Johnson Publishing Company names vp & editorial director for Ebony & Jet

Johnson Publishing Company President and CEO Linda Johnson Rice recently appointed Bryan Monroe vice president and editorial director of EBONY and JET Magazines. The former assistant president for news at Knight Ridder Inc. and current president of the National Association of Black Journalists begins his new post this week.

"This newly created position will be integral to Johnson Publishing Company as EBONY and JET move toward an exciting future," said Rice. "Bryan's knowledge and expertise will be a tremendous complement to the JPC editorial family and we are pleased to have his input in shaping the future direction of the magazines."

Monroe's distinguished journalism career includes 16 years at various Knight Ridder papers. At the San Jose Mercury News, he rose to the position of deputy managing editor, after having served as assistant managing editor, reporter, assistant city editor and design director. In 2005 he also led Knight Ridder's efforts during Hurricane Katrina, helping the staff of the newspaper in Biloxi, MS, publish continuously throughout the deadly storm and its aftermath. His and the team's efforts have since been awarded with the 2006 Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for Public Service.

"I welcome the opportunity to work with these icons I've known all my life and to help create a new chapter in their history," said Monroe. "I look forward to making JET even more cutting edge in its news coverage and expanding even more on EBONY's legacy and excellence."