Eric Beecher

Eric Beecher (born c. 1951) is an Australian journalist, editor, and media proprietor. He is chair of Solstice Media and Private Media, publisher of Crikey.

Early life

Eric Beecher was born around 1951.[1]

Career

Beecher began working as a journalist on The Age in Melbourne, later moving to London to work on The Sunday Times and The Observer. He subsequently worked on The Washington Post in the US.[1]

He became the youngest-ever editor of the Sydney Morning Herald in 1984, aged 33. He remained in this position until 1987,[1] when he became editor-in-chief of The Herald and Weekly Times group. for three years.[1][2]

In 1990, Beecher founded Text Publishing, becoming CEO and major shareholder of the company.[1] He sold Text to Fairfax Media in 2003 for A$64.6 million.[3]

He purchased Crikey in 2005 for $1 million from its founder Stephen Mayne, a former Liberal staffer.[4][5]

Beecher is founding chair and shareholder in Australian Independent Business Media, publisher of the online magazines Business Spectator[6] (later sold to News Limited[7]) and Eureka Report.[8][1]

As of 2024 Beecher is chair of Solstice Media, which publishes InDaily and the superannuation-funded general news site, The New Daily, and Private Media, publisher of Crikey, The Mandarin, and other websites.[1][9][10]

Other activities

From 2008 until 2017, Beecher was chair of The Wheeler Centre.[1]

He delivered the annual Andrew Olle Media Lecture in 2008.[1]

Awards

In 2007, he received a Walkley Award for journalistic leadership.[11][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Eric Beecher". Public Interest Journalism Initiative. Retrieved 15 June 2024. In 1984, at age 33, he became the youngest-ever editor of the Sydney Morning Herald...
  2. ^ "Eric Beecher". Melbourne Writers Festival. Retrieved 23 December 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Fairfax makes friendly bid for Text Media". The Age. 30 September 2003. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Eric Beecher". friendlyjordies. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Crikey Sold To Beecher For $1 Million". AustralianPolitics.com. 2 February 2005. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  6. ^ Jackson, Sally (24 August 2009). "Fairfax accuses website of plagiarism". The Australian. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  7. ^ Heffernan, Madeleine (21 June 2012). "News buys Business Spectator owner for $30m". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 20 November 2013.
  8. ^ "About Eureka". Eureka Report. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  9. ^ "About". The New Daily. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  10. ^ Heffernan, Madeleine (20 March 2014). "No crisis at Crikey, says Private Media chief". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Past Winners - Eric Beecher". The Walkley Foundation. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2011.