Trib classical music critic joins exodus to PwC
June 4th, 2008 by Wayne Garcia in Media WatchTampa Bay is down to one major daily newspaper classical music critic as the Tampa Tribune’s Kurt Loft has given notice that he is leaving for a job at Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Loft told me yesterday evening that he was sad to leave the paper but excited about the opportunity he will be given at PwC, where he will carry the title Lead Editor.
Loft worked at the Tribune for 27 years and covered science, classical music and restaurants. He did not take the buyout offer that the newspaper gave to more than 630 employees.
“I’m going to miss the beats,” he said of the unusual mix of subjects that he had worked into his newsroom responsibility. “It’s been a great mix.”
Loft also said he told the newspaper in his resignation letter that “I will always be a goodwill ambassador for the Trib. In its prime, it was the heart and soul of the city.”
Loft also bemoaned the impact on the local arts if the Trib, as expected, doesn’t replace him. Many state grants are sought on the basis of news coverage, and without classical music previews and reviews, the Florida Orchestra could suffer. “I think it’s tragic,” Loft said. “I feel very bad for the Orchestra. For all the arts, you’ve got to have an experienced reporter to have a dialogue between the organization and the community.”
In full disclosure, I must comment that I am close friends with Kurt, have been for 20 years, and will sorely miss his writing in the Tampa daily.
He joins several other past Trib scribes at PriceWaterhouse who left the daily over the past few years, including pop music critic Philip Booth and computer-assisted reporting guru Doug Stanley. In February, Trib business reporter Dave Simanoff also quit to join PwC. Loft said three or four other Trib reporters gave notice last Friday along with him to take jobs at PwC but their names could not yet be confirmed.
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June 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I wish them all luck tabulating this year’s secret Oscar ballots.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:33 am
It has been several years since the Trib lost their non-classical arts writer, Amanda Henry. They’ve never bothered replacing her, even after we were given assurances she’d be replaced.
I’ve still never forgiven the Trib for hatcheting the arts section, in a sneaky move over a summer where they said it was only being temporarily being put on the shelf for the summer.
Labor Day came, still no arts section. Two months after that, still none.
Like we weren’t going to notice.
Sadly, the Times replacement for an entertainment section isn’t very thrilling either.
I realize newspapers are shrinking and so is every bit of money connected to it, but I am still mortified that by and large the media in this town largely ignores most real local art.
Besides you guys, of course.
One of the greatest compliments, which also doubles as a comment that gives me the greatest consternation after someone discovers our theater is something to the effect of “Gosh, how long have you guys been doing this? How did I never know about this? Do you guys advertise? The news should cover this.”
June 4th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
A correction on my part, as it was pointed out to me: Amanda Henry was not in fact “canned” as I said. She left the paper to leave the state with her husband to get a family going.
Poor choice of words on my part, and well, that’s not what really happened. My apologies there.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Also among the writers leaving “Mother Trib” is lead Polk County reporter Billy Thompson, who is taking an job outside the news biz in Tampa. He’s been good in print and online, and he’ll be missed.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Bummer. Will whoever leaves last please turn out the lights?