TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Ron Nagasawa has been promoted to publisher of MidWeek, sister publication to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. A bit of shop talk
"I want to move forward and see what I might be able to bring (to MidWeek)," he said.Formerly the vice president and associate publisher, he also pens the most widely read column in the weekly publication, if not in the state.
"That's what I hear," he said. "With our circulation reaching over a quarter of a million, and readership of over half a million, I've gotta think that people are reading it."
Nagasawa is regularly stopped "on the street" by readers, while others call or send letters or e-mails responding to his writing.
MidWeek is currently running "best of" columns, but Nagasawa plans to resume his writing after the start of the new year.
He replaces Ken Berry, who resigned from the company last week for a job at the Advertiser.
"I don't think I would have the position today had it not been for him," Nagasawa said.
As for concerns about Berry's conversion from mentor to competitor for advertising dollars, Nagasawa said, "Smart businesspeople have to go with what's good for their business. MidWeek is (good for their business), and it's been proven to be. I'm sure they're going to stick with (us)," he said.
In another promotion, Maile McLaurin has been appointed to the newly created position of sales director of MidWeek and Oahu Publications' military newspapers, "Hawaii Army Weekly," "Hawaii Marine," "Hawaii Navy News" and "Hickam Kukini."
Since joining the company in 1990, McLaurin has served as a sales representative for MidWeek and the military papers, and as sales manager for the former SunPress and MidWeek.
"Those guys across the street are going to see just how well they taught us to compete," she said, referring to Berry and former Advertising Director Jay Higa, who also joined the Advertiser.
Christmas on the cheap
The lunchtime potluck for the Honolulu Advertiser's editorial staff mirrored what many companies do in lieu of fancy Christmas parties in lean times such as these.As with the Star-Bulletin, there are two shifts, so there was one potluck for the "dayside" staff, and one for those working "nightside."
Additionally, an editorial manager will be hosting staff at his home for a weekend party.
As preparations for the second informal gathering are underway, the Halekulani ballroom has been reserved by the Honolulu Advertiser for a party of as many as 120 people, beginning at 7 tonight.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com