Memos from P. Steven Ainsley, Janet Robinson

The following are memos to the staff of the Boston Globe and the New England Media Group by Boston Globe Publisher P. Steven Ainsley and The New York Times Co. chief executive, Janet Robinson:

Memo to staff

Dear Colleagues,

I am announcing today that I am retiring effective January 1, 2010, after a rewarding career of almost 32 years in the newspaper business, 27 of those years with The New York Times Company. That said, my three years as publisher of The Boston Globe rank as among my most satisfying.

While the past few years have been difficult for our business, the tremendous show of commitment to this institution from everyone who works here has been deeply meaningful to me. I am as proud of the people who work at The Globe, Boston.com, The Worcester Telegram & Gazette and Globe Direct as any group of people with whom I have ever been associated. In challenging times you have made every day enormously gratifying for me.

I am very pleased to announce that Chris Mayer, currently senior vice president, circulation and operations, will succeed me as publisher of The Boston Globe on January 1st. Those of you who have worked with Chris know just how capable, forward-thinking and inclusive a leader he is. His deep knowledge of all aspects of our business and industry will serve the Globe and Boston.com very well in the years ahead.

During the next few weeks, I will be working closely with Chris to assure a smooth transition.

Although I hope to have the opportunity to personally wish each of you well, allow me now to thank you for your support. It truly has been an honor to serve as publisher of this newspaper and to work alongside all of you.

-- Steve

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To the New England Media Group Staff:

We are pleased to announce that Chris Mayer has named publisher of The Boston Globe, and head of The New England Media Group, beginning on January 1, 2010. Chris is currently the senior vice president, circulations and operations, of the New England Media Group and a member of the Globe’s senior management team. As such, he has a wide range of responsibilities and is very well qualified for his next assignment.

Chris has a proven track record with broad experience in circulation, marketing, product distribution, production and information technology. This has enabled him to establish a strong history of tackling complex projects, working across all segments of the organization and producing impressive results.

As many of you also know, Chris is a high-energy, outgoing personality and is well-known for his proactive and collaborative leadership. All of this will be essential as the Globe moves into the future and becomes an even more effective multiplatform enterprise. He is sure to be an exceptional publisher and will build on its considerable legacy.

Please join me in congratulating Chris and offering him our best wishes.

As you know, Steven Ainsley, who has been publisher of the Globe since September 2006, is retiring at the end of the year. Steve has done an extraordinary job guiding The Boston Globe through a substantial economic downturn and dramatic technological change.

As you also know, over the past year Steve has shepherded a comprehensive financial strategy that has significantly strengthened the Globe and Boston.com and enhanced its ability to provide the New England community with high quality news and information. Steve has been an exceptional publisher and provided the Globe and Boston.com with effective and inspired leadership and will help in achieving a smooth transition.

Previously, Steve has served as president and chief operating officer of the Regional Newspaper Group. He had also had been a publisher at various New York Times Company owned newspapers and he did extremely well wherever he served.

Steve is also a member of The New York Times Company’s executive committee and his insight and counsel are greatly valued.

Steve will be greatly missed by all of us.

Janet