Editorial cartoonist joining Investor's Business Daily

You rarely see business-related editorial cartoons in newspapers. Some of the weekly American City Business Journal newspapers have some good editorial cartoons.

Now, Investor’s Business Daily has upped the competition, hiring former LA Times editorial cartoonist Michael Ramirez. Ramirez left the general newspaper last year in a move that upset readers.

Here is part of the press release I received by e-mail. I have not been able to find this anywhere else on the Internet:

“‘IBD already has some of the best editorial writers in the business, so Michael Ramirez — who stands alone among editorial cartoonists — is a perfect fit,'” said Wes Mann, editor of Investor’s Business Daily.

“At a time when most newspapers are cutting staff, syndicating content and consolidating departments, Investor’s Business Daily’s decision to hire Mr. Ramirez is unconventional. It represents IBD’s ongoing effort to make the quality of its news and commentary a priority of the organization.

“‘The trend is cost-cutting efficiencies in the news world, and in some instances, media run the risk of weakening the quality of journalism and fostering the ‘corporatization’ of news,’ said Ramirez. ‘I’m pleased to join IBD because of its prestigious reputation – and the fact it has countered the media consolidation trend and is hiring to enhance journalism quality. It was apparent to me that in every segment of IBD, they’re continuing to innovate and provide cutting edge features and powerful and compelling editorials.’

“Mr. Ramirez is a Lincoln Fellow and has won several awards during his career, including the 1994 Pulitzer Prize, the UCI Medal from the University of California, Irvine and the Sigma Delta Chi Awards in 1995 and 1997. He has been the editorial cartoonist of the Los Angeles Times, the Commercial Appeal and USA Today, and is nationally syndicated in over 450 newspapers around the world.”

I have to admit that I don’t look at IBD that often, but am currently reading the book about the paper that came out in 2004. Ramirez’ hiring obviously gives them a prominent name in the journalism world.