Allen Neuharth
Encyclopedia
Allen Harold "Al" Neuharth (born March 22, 1924, Eureka
, South Dakota
) is an American businessman, author, and columnist. He is the founder of USA Today
, The Freedom Forum, and its Newseum
.
. He worked on his grandfather’s farm. As a youngster, he also delivered the Minneapolis Tribune
but he gave that up for a better paying job in the meat industry, sweeping up in the meat plants and slaughtering animals. Neuharth graduated high school from Alpena High School, Alpena
, SD, where he was editor of the school's newspaper, the Alpena Journal. At the age of 19, Neuharth served in the Army in World War II. As a member of the 86th Infantry Division, Neuharth was deployed to France, Germany and the Philippines.
in Vermillion
, where he edited the school newspaper, The Volante. He maintains an affiliation with the university and has an office in the Contemporary Media and Journalism building, The Al Neuharth Media Center. He offers a scholarship called "The Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship" honoring graduating high school students who exemplify the qualities of a "free spirit" and aim to pursue a career in journalism.
After his failure, Neuharth went to the Miami Herald, where he made his way up to assistant managing editor. In 1960, the Knight newspaper chain (later a part of Knight-Ridder), which owned the Herald, sent him to its Detroit Free Press
, which was fighting an uphill battle with the Detroit News, which Neuharth would later buy while at Gannett.
After Neuharth decided that he could go no further in the Knight organization due to the Knight family's control, in 1963 he accepted Gannett head Paul Miller
's offer to move to Gannett's headquarters in Rochester, New York
, first to run its paper there, the Democrat and Chronicle
; he took charge of Gannett Florida in 1966. He started Today in Cocoa, Florida
, which eventually became Florida Today
. The color schemes used in Florida Today became an inspiration for the initial format for USA Today. He then ran the boardroom under Miller, whom he eventually succeeded in 1973. He helped to build Gannett into the largest newspaper company in the United States During his tenure, Gannett revenues expanded 1,450%. In 1979 Gannett owned 78 daily and 21 weekly newspapers, seven television and over a dozen radio stations, outdoor advertising plants, and the Louis Harris
& Associates research firm. The reason Gannett purchased Harris was because the firm was doing extremely expensive research for Neuharth to determine the advisability of starting a new national newspaper.
since 1991. Each year, the Freedom Forum
gives out the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media. Past winners include Walter Cronkite
(1989), Carl T. Rowan (1990), Helen Thomas
(1991), Tom Brokaw
(1992), Larry King
(1993), Charles Kuralt
of CBS (1994), Albert R. Hunt and Judy Woodruff
(1995), Robert MacNeil
(1996), Cokie Roberts
(1997), Tim Russert
and Louis D. Boccardi (1998), John Seigenthaler
(1999), Jim Lehrer
(2001), Tom Curley
(2002), Don Hewitt
of CBS (2004), Garrison Keillor
(2005), Bob Schieffer
of CBS (2006), John Quinn
and Ken Paulson
(2007), Charles Overby (2008), Katie Couric
(2009), and Brian Lamb
of C-SPAN
(2011).
"The First Amendment guarantees a free press. We in the media must make sure it is a fair press."
He resides in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He also maintains a residence in Eureka, South Dakota.
Eureka, South Dakota
Eureka is a city in McPherson County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 868 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Eureka is located at ....
, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
) is an American businessman, author, and columnist. He is the founder of USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
, The Freedom Forum, and its Newseum
Newseum
The Newseum is an interactive museum of news and journalism located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. The seven-level, museum features 15 theaters and 14 galleries. The Newseum's Berlin Wall Gallery includes the largest display of sections of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany...
.
Early life
Neuharth’s parents were Daniel J. and Christina (who married on January 11, 1916). Daniel died when Allen was two. Allen needed to help his family survive the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. He worked on his grandfather’s farm. As a youngster, he also delivered the Minneapolis Tribune
Star Tribune
The Star Tribune is the largest newspaper in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is published seven days each week in an edition for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. A statewide version is also available across Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The...
but he gave that up for a better paying job in the meat industry, sweeping up in the meat plants and slaughtering animals. Neuharth graduated high school from Alpena High School, Alpena
Alpena, South Dakota
Alpena is a town in Jerauld County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 286 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Alpena is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, SD, where he was editor of the school's newspaper, the Alpena Journal. At the age of 19, Neuharth served in the Army in World War II. As a member of the 86th Infantry Division, Neuharth was deployed to France, Germany and the Philippines.
Education
After the war, Neuharth attended the University of South DakotaUniversity of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
in Vermillion
Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermillion is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the tenth largest city in the state. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 10,571. Vermillion lies atop a bluff near the Missouri River.The area has been home to...
, where he edited the school newspaper, The Volante. He maintains an affiliation with the university and has an office in the Contemporary Media and Journalism building, The Al Neuharth Media Center. He offers a scholarship called "The Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship" honoring graduating high school students who exemplify the qualities of a "free spirit" and aim to pursue a career in journalism.
News career
Neuharth and fellow USD alum Bill Porter founded SoDak Sports, a weekly newspaper devoted to covering the sports scene in South Dakota. Despite its initial popularity, the weekly SoDak Sports went bankrupt in a year's time, losing Neuharth the $50,000 he had borrowed.After his failure, Neuharth went to the Miami Herald, where he made his way up to assistant managing editor. In 1960, the Knight newspaper chain (later a part of Knight-Ridder), which owned the Herald, sent him to its Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
, which was fighting an uphill battle with the Detroit News, which Neuharth would later buy while at Gannett.
After Neuharth decided that he could go no further in the Knight organization due to the Knight family's control, in 1963 he accepted Gannett head Paul Miller
Paul Miller (journalist)
Paul Miller was an American newspaper executive and journalist. He headed the Gannett newspaper chain from 1957 to 1973. Miller also served as the top official of the Associated Press from 1963 to 1977.-Early years:...
's offer to move to Gannett's headquarters in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, first to run its paper there, the Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat and Chronicle
The Democrat and Chronicle is the most widely circulated daily newspaper in the greater Rochester, New York area. Located at 55 Exchange Boulevard in downtown Rochester, the Democrat and Chronicle operates under the ownership of Gannett. The paper's production facility is located in the town of...
; he took charge of Gannett Florida in 1966. He started Today in Cocoa, Florida
Cocoa, Florida
Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,412 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 16,478. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Cocoa was...
, which eventually became Florida Today
Florida Today
Florida Today is the major daily newspaper serving Brevard County. The Gannett corporation bought the paper in 1966.In addition to its regular daily publication, Florida Today publishes four weekly and eight biweekly community newspapers which are tailored for distinct neighborhoods within Brevard...
. The color schemes used in Florida Today became an inspiration for the initial format for USA Today. He then ran the boardroom under Miller, whom he eventually succeeded in 1973. He helped to build Gannett into the largest newspaper company in the United States During his tenure, Gannett revenues expanded 1,450%. In 1979 Gannett owned 78 daily and 21 weekly newspapers, seven television and over a dozen radio stations, outdoor advertising plants, and the Louis Harris
Louis Harris
Louis Harris is an American opinion polling entrepreneur, journalist, and author. He ran one of the best-known polling organizations of his time, Louis Harris and Associates, which conducted the Harris Poll.-Life and career:...
& Associates research firm. The reason Gannett purchased Harris was because the firm was doing extremely expensive research for Neuharth to determine the advisability of starting a new national newspaper.
USA Today
Neuharth founded USA Today in 1982, and it is now the most widely read newspaper in the country. Neuharth retired from Gannett on March 31, 1989, at the age of 65."Plain Talk" Column
Although retired, Neuharth in August 2010 was still writing a regular column called "Plain Talk."Freedom Forum
Neuharth founded and has served as chairman of the Freedom ForumFreedom Forum
The Freedom Forum was created in 1991 under the direction of Al Neuharth, former publisher of USA Today newspaper. Funding was provided by a foundation started by publisher Frank E. Gannett in 1935, called the Gannett Foundation...
since 1991. Each year, the Freedom Forum
Freedom Forum
The Freedom Forum was created in 1991 under the direction of Al Neuharth, former publisher of USA Today newspaper. Funding was provided by a foundation started by publisher Frank E. Gannett in 1935, called the Gannett Foundation...
gives out the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media. Past winners include Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite
Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. was an American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years . During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll...
(1989), Carl T. Rowan (1990), Helen Thomas
Helen Thomas
Helen Thomas is an American author and former news service reporter, member of the White House Press Corps and opinion columnist. She worked for the United Press and post-1958 successor United Press International for 57 years, first as a correspondent, and later as White House bureau manager...
(1991), Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw
Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw is an American television journalist and author best known as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004. He is the author of The Greatest Generation and other books and the recipient of numerous awards and honors...
(1992), Larry King
Larry King
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" King is an American television and radio host whose work has been recognized with awards including two Peabodys and ten Cable ACE Awards....
(1993), Charles Kuralt
Charles Kuralt
Charles Kuralt was an American journalist. He was most widely known for his long career with CBS, first for his "On the Road" segments on The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, and later as the first anchor of CBS News Sunday Morning, a position he held for fifteen years.Kuralt's "On the Road"...
of CBS (1994), Albert R. Hunt and Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff is an American television news anchor and journalist.Woodruff is a Board Member at the IWMF .-Broadcast journalism career:...
(1995), Robert MacNeil
Robert MacNeil
Robert Breckenridge Ware MacNeil, OC, known sometimes as Robin MacNeil, , is currently a novelist and formerly was a television news anchor and journalist who had paired with Jim Lehrer to create The MacNeil/Lehrer Report in 1975.-Early life:MacNeil was born in Montreal, the son of Margaret...
(1996), Cokie Roberts
Cokie Roberts
Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne Roberts , best known as Cokie Roberts, is an American Emmy Award-winning journalist and bestselling author. She is a contributing senior news analyst for National Public Radio as well as a regular roundtable analyst for the current This Week with Christiane...
(1997), Tim Russert
Tim Russert
Timothy John "Tim" Russert was an American television journalist and lawyer who appeared for more than 16 years as the longest-serving moderator of NBC's Meet the Press. He was a senior vice president at NBC News, Washington bureau chief and also hosted the eponymous CNBC/MSNBC weekend interview...
and Louis D. Boccardi (1998), John Seigenthaler
John Seigenthaler
John Lawrence Seigenthaler is an American journalist, writer, and political figure. He is known as a prominent defender of First Amendment rights....
(1999), Jim Lehrer
Jim Lehrer
James Charles "Jim" Lehrer is an American journalist and the executive editor and former news anchor for PBS NewsHour on PBS, known for his role as a frequent debate moderator during elections...
(2001), Tom Curley
Tom Curley
Thomas "Tom" Curley is the President of the Associated Press, the world's largest news organization.-Biography:Curley was born in Easton, Pennsylvania. At age 15, he started writing for the Easton Express...
(2002), Don Hewitt
Don Hewitt
Donald Shepard "Don" Hewitt was an American television news producer and executive, best known for creating 60 Minutes, the CBS television news magazine, in 1968, which at the time of his death, was the longest-running prime-time broadcast on American television...
of CBS (2004), Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor
Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor is an American author, storyteller, humorist, and radio personality. He is known as host of the Minnesota Public Radio show A Prairie Home Companion Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor (born August 7, 1942) is an American author, storyteller, humorist, and radio...
(2005), Bob Schieffer
Bob Schieffer
Bob Lloyd Schieffer is an American television journalist who has been with CBS News since 1969, serving 23 years as anchor on the Saturday edition of CBS Evening News from 1973 to 1996; chief Washington correspondent since 1982, moderator of the Sunday public affairs show Face the Nation since...
of CBS (2006), John Quinn
John Quinn
John Quinn or Jack Quinn is the name of:*Jack Quinn , White House counsel, 1995–1996*Jack Quinn , Congressman from New York*Jack Quinn III, Assemblyman from Erie County, New York and son of the Congressman...
and Ken Paulson
Ken Paulson
Ken Paulson is the former editor in chief of USA Today. His alma mater is the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.He is the creator and writer of Freedom Sings, a musical presentation celebrating the First Amendment.-External Links:*...
(2007), Charles Overby (2008), Katie Couric
Katie Couric
Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric is an American journalist and author. She serves as Special Correspondent for ABC News, contributing to ABC World News, Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, This Week and primetime news specials...
(2009), and Brian Lamb
Brian Lamb
Brian Patrick Lamb is the founder and chief executive officer of C-SPAN, a television network dedicated to coverage of government proceedings and public affairs. Born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana, Lamb earned a degree from Purdue University before joining the United States Navy...
of C-SPAN
C-SPAN
C-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
(2011).
Quotes
"We in the media could help [the insurance situation] if we put in proper perspective long range hurricane forecasts that often are exaggerated and play into insurers' hands.""The First Amendment guarantees a free press. We in the media must make sure it is a fair press."
Family
Neuharth had two adult children from his first marriage on June 16, 1946, to Loretta F. Helgeland. He was divorced by 1987 and living in Cocoa Beach, Florida. His second wife was Lori Wilson, who became a Florida state senator. Their marriage lasted seven years. He is married to Rachel Fornes, a Cocoa Beach, Florida, chiropractor. They adopted eight children. Neuharth also fathered an out-of-wedlock daughter, Rosamunda Neuharth-Ozgo, but never acknowledged her.He resides in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He also maintains a residence in Eureka, South Dakota.
External links
- NAA Honors Allen H. Neuharth for Lifetime of Achievement
- USA Today, They can only dream of holidays at home December 22, 2004
- USA Today, Shock and awe' or shame and sorrow? December 16, 2004
- USA Today Dead or alive, slick Castro still smirking August 3, 2006