ORLANDO – Following eight months as general manager of Orlando Weekly – and eight successful years before that as the paper’s advertising director – Graham Jarrett was officially named publisher of the alternative weekly, effective Sept. 1. The move comes at a time when the paper has seen monumental fiscal growth despite market trends, Jarrett says. Though some of that relates to an improving economy, much of it is the result of an improved product.

“I’m excited about it because we have a lot of new people on board, and we are concentrating resources in areas we haven’t in the past: marketing, design, the paper’s new physical format, our digital presence,” he says. “It’s resulting in noticeable growth in both revenue and audience, as well as in the community’s response to us. Today people are really into what we are doing, and they are letting us know.”

Last month, Orlando Weekly’s parent company, Times-Shamrock Communications, announced that it was selling off its alternative properties, including Orlando Weekly, Cleveland Scene, Detroit Metro Times, Baltimore City Paper and San Antonio Current, in order to better focus its media portfolio. In light of its present surge in both sales and content, Jarrett is very optimistic about Orlando Weekly’s future and the energy and resources that new ownership can bring.

“We are evolving and attracting new people. We will continue at the level we are currently operating,” Jarrett says. “In fact, I see a lot of growth potential.”

Regional publisher for the Baltimore City Paper, Orlando Weekly and San Antonio Current Michael Wagner is confident that Jarrett will advance the Orlando paper’s award-winning legacy as it moves forward.

“Graham is going to be a great publisher for Orlando Weekly,” Wagner says. “He’s very passionate about Orlando and about what we do and has great vision as to where we’re going.”