helped lead briefings with staff on 2.0.
Stanfield, who was hired by Wallace, was the top guy in the photo department, according to staff members. Lewis was one of the highest ranking editors in the online group.
The rumor mill was churning so busily that by that afternoon supervisers were meeting with the rank-and-file to let them know that Mashburn, Lewis and Stanfield were no longer with the company. The reasons for their departures weren’t shared with staffers, however, and nobody I spoke with had direct knowledge. The impression among staff members was that even the mid-level supervisors didn’t know what spurred the departures.
Citing a policy not to discuss personnel matters, AJC spokewoman Mary Dugenske wouldn’t comment. Wallace didn’t respond inquiries. My attempts to reach Mashburn, Stanfield and Lewis were unsuccessful.
I’m still trolling for info. So, if you’re one the few who has direct knowledge — or if you know how I could reach any of the three former editors — please feel free to e-mail me at ken.edelstein@creativeloafing.com.
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