Matt DeRienzo Named Journal Register Company Connecticut Group Editor
August 22, 2011
Will Lead Journal Register Company Newsgathering Efforts at New Haven Register, Connecticut Magazine, Register Citizen and Middletown Press
Yardley, PA – Journal Register Company, a leading multi-media company in local news and information, announced today the appointment of Matt DeRienzo as Connecticut Group Editor.
DeRienzo, who has served as publisher for Central Connecticut prior to today’s appointment, has led the Company’s open-to-the-public-newsroom in Torrington, Conn. and is a finalist for the Associated Press Managing Editors Innovator of the Year Award.
“With our newsrooms and the expansion of our partnerships, we are creating the largest locally focused newsgathering network in Connecticut,” said Jon Cooper, Vice President of Content for Journal Register Company. “Matt will work – under the direction of our newly appointed Editor-in-Chief Jim Brady – to improve the quality of our journalism, especially our political coverage and our in-depth reporting efforts.”
In his new role Mr. DeRienzo will be responsible for all newsgathering operations at The New Haven Register, Connecticut Magazine, The Register Citizen, The Middletown Press, as well as the weekly publications owned and operated by the Company.
DeRienzo, who previously served as publisher of The Register Citizen and Foothills Media Group since February 2008 and, recently as publisher for Central Connecticut, oversaw The Middletown Press, The West Hartford News and the Housatonic Media Group, including The Litchfield County Times – the Suburban Newspapers of America Newspaper of the Year for 2010.
“While the focus of the Open Newsroom in Torrington is an open dialogue with our audience, we now have an opportunity to expand that conversation. We have a responsibility to our readership – and to the residents of Connecticut – to improve the quality of the journalism we do,” said Mr. DeRienzo.
Earlier this year The Register Citizen was named the first-ever Innovator of the Month by the Associated Press Managing Editors for its Open Newsroom which features a Newsroom Café, free WiFi, open archives, a community meeting space and classroom, and workstations for members of the Community Media Lab.
“Matt’s innovative efforts in Torrington haven’t just attracted attention inside the Company, but also from the industry at large. So as we intensify the push toward our digital future, he was the obvious choice for this new, challenging role,” said Mr. Brady.
Prior to serving as publisher at The Register Citizen, Mr. DeRienzo was Corporate Director of News for Journal Register Company and prior to that he served as editor of The Register Citizen. Mr. DeRienzo also worked for The Eagle Times in Claremont, New Hampshire.
Mr. DeRienzo resides in Torrington, Connecticut where he is a member of the Torrington Rotary Club and serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Northwest Connecticut and for the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
About Journal Register Company
Journal Register Company is a leader in local news and information in 10 states. The Company’s more than 350 multi-platform products reach an audience of 19.5 million people each month. For more information visit the company website at www.JournalRegister.com.
Contact:
Jonathan Cooper Vice President, Content 215-867-2022 jcooper@journalregister.com
