Daily American, April 7

Calif. advertising chief takes helm at Daily American

By Brian Schrock
Daily American Staff Writer

Andy Bruns, a 41-year-old Hollister, Calif., resident with an extensive background in newspaper advertising, has been named the Daily American's new publisher.

Bruns is vice president of advertising for the Mainstreet Media Group, a leading producer of community newspapers in California.

He replaces former Publisher Doug Caldwell, who left the newspaper March 27 to oversee Schurz Communications' newly acquired Michigan operations. The South Bend, Ind., company also owns the Daily American.

Bruns is scheduled to begin his new job May 1.

“I'm just thrilled to be coming to Somerset and I really want to make it my new hometown,” he said. “I think it's a beautiful community with tons of opportunities for the future.”

Bruns was selected from a group of about a dozen applicants, according to Charles Pittman, senior vice president of newspaper operations for Schurz Communications. Pittman said the position drew interest from people from Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, California and New York.

Bruns was favored for his energy, his sales and marketing experience, his experience creating new publications, and his familiarity with both print and online content, Pittman said.

“I think if you look at it from an all-around perspective -- as someone who is energetic and brings new ideas and perspectives -- Andrew is the one who stood out the most,” he said.

Bruns grew up in Taylorville, a small former coal-mining town in central Illinois.

“It was very similar to Somerset in a lot of ways,” he said.

Like Caldwell, Bruns graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in journalism specializing in advertising and a minor in psychology. He worked as an account executive, advertising director and assistant publisher at various newspapers in Illinois and Wisconsin before joining the Mainstreet Media Group in January 2004.

Bruns is the day-to-day advertising director for The Gilroy Dispatch, The Morgan Hill Times, The Hollister Free Lance and The Pinnacle newspapers along the central coast of California. The Gilroy Dispatch and The Hollister Free Lance are small daily newspapers. The Morgan Hill Times and The Pinnacle are published bi-weekly and weekly, respectively.

As vice president of advertising, Bruns also oversees advertising decisions at five other weekly newspapers, another bi-weekly and an alternative weekly called Good Times Santa Cruz. The publications, some of which are distributed for free, have a combined weekly circulation of more than 290,000.

Bruns will be responsible for overseeing all operations at the Daily American, a growing daily newspaper with a paid circulation of just over 14,000.

“He's responsible for the overall health and growth of the Daily American. He's responsible for representing the Schurz name and family within that community. And he's responsible for doing his level best to help the community grow and prosper,” Pittman said.

Bruns will take over for Business Manager Becky Flyte, who has been serving as interim publisher in Caldwell's absence.

“We are very excited to welcome someone of Andy's caliber to the publisher position at the Daily American,” Flyte said. “He will bring a wealth of newspaper experience and allow us to continue to grow with this community. I think he will be an excellent fit in our newspaper and our community.”

Bruns visited Somerset once during the interviewing process. He said he hopes to move here permanently by the end of April.

“I welcome anyone to pick up the telephone and call me on May 1,” he said. “I would love to hear from the community and staff. I'm really looking forward to becoming a part of Somerset. I'm really looking forward to putting down roots.”

Bruns joked that the weather played no role in his decision. He is an avid skier who spent years working in Chippewa Falls, Wis., where the temperature would remain below zero for weeks at a time.

“And I'm not talking wind-chill factor,” he said with a laugh.

Bruns has been married to his wife, Jackie, since August 2000. The couple has a 2-year-old son, Parker, and a second child due in July.

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