BY JOHN ECKBERG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
F. Barry Berg
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F. Barry Berg, vice president of circulation for the San Antonio Express News, becomes vice president of circulation Dec. 14 for The Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati Post newspapers.
Mr. Berg started his career in newspapers as a carrier in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the Sun-Sentinel.
He later became a district circulation manager for the News - Sun-Sentinel in Palm Beach County, Fla., before working at six other news organizations.
Those early years as a carrier were invaluable, Mr. Berg said. He remained a carrier through junior high school, high school and college.
"I believe that that has been one of the biggest reasons for my success," Mr. Berg said. "It has helped me understand what people go through day in and day out."
Harry M. Whipple, president and publisher of The Cincinnati Enquirer, said the company spent months in a nationwide search to replace William W. Hunsberger, who was promoted in August to be president and publisher of the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., by the newspaper's parent company, Gannett Co. Inc.
"We wanted a circulation executive who had the strongest circulation credentials with an emphasis on customer service and circulation growth," Mr. Whipple said.
"He has been sought after
by several newspaper companies, and we are quite pleased that he has chosen to join us at The Cincinnati Enquirer and the Cincinnati Post."
Mr. Berg said reducing churn - the rate that subscribers drop the paper and then resubscribe - and boosting single-copy sales will be immediate and long-term goals. Providing solid service to subscribers also will be emphasized, he said.
"Basically, I am looking to come in and be part of a team and help that team improve readership," he said. "We want to do our best to continue to improve service to the customers."
Mr. Berg is married and the father of two adult children: Daniel, 22, and Michell, 20.
