Rich Jaroslovsky, vice president of content and chief journalist at SmartNews, sent out the following to his colleagues on Tuesday:
Last year, I informed Ken and Kaisei that 2023 would be my last year in a full-time role at SmartNews. There are a lot of reasons why, but mostly they boil down to: It feels like the right time.
I was, as you may know, the first hire at SmartNews US, and last June marked my ninth anniversary with the company. In that time, I’ve seen it grow and evolve from a tiny startup into an established and respected presence in both the U.S. and Japanese media markets.
Now, though, we’re entering a new phase of our maturation, with new challenges and new opportunities, and it feels like it’s time to make way for others. In particular, SmartNews is lucky indeed to have leaders like Wendy Bounds and Bernie Davis, whom I’ve been blessed to work with and who are fully prepared to help lead our content and business-development operations into this new era.
As for me, well, you’ll notice that I’m not using the dreaded R-word; I’m just not the retiring type. But there are still things I’d like to accomplish and opportunities I’d like to consider — some of which I already know, and some of which may find me.
Meanwhile, I am still going to be around full time through the end of this year and on a reduced schedule next year, and will be working on a number of issues for the company. And of course I’ll be available to provide input or perspective wherever and whenever I can be of use.
I joined SmartNews back in 2014 because I believed in the mission, believed in the product and believed in its leaders. Through all that’s happened since, I still feel the same. I’m proud of all we’ve achieved together — and optimistic about the prospects for the future.
Bounds is succeeding Jaroslovsky as vice president, and Davis, who he brought in to head publisher relations, is also having his role expanded and will report to Bounds.
