This from Sam Zell:

Today we are announcing a transition in Tribune’s leadership.  Acting upon my recommendation, the board of directors has appointed Randy CEO and has elected him to the board.  I will continue as Tribune’s Chairman, providing strategic oversight and vision to the company’s management team.
 
During the last two years, we’ve achieved a seismic shift in Tribune’s focus and culture—we’re moving in the right direction and into the New Year with energy and optimism.
 
I have complete faith in Randy’s judgment and leadership.  No one will work harder for Tribune.  There is a great future ahead.
 
Sam

Here’s the Tribune’s coverage of the event.  And the official Tribune press release: Randy Michaels Appointed CEO.

Here’s a taste:

Our businesses are profitable and we’re gaining market-share and momentum in a tough environment.  The entire management team is focused on the long-term and keeping Tribune at the cutting-edge of creativity and innovation, which will translate into success on the bottom-line.”

I have to say that the language in the press release is so far removed from Michaels’ casual, profane and assertive style that I wonder if it is describing the same man I watched two years ago as he paced up and down the stage at the Bushnell swearing and extolling the company’s bright future. The man whose catch phrase was AFDI… Already Fucking Doing It… is sanitized down to a bunch of corporate pablum.

Reads to me like another carload of corporate manure they roll out and expect us to swallow.