Washington Post director discusses newspapers

5/27/07 - The former president of The Washington Post Co. and the International Herald Tribune delivered a lecture on the state of the news industry to an audience at Washington and Lee May 22nd.

Richard D. Simmons, who headed the company from 1981 until 1991 and remains on The Post Co.'s board, talked about economic and other challenges facing daily newspapers. The address was entitled "Will Newspapers Continue to Exist, and Does It Really Matter?"

Simmons is Donald W. Reynolds Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications during the Spring Term. He is teaching a course in media management.

The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.

In addition to his leadership of The Washington Post Co., Simmons was president of the International Herald Tribune from 1989 until 1996.

Born in Cambridge, Mass., Simmons is a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia University School of Law. Prior to joining The Washington Post Co. he was associated with The Dun & Bradstreet Corp. in various capacities, including as president of Moody’s Investors Service, president of Dun & Bradstreet Inc. and as vice chairman and a director.