L.A. Times names new publisher

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Times has named Eddy Hartenstein as its new publisher.

The former DirecTV chief will take charge Monday, filling the post vacated July 14 by David Hiller at the same time as staff cutbacks, the newspaper announced Saturday. Hartenstein will be faced with sharp declines in circulation and advertising revenues.

"I'm not coming into this with blinders on," said Hartenstein, 57. "I realize that the problems are huge and daunting, but I don't believe there's anything that can't be fixed as long as everyone is pulling in the same direction."

Hartenstein will be the Times' fourth publisher since the newspaper was purchased by the Tribune Corp. in 2000. The Times also has had four editors since 2005. But he said he had "no intention of changing the editor of the Los Angeles Times."

Hartenstein met with Tribune head Sam Zell in July concerning the newspaper's future.

"I wanted to know that I would have the ability ... to call the shots," said Hartenstein, adding that Zell "basically said, 'You're the publisher and (chief executive officer). It's yours to run,' and that was pretty much it."