Chris Krug

Executive Editor

Chris Krug is Vice President of News & Content for Shaw Suburban Media, overseeing editorial for the group’s daily and weekly newspapers and its online sites. Chris is Executive Editor of the Northwest Herald, where he also leads the company’s marketing initiatives. In addition, he serves as General Manager of the McHenry County Business Journal, El Conquistador, Lake County Journal and Great Lakes Bulletin. He has been with Shaw Newspapers for more than 15 years, most recently 2002 to present. Between stints with Shaw, he was the Deputy Sports Editor/Night Editor at the Denver Post (2001-02). Prior to starting with Shaw in 1994, he worked at the Meadville (Pa.) Tribune and the Erie (Pa.) Times-News. Chris was named Suburban Newspapers of America’s Daily Editor of the Year in 2008, and was honored in 2007 by the Newspaper Association of America’s Presstime magazine as one of its “20 Under 40.” He is the Chairman of the Board for Leadership Greater McHenry County, President of the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association and President of the SNA Foundation Board. He is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and a graduate of Allegheny College.

[IL 0201] - Part 1: Intro and Contribution (6:16)

Chris Krug, executive editor, Northwest Herald, tells how his youthful interest in sports enticed him into journalism, and why the Northwest Herald “has always been local” in its emphasis.

[IL 0202] - Part 2: Ethics & Content (5:21)

Chris Krug, executive editor, Northwest Herald, tells how his newspaper has established strict guidelines to control anonymous e-mail comments posted on its digital website.

[IL 0203] - Part 3: Strategic Changes (3:58)

Chris Krug, executive editor, Northwest Herald, tells how they turned around the content and format of his newspaper’s website, so it went from “worst to first” in local competitions in recent years.

[IL 0204] - Part 4: Adaptation & The Future (4:11)

Chris Krug, executive editor, Northwest Herald, says his newspaper’s news staff is committed to following its readers “to the next medium” in the rapidly changing digital landscape, whatever that medium may be.

[IL 0205] - Part 5: Prospects & Preparation (2:42)

Chris Krug, executive editor, Northwest Herald, believes the future looks attractive for job candidates in the “wide open media world” as long as they are “flexible and willing to work hard.”