FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2008

CONTACT:
Nadiene Raia
Creative Loafing Media
941.365.6776
nadiene (at) creativeloafing.com

Creative Loafing Media, an alternative weekly based in Tampa, Florida, has named Jonathan Maziarz as editor of the Sarasota edition. He will succeed Max Linsky, who is now the manager and online editor for Creative Loafing’s corporate office. With nearly 500 columns under his belt, Maziarz has edited newspapers in the mountains of Colorado, the shores of Lake Tahoe and, most recently, on the coast of Georgia. As editor, Maziarz is responsible for the content and quality of the weekly publication as well as the online edition (www.sarasota.creativeloafing.com).

“The decision was a difficult one given the strength of the candidates, although ultimately a clear one. Maziarz has the qualities and experience Creative Loafing requires of its editorial staff and we welcome him to the CL family,” states Nadiene Raia, publisher for Creative Loafing (Sarasota).

Maziarz grew up in Pennsylvania, earned a degree in biology from Middlebury College in Vermont, and prior to working as a journalist, studied sea turtles in Costa Rica. He relocated for the position to Sarasota from Georgia with his wife, Paula, their four-year-old son Marco and two dachshunds, Dex and Red.

“I admire the Creative Loafing philosophy of providing a serious alternative to the mainstream media, mixing a strong sense of community with an independent spirit and a sense of humor. I am ready to bring my experience, leadership and enthusiasm to the CL team,” says Maziarz.

Maziarz has a B.A. from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont. Before joining Creative Loafing, he was editor of the Tribune & Georgian, St. Marys, Georgia; managing editor for the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza, Incline Village, Nevada and editor of the Grand County Sunday Daily Tribune, Granby, Colorado. He was also a columnist for the Winter Park (Colorado) Manifest and a reporter for the Sky-Hi News (Colorado).

Among his many accomplishments Maziarz has been the recipient of several awards including the 2007 Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Contest Award for General Excellence, 2006 Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Contest Award for Lifestyle coverage, Community service, and Editorial writing, 2003 Colorado Press Association Award for Best Humorous Column — Winter Park Manifest, 2002 Colorado Press Association Award for Best Serious Column — Winter Park Manifest, 2000 Colorado Press Association Award for Best Humorous Column — Winter Park Manifest.

###

ABOUT Creative Loafing, Inc.
Creative Loafing, founded in Atlanta in 1972, offers readers a valuable alternative to the mainstream daily publications. Our award-winning news stories are rooted in a commitment to the community and an independent perspective that puts the greater interests of that community first. In addition to a comprehensive listing of local happenings covering everything from gallery openings to sporting events, Creative Loafing offers the most respected and authoritative critics on the subjects of food, film, theater and music. Plus, we’re funny. A tradition of spirited and thoughtful journalism and indispensable entertainment information has made Creative Loafing (formerly the Weekly Planet) a vital voice to readers in Sarasota. Other properties include: Creative Loafing (Tampa), Creative Loafing (Atlanta), Creative Loafing (Charlotte), Chicago Reader, Washington City Paper, “Straight Dope” syndicated column and www.StraightDope.com.