Story unfolds
DOWNTOWN — A 12-year-veteran of the newspaper business has assumed control over the editorial department at the Santa Monica Daily Press (SMDP) — the city’s lone daily newspaper.
A native of Northeast Philadel-phia, Michael Tittinger, 36, has spent the past four years at the SMDP, first serving as a columnist — “Tittinger’s Take” — then as associate editor.
Tittinger is expected to hire a second, full-time reporter within the next week, his first major move as editor.
Tittinger took control of the Daily Press’ editorial department earlier this week, following the departure of Carolyn Sackariason, who served as editor since the paper’s inception in November 2001. Sackariason is heading to Aspen, Colo., where she will spend the next three months on sabbatical.
A founding partner of Newlon Rouge, LLC., the parent company of the SMDP, Sackariason, 38, will continue to have input in the direction of the paper and contribute to content. She will serve as editor at-large.
“Its popularity is at an all-time high and continues to climb … We will continue to make the Daily Press the people’s paper and get more community members involved, expand our coverage, include more voices and present the news in an entertaining and informative way.” — Tittinger said
“There’s a lot to look forward to in terms of the SMDP right now,”
“I’m excited for Mike to take the paper to the next level of coverage for Santa Monica and the surrounding communities,” Sackariason said.“I have complete confidence in the editorial staff in continuing the mission of the SMDP, which is to be the dominant news source for residents and visitors.”
A newshound since graduating from Temple University with a degree in Communications and Journalism, Tittinger is no stranger to the fast-paced, high-stress world of reporting. Before serving as contributing editor and columnist for the SMDP, Tittinger was a news editor for Metro — Philadelphia’s largest, free daily newspaper. He also served as reporter and photographer, then ultimately editor, for Town and Country, a weekly newspaper in Pennsburg, Penn.
“At Town and Country, I developed a motto for the paper which was, ‘To inform, to educate, to entertain,’” Tittinger recalled. “That is what I am looking to bring to the SMDP. I really see journalism as a way to affect change in the community. That is what I will strive for.”
Ross Furukawa, the publisher of the SMDP, said he has full confidence in Tittinger’s ability to lead the newspaper as it heads into its sixth year of operation.
“While other newsrooms across the country seem to be shrinking, we’re excited to announce the addition of another reporter, who will add to the breadth and depth of our coverage,” Furukawa said. “In the beginning, no one trusted us. People thought we would be gone in six months.”
The Santa Monica Daily Press can be found at more than 800 locations throughout Santa Monica, Venice, Brentwood, West Los Angeles and Marina del Rey, with a daily readership of more than 33,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 5, 2006. Read the original PDF.