Torstar Announces John Cruickshank Stepping Down as Publisher of the Toronto Star and President of Star Media Group

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - March 16, 2016) - Torstar Corporation (TSX: TS.B) today announced that John Cruickshank will be stepping down as Publisher of the Toronto Star and President of Star Media Group effective May 4, 2016. David Holland, President and CEO of Torstar Corporation, will assume Mr. Cruickshank's responsibilities on an interim basis. 

Mr. Cruickshank has served as Publisher of the Toronto Star since January 2009 and was the 9^th Publisher in the newspaper's 124-year history.

"John's leadership and strategic thinking in all aspects of the business have had a significant positive impact on Torstar," Holland said. "Again and again, he made the tough and innovative decisions necessary to move the Toronto Star forward in these challenging times."

"Ever since he took over as Publisher, John has led the Toronto Star to new editorial heights and our record in investigative reporting is second to none," said John Honderich, Chair of the Board of Torstar. "At the same time, he has wisely and innovatively guided Star Media Group through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history. We owe him a great deal."

Mr. Cruickshank said it has been "a privilege to serve with such a remarkable team of journalists and all those who support them, including Torstar's senior management and our progressive, engaged and enthusiastic board of directors. This has been the most stimulating, demanding and enjoyable period of my professional life."

About Torstar Corporation

Torstar Corporation is a broadly based media company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TS.B). Its businesses include the Star Media Group led by the Toronto Star, Canada's largest daily newspaper and Free Daily News Group Inc., which publishes the English-language Metro newspapers in several Canadian cities; Metroland Media Group, publisher of community and daily newspapers in Ontario; and also include digital properties including thestar.com, Toronto Star Touch, Workopolis, wagjag.com, toronto.com, save.ca and eyeReturn Marketing Inc. It also holds majority interest in VerticalScope, a North American vertically-focused digital media company.