Critics dubbed "USA Today" McPaper "when it debut in 1982, they accused its founder, Al Neuharth, it is easy to read articles and bright graphics simplify American journalism.
Neuharth had the last laugh, as the country's most circulated newspaper "USA Today" in the late 1990s.
Hard-charging founder of USA Today on Friday died in Cocoa Beach, Florida, he was 89 years old. The news was announced by the "USA Today" Newseum, he also founded.
Jack Marsh, president, Al Neuharth Media Center and a close friend confirmed that he died Friday afternoon at his home. Marsh said the Neuharth fell earlier this week, and never fully recovered.
Neuharth fill in the breezy, easy-to-understand articles, eye-catching graphics and story, often does not require readers to jump to a different page of "USA Today" newspaper changed the look. The slice is represented with different colors. The news section of the entire layout of a color weather map of the entire United States. The news section contains a state headlines from around the country convened by the state. Its eye-catching logo in white lettering on a blue background makes it recognizable at a distance.
"Our goal is college-age population who are non-readers, we think they get enough serious things like Neuharth said:" In 1995. "We fell in love with them, mainly because it is a colorful newspaper, play the things they are interested in - sports, entertainment and television."
Before, it is different from any newspaper "USA Today", when it debut in 1982. Its style was widely ridiculed, but has since been widely imitated. Many news veterans rarely give it a chance to survive. The ads initially reluctant to put their money in the newspaper, it may compete with the local newspaper. But circulation growth. In 1999, the "USA Today" In the past the side of the Wall Street Journal circulation daily with 175 million copies, the largest newspaper in the country to take the title.
"Everyone was skeptical, so I, but I say you never bet against Neuharth, the late Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham said:" in 2000, told the Associated Press.
The United States launched today is the the Neuharth most obvious commitment as Chairman and CEO of Gannett Co., Ltd. During his more than 15 years at the helm, Gannett became the nation's largest newspaper company and the company's full-year revenue growth from 200 million million to more than $ 3 billion. Neuharth in 1973 to become the company's CEO and chairman in 1979. He retired in 1989.
Since Gannett long, Neuharth like the transactions. Even more so, driven media tycoon love the play and trading decisions hedge trumping his competitors.
In his autobiography, "Confessions of a son of a bitch", "Neuharth made no secret of his hard-nosed business strategies, such as the use of competitors conversation he overheard.
He also proudly tells how he defeated the the Graham acquisition of Wilmington, Delaware newspaper, he said, two people attended the meeting together in Hawaii, he has learned, Gannett successful, but he remained silent until he slipped her attention to the correct transaction to be announced.
In the mid-1980s, Gannett unsuccessfully attempted will remain the largest media company, merged with CBS at the time. The transaction fell through, things Neuharth that one of his greatest failure.
The Neuharth into the Gannett editorial department and the Board so that more minorities and women proud of his record. When he became CEO, the board of directors of the company's all white and male. When he retired, the Board has four women, two blacks and Asians. He also pushed Graham American Newspaper Publishers Association, became the first woman President.
"He is a great leader, said:" The former Associated Press President and CEO Tom Curley, who have many years of close cooperation Neuharth. "He is certainly one of the pioneers of women and people of color to move to management positions, he is a very strong manager who commanded respect, I think the industry as a whole, as well as those who worked with him, his poor life, poverty in South Dakota and fighting in World War II prepared in the competitive arena fighting, he likes to compete, he loves to win. "
Prior to joining Gannett, the Neuharth rose through the ranks of the Knight newspaper. From reporter to deputy editor of the "Miami Herald" in the 1950s, then became executive editor of the Detroit Free Press Assistant.
Allen H. Neuharth was born in Eureka, SD, March 22, 1924, his father died when he was 2. He grew up in Alpena, SD, but ambitious, starting from the early news in his blood. The age of 11, he took his first job, a newspaper carrier, as a teenager, and later he worked in the weekly Alpena magazine studios. His ambition is obvious.
"I want to give to the rich and famous no matter where it is," said Neuharth, told the Associated Press in 1999. "I was lucky, luck is part of it, you have to be in the right place at the right time and at the right time to pick the right place."
A bachelor's degree in journalism from graduation won the Bronze Star in World War II and the University of South Dakota, Neuharth for the AP for two years. He then launched a South Dakota Sports Weekly tabloid, sports SoDak in 1952. This is a spectacular failure, lost $ 50,000, but it may be ever received the best education Neuharth.
In his autobiography, he said: "Everyone should have at least one failure in a big way," before they 40. "The bigger you fail, you get bigger likely to be successful."
Neuharth has been married three times. High school sweetheart Loretta Neuharth his first marriage lasted 26 years. They had a son, but the daughter in January, he married the LORI Wilson, Florida State Senator, in 1973, they divorced in 1982. Ten years later, he married Rachel Fornes, a masseur. In short, they adopted six children.
After retirement, he Gannett Neuharth continue to write the truth, "USA Today" weekly column.
He also founded the Freedom Forum, a foundation dedicated to freedom of the press and freedom of expression, held a press conference to offer scholarships and provide training. It started in 1991 as a successor to the Gannett Foundation, the company's charitable organizations.
Freedom Forum, President and CEO Jim Duff said, "The base will be remembered for many pioneering achievements in the newspaper business, but one of his most lasting legacy will be his dedication to the education and training of new reporters," according to After the news on the museum website. Duff said, "He taught them the importance of not only a free press, but a level playing field."
With his entrepreneurial spirit, Neuharth an interactive museum to show visitors how to cover the news Newseum, Freedom Forum on the map. 1997 to 2002 in Arlington, Virginia, United States, is the first museum open. It is replaced by a value in Washington, $ 4.5 million facility opened in the spring of 2008. 500 million U.S. dollars of the Newscapade, roving exhibitions.
"Advertising Age" interview in June 2007, asked Neuharth the future printed newspaper news business turmoil.
, "He said:" We can assume that is the only news and information, consumers will continue to want more of the world continues to become a global village. "The question now is how will be distributed in print, online and in the air, I do not know how much will be delivered newsprint, some people will not even think that through our not yet been delivered."
 



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