Almost 114 years ago, three printers set up shop in Joplin on the northeast corner of Second and Main streets, and created a paper that later would become The Joplin Globe.
Lumley C. McCarn, Frank Tew and O.P. Meloy, all supporters of William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic presidential nominee of the day, printed up a paper called The Mail.
By the time the red-hot 1896 campaign was over — Bryan, of course was defeated — the three printers’ venture had grown considerably, even though they had failed in their original purpose. On Aug. 17, 1899, the Globe was incorporated as a stock company by its three founders as The Joplin Globe Publishing Company. At the turn of the century, a new building was built on Virginia Avenue, and in 1910, A.H. Rogers purchased controlling interest and is considered our paper’s first publisher, although I imagine those three enterprising printers would beg to differ. So, in 100 years, the Globe has officially had eight publishers. On Monday, No. 9 will be in the house.
Mike Beatty, most recently the publisher of the Baltimore Examiner, will hit the ground running this week. He was named to the job on Jan. 28, and succeeds Dan Chiodo, who had been publisher since 1996.
A lot of people have asked me during the past month about the role of a publisher. Some were more direct: “What exactly does a publisher do?” they want to know. I used to ask the same thing myself. When I was a cub reporter, I mostly tried to stay out of harm’s way. So when Richard Barker, my first Globe publisher from 1979 to 1987, would stroll through the hall, I would just smile and try to look like I knew what I was doing and where I was going. John Wilcox, I knew a little better. He was my publisher from 1987 to 1996. Dan was the only publisher to whom I reported directly.
Here’s how Mike Beatty describes the role of a publisher:
“The role of today’s publisher has taken on new dimensions over the years. Today’s publishers are leaders of multi-media companies with the charge of being innovators of change as we learn to adapt in the ever-changing new and exciting business climates. The No. 1 goal is to continue to find ways to provide exclusive and relevant news and information to our readers in the way that they want it delivered.
“The publisher must foster excellence in journalism and in the service of our readers and advertisers. The culture of the organization must be that of enterprise, with an entrepreneurial spirit. The publisher must be able to guide the organization through change when necessary and most importantly have the right people who can and are willing to adapt.
“The publisher must be deeply rooted in the communities that he serves from both the business and community side, so he is keenly aware of all the key issues that affect the readers and advertisers. We must set and articulate the strategies and vision for the organization that will grow the business, both top line and bottom line while at the same time nurturing and fostering growth for our employees within the organization. The publisher is responsible for the financial health and makes the necessary choices as it relates to the profits of the company
“The publisher, with its editorial board, formulates the opinions of the newspaper while at the same time being sure all voices are heard fairly and equally. We are the defenders of the First Amendment as we have an obligation and duty to do so.”
In the near future, we’ll be inviting our readers in to meet Mike Beatty in an open-house type setting. Feel free to ask him other questions. For today, I just thought I’d get the ball rolling.
Carol Stark is editor of The Joplin Globe. Address correspondence to her, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, Mo. 64802 or e-mail cstark@joplinglobe.com.
