Emmett Smelser Named President and Publisher of the Star Press in Muncie
ARLINGTON, VA – Emmett K. Smelser has been named president and publisher of The Star Press at Muncie, Ind., it was announced today.
Smelser formerly held a similar position at the Palladium-Item at Richmond, Ind. He succeeds Henry Bird, who resigned.
“Emmett is a veteran Indiana editor and publisher who understands the issues of the state,” said Gary L. Watson. “This experience will serve him well in addressing the needs of the readers and advertisers of The Star Press.”
Smelser began his career with Gannett in 1968 in the News Department of the Palladium-Item, where he served in several management roles, including executive editor.
In 1987, he was named president and publisher of the Marietta (Ohio) Times. He returned to the Palladium-Item in 1993.
Smelser holds degrees from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso and Ball State University in Muncie.
A successor in Richmond will be named shortly.
Gannett Co., Inc. is an international news and information company that publishes 99 daily newspapers in the USA, including USA TODAY, the nation’s largest-selling daily newspaper. The company also owns in excess of 300 non-daily publications in the USA and USA WEEKEND, a weekly newspaper magazine. In the United Kingdom, Gannett subsidiary Newsquest plc publishes nearly 300 titles, including 15 daily newspapers. Gannett also operates 22 television stations in the United States and is an Internet leader with sites sponsored by most of its TV stations and newspapers including USATODAY.com, one of the most popular news sites on the Web.