A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Emmy-nominated producer is being named executive editor of the Chicago Reader, the alt-weekly’s parent company, Sun-Times Media LLC, announced today.
Mark Konkol brings years of reporting and writing experience with the Chicago Sun-Times, DNAInfo, and the Daily Southtown into his new role as well as an extensive background in television production.
While at the Sun-Times, Konkol was awarded the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting with reporter Frank Main and photographer John J. Kim for the series “Why they won’t stop shooting in Chicago.” Most recently, he served as a writer and senior producer on the TV miniseries Time: The Kalief Browder Story and as a writer and producer on the CNN documentary Chicagoland, which he also narrated.
“This is a once-in-forever opportunity for me. I’m thankful to Sun-Times CEO Edwin Eisendrath and his team, and even more excited to start kicking ass,” Konkol said. “The Reader has always been a tastemaker, a stick-in-the-eye to the status quo, and a strong cultural brand with unlimited potential.”
In his new role, Konkol will be tasked with maintaining the Reader‘s history as the social-justice and cultural voice of Chicago while developing and executing a digital content strategy to ensure that that voice remains strong well into the future.
“With the help of a strong staff that has their fingers on the pulse of Chicago’s cultural scene, we’re going to set a new vibe, take risks, and make waves,” Konkol said.
Konkol, 44, grew up in South Holland, graduated from Thornwood High School, and is a graduate of Western Illinois University. He now lives in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood and has his own rock band.
Jake Malooley will remain the Reader’s editor in chief.