Former Atlanta daily biz columnist joins Atlanta business weekly

TALKING BIZ NEWS EXCLUSIVE

Maria Saporta, who wrote a business column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for 17 years and worked at the paper for more than two decades, will begin writing her column for the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Saporta’s last day at the Atlanta daily was Aug. 29 after taking the paper’s buyout offer. Her first column will appear in the Sept. 12 edition of the Business Chronicle, according to editor David Allison. She will write as a freelancer.

“Maria Saporta is the most recognized business reporter in Atlanta,” Allison tells Talking Biz News. “And the Chronicle is the most recognized source of business news in Atlanta. We’re thrilled she’s going to write for us. While many dailies are cutting back their business coverage, the Chronicle is continuing to grow.”

Saporta wrote a column for the Journal-Constitution that chronicled the movers and shakers in the Atlanta business community.

Before becoming a business columnist in 1991, Saporta was a business reporter for the newspaper. She spent eight years covering various beats, including economic development, international business, conventions, tourism, the Georgia Dome, Underground Atlanta, and the Coca-Cola Co.

Saporta began her career in 1980 with The Macon Telegraph. She received her master’s degree in urban studies from Georgia State University in 1980. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Saporta, an Atlanta native, is of European heritage and speaks French fluently.