Boston Globe CEO DOUG FRANKLIN yesterday stepped down "less than seven months into the job, citing strategic differences" with publisher JOHN HENRY, according to Mark Arsenault of the BOSTON GLOBE. Henry, also the Red Sox Owner, in a note to staff said that he "intends to become 'a more active publisher,'" and announced that former Politico CFO VINAY MEHRA "will become" President & CFO of the Globe. Henry said that his wife, Globe Managing Dir LINDA HENRY, "will take on more responsibility." Arsenault notes with Franklin's departure, the Globe has "had three top executives in just over 3 1/2/ years" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/19). In Boston, Jack Encarnacao notes Franklin's departure "underscores the financial pressures" Henry is "under as he looks to rein in costs after the paper’s move from Dorchester to downtown." Henry appears "geared toward slashing costs, dropping special sections and pushing buyouts, which he has done each of the past three years" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/19). WEEI.com's Alex Reimer wrote though Linda Henry has "taken on an enhanced role at the Boston Globe -- she was the driving force behind the company’s decision last year to lay off nearly all of Boston.com’s editorial staff" -- John Henry himself has "largely stayed away from the newsroom since purchasing the paper" for $70M in '13. But Henry's management style "could be changing" (WEEI.com, 7/18).
