Gary Pruitt

McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt has been named new Associated Press president and CEO, succeeding Tom Curley. The AP announced the appointment this evening after I called to confirm a solid tip from a Romenesko reader. (Thanks to that person — and keep them coming! jim@jimromenesko.com)

Dean Singleton, outgoing chairman of the AP Board of Directors, says in a release:

Gary has deep experience in the changing world of the news industry, an acute business sense and an overriding understanding of and commitment to AP’s news mission. His background as a First Amendment lawyer is a hand-in-glove fit with AP’s long leadership role in fighting for open government and freedom of information. And, he knows AP well.

* McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt is named Associated Press president and CEO
* CFO Patrick Talamantes is promoted to McClatchy president
* Read what Pruitt said about newspapers in a speech a few years ago

Read Pruitt’s note to McClatchy employees and memo to AP staff after the jump.
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What is it with Starbucks and spelling errors? I asked yesterday. (VEGATABLES! COMPLEMENTARY WI-FI!) Today a Romenesko reader tips us off to another incredible Starbucks misspelling: “Interducing.” Raven Baxter tweeted the photo below this afternoon and wrote: “#USF #Starbucks please do better.”

* N.C. federal prison bans Monday’s USA Today over sex-offender report with “highly sensitive” information. (USA Today)
* “Paranoia among school hierarchies might be damaging the psyches of student journalists across the nation.” (Boston Phoenix)
* Journalist who blew whistle on Jayson Blair says NYT’s commitment to newsroom diversity is “a lot of bullshit.” (San Antonio Current)
* Gawker’s writers are having more fun these days. (Nieman Journalism Lab)
* Freelance horse-racing photographer says Forbes.com lifted his photo. (New York Post)
* Boy’s really cute thank-you note to meteorologist goes viral. (KENS5.com)

From Slate:

If you’re a journalist, making stuff up is not a good career move. If you’re a fantasy writer, on the other hand, you’d better make stuff up by the chapter-load, or you’ll be out of a gig. But what if you fall somewhere in the middle?

Cable Neuhaus

Cable Neuhaus left his position as Newsmax Media creative director on Tuesday. “I have no immediate plans,” the veteran journalist says in an email. “Will chill for a bit before re-entering the fray. Seems there will be opportunities.” Neuhaus joined Newsmax six years ago as editorial director and became creative director about two years ago. The monthly conservative magazine is expected to undergo some changes. I’ve asked publisher Christopher Ruddy to describe them and will post his response when/if it comes in.

It’s Wednesday and that means it’s EatBeat day at the Grand Forks Herald. Marilyn Hagerty reviews New York’s Le Bernardin, and here are a few things that the 85-year-old columnist likes about the place:

* We found the ambience appealing

* At the beginning of the meal, the waiter asked if we had any food allergies.

* We noticed small, little tables where women can place their purses. No need to sit there wrestling with a bag all evening.

* Elegant food, impeccable service define Le Bernardin
* Meanwhile in Denver…. Restaurant closes a day before it’s reviewed

Veteran Tribune Co. and Chicago News Cooperative editor James O’Shea tells Nieman Reports:

Journalists of my era often responded to the challenges posed by the industry’s shifting business model with the retort: “That’s a business side problem.” More often than not, though, the business side’s answer was budget cuts that diminished journalism. Tomorrow’s newsroom leaders must take responsibility for the success of the enterprise by convincing themselves, readers and owners alike of something that has always been true: Good journalism is good business.

American Journalism Review asked editors the same question in 2002. Here’s what they said then.

* What former top newspaper editors would have done differently
* More from the Spring 2012 issue of Nieman Reports

Lee Enterprises CEO Mary Junck will tell shareholders today that the newspaper chain plans to introduce digital subscriber programs in more Lee markets within the next three months and expects to have them in most newspapers by the end of the year. “We’re excited about the opportunities we see for digital subscriptions,” she says. From the press release:

She said reception of a digital subscriber program at six newspapers in Montana and Wyoming has been good. She said there has been no adverse effect on digital advertising revenue, that the number of unique visits has continued to grow, and that page views have remained strong.

She shared updated market studies showing that Lee`s newspapers and digital products reach 82% of the adults in its 12 largest markets over a week, including 80% of people 18-29 years old.

She said mobile and tablet audience growth has been “breathtaking,” with page views up 225% in January 2012 compared with a year ago.

* Lee Enterprises plans more digital subscriptions