Pink Triangle Press names David Walberg executive director
TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Pink Triangle Press, Canada's leading LGBT media group, announced today the appointment of David Walberg as its executive director, effective April 3, 2017. Walberg will lead a team of 55 staff in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver, as announced today by board members Negar Farjadnia and Jim Bartley.
After a rigorous search, the board of directors for Pink Triangle Press (PTP) concluded that Walberg's excellent leadership experience, along with his strong track record of success in the various positions he has held within the organization, made him an outstanding candidate for the role.
"David Walberg will lead Pink Triangle Press with tremendous energy and skill," says Gillian Rodgerson, a member of the board of directors at PTP. "His accomplishments as an activist and as a publisher, and his imaginative approach to our work, made him the right choice."
Walberg has worked at PTP for more than 25 years, and is currently its digital chief executive. He has spearheaded major strategy and technology changes across the company, helping PTP grow as a leader in championing for LGBT rights and ensuring that the organization would be financially independent to promote sexual freedom and equality, and is continuing to enjoy growth in its audience and engagement.
"I'm honoured by the opportunity to lead one of the world's great LGBT media enterprises," says Walberg of his appointment. "I look forward to working with our incredibly talented staff, board, contributors and partners to help keep our communities vital and strong."
As publisher and editor-in-chief, Walberg led the flagship paper Xtra through a successful era of growth in influence, reach and revenue. He was the co-creator of PTP's adult online dating website Squirt.org, leading the project from inception into a worldwide paid network. Walberg also led the expansion of PTP journalism from its print origins into new media, reaching new communities and audiences worldwide.
Walberg initiated the latest round of strategic planning at PTP and oversees the execution of its current plan which has brought financial stability to the organization. As a result of this strategy, the Press has become one of the rare media enterprises to develop a sustainable digital business model.
Walberg succeeds Ken Popert, who has led PTP since 1986. Popert preserved the organization when The Body Politic, its key title at the time, ceased publication. He recreated the Press as an influential and financially viable enterprise and retires after overseeing an era of tremendous growth and change.
About Pink Triangle Press (http://www.pinktrianglepress.com)
Pink Triangle Press (PTP) is Canada's leading LGBT media organization. Founded in 1971, Pink Triangle Press produces LGBT journalism at DailyXtra.com and through a variety of content distribution relationships in Canada and abroad. The Press operates the gay adult dating website Squirt.org and has produced a number of television projects, including the travel show Bump! and The Gayest Show Ever.
PTP's defining activity is LGBT journalism. Frustrated that there wasn't a voice representing the political and social concerns of gay men and lesbians, a group of Toronto activists launched the gay liberation newspaper, The Body Politic, in 1971. In 2008, The Body Politic was named by Masthead magazine as one of "Canada's 20 most influential magazines of all time."
Over four decades, PTP grew from a small grassroots operation to one of the most diversified LGBT multimedia enterprises in the world, with a roster of brands ranging from the Xtra publications in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver, to online publishing and television production.
PTP is a mission-guided community organization without shareholders, governed by a board of directors. The board entrusts the achievement of our mission to the executive director, who heads a workforce located in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal.
The chronology of Pink Triangle Press from 1971 to 2014 is available here.
About David Walberg
David Walberg has held many positions at PTP over more than 25 years. As publisher and editor-in-chief, Walberg led the flagship paper Xtra through a successful era of growth in influence, reach and revenue.
Walberg was the co-creator of PTP's adult online dating website Squirt.org, leading the project from inception to profitability. More recently, he returned to that project to create the conditions for its current phase of growth and expansion.
Walberg led the evolution of PTP's journalism from its print origins into new media and new communities. He brought Xtra online and created in-house video production at the Press. He and his team oversaw delivery of PTP journalism to new audiences through new partners including YouTube, and television networks and film festivals around the world.
Walberg initiated the latest round of strategic planning at the Press and oversees the execution of the current plan which has brought financial stability to the organization. As a result of this strategy, the Press has become one of the rare media enterprises to develop a sustainable digital business model.
Keywords
David Walberg, Ken Popert, Pink Triangle Press, Executive Director, Xtra, DailyXtra.com, Squirt.org, Gay, Lesbian, Activism, LGBT, LGBT+
SOURCE Pink Triangle Press
or to set up an interview with David Walberg, or Pink Triangle Press Board Members Gillian Rodgerson and Didier Pomerleau, please contact: Andrew Nolan, [email protected], Ph: +1 (416) 569-5018
Share this article