Jeff Sarich is the new publisher and general manager for the Medicine Hat News.--NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
The Medicine Hat News is thrilled to welcome Jeff Sarich to the team as its new publisher and general manager.
Sarich brings more than two decades of print media experience to the role, as well as a plan for the future in Medicine Hat.
“Fairness in what we’re reporting, making sure we report both sides, and most importantly the truth – and I believe we’re there now. I believe that’s what’s happening now. That’s why I’m excited to be here,” said Sarich, who held the title of advertising director at the Lethbridge Herald from 2003-05.
“To help businesses get out of COVID – we all got knocked down and now’s the time to dust off and stand back up – we’re going to do it together. To do it individually would be very challenging, but if we can get together and (ask), ‘What do we do to help each other?” Everybody is going to prosper, from the people buying the product, to the people selling the product, to the people making the product. We need to do this together.”
Sarich will also assume management of Alta Newspaper Group’s three Saskatchewan publications, with Mike Hertz retaining the role of senior consultant.
Sarich relocated from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat for the new role with his wife, Julie. He says the community reminds him of late 90s Red Deer, where he began his print career in sales at the Advocate.
“When I was driving around last night, this reminds me of a safe, secure, friendly city of 60,000,” said Sarich, adding he’s already feeling at home in the community. “We’re pretty outgoing people. We’ll say hi or nod or wave. Here, people are beating me to the punch.”
After his time in Red Deer, Sarich made the move to Lethbridge and joined the Herald before taking on a general manager position with the Black Press. Sarich oversaw four successful agricultural publications in that role, along with a printing company based in Lethbridge, up until the division was relocated to central Alberta in 2018.
Prior to entering the world of print media, Sarich ran a bingo hall for five years – during which time he did extensive fundraising with the Knights of Columbus in Saskatoon – then worked in retail for a decade, leaving him with a wealth of experience to bring to his new role.
“As newspapers are streamlining, things are starting to come together in all departments – whether it be advertising, editorial, accounting or distribution,” he said. “They’re starting to blur, it’s all becoming one department. That’s what brought me to this position here today, because I’ve got experience in doing that.”
When it comes to sports, Sarich says he quit golf, but as a ‘Saskatonian’ he’s been bleeding Rider green since the day he was born.
“It’s on your birth certificate when you’re born,” he said. “You’ve got to be a fan.”
