NEW YORK, June 14, 2018 —Hearst Newspapers today named Bill Nagel publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle, replacing Jeff Johnson who was named president of Hearst Newspapers in February. The announcement was made by Hearst Executive Vice President and COO Mark Aldam and Johnson.
With more than 4,000 employees across the nation, Hearst Newspapers publishes 24 dailies and 64 weeklies, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, The New Haven Register and Albany Times Union. It also operates digital marketing services and directories businesses under the LocalEdge brand.

The San Francisco Chronicle is the largest newspaper in Northern California and the second largest on the West Coast. Acquired by Hearst in 2000, the San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 by Charles and Michael de Young and has been awarded six Pulitzer Prizes for journalistic excellence.
“Bill has a great track record in our industry and has successfully managed large businesses at both Cox and the Los Angeles Times,” Johnson said. “He brings great experience, especially with driving audience engagement and consumer revenue, and will be a great addition to the team in San Francisco.”
Nagel joins Hearst from Cox Media Group, where he most recently served as vice president, shared audience, and led a shared services business for four markets. He joined Cox in 2016 from Tribune Publishing, where he held several positions, including general manager/business services, executive vice president, marketing and general manager and executive vice president business services at the Los Angeles Times (2009-2013). He has also served as senior vice president/business channels for the San Diego Union-Tribune beginning in June 2008.
“I am excited to return to California and join the award-winning team at the San Francisco Chronicle,” Nagel said. “It is encouraging to see the commitment of Hearst to its brands, particularly in the Bay area. My goal is to ensure that San Francisco is served by a great newspaper in all its forms.”