Lee Abrams Resigns From Tribune Company

Lee Abrams

Days after sending out an inappropriate e-mail to colleagues, TRIBUNE CO. Chief Innovation Officer LEE ABRAMS has tendered his resignation. Just two days ago, he was suspended indefinitely by CEO RANDY MCIAHELS for sending the e-mail (NET NEWS, 10/13).

According to CHICAGOBREAKINGBUSINESS.COM, the offending e-mail -- which included links to satirical video parodies of newscasts that included profanity, nudity and was labeled "Sluts" -- was the latest in a weekly series of free-form inter-office memos that Abrams sent to encourage company employees to think out-of-the-box when it comes to print and broadcast conventions.

The missive came at a particularly troubling time. The TRIBUNE, under MICHAELS' leadership, was the focus of an unflattering profile in the NEW YORK TIMES published just a week ago. Sources told the website that the e-mail incident and the bad press could be raised during the ongoing the bankruptcy proceedings.

Abrams did issue an apology "to everyone who was offended" after several TRIBUNE CO. employees, including CHICAGO TRIBUNE Editor GEROULD KERN, complained to the company’s Human Resources department (NET NEWS, 10/12). That eventually led to falling of dominoes -- MICHAELS placing ABRAMS on "indefinite suspension" and now, ABRAMS' resignation.

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