The Resume

(March 22, 1924-April 19, 2013)
Born in Eureka, South Dakota
Chair of the Gannett newspaper chain (1973-89)
Founded 'USA Today' (1982)
Died of complications from a fall in his home

Why he might be annoying:

'USA Today' was accused of dumbing down news coverage and nicknamed 'McPaper.'
An employee described him as 'a loner who will run over anybody or anything in search of profit for his company and glory to himself.'
At a meeting to push newspaper executives to cut costs, he donned a crown of thorns and struck a crucifixion pose.
He had a bronze bust of himself installed at 'USA Today' headquarters.
He insisted on being driven in a limo even for trips of a few blocks.
After his high-handed demands scuttled a proposed merger between Gannett and CBS, he admitted 'My ego outran my brain.'
He was married three times and divorced twice.
He fathered a daughter out of wedlock who he refused to acknowledge.

Why he might not be annoying:

When he was two, his father died in an accident on the family farm.
He served in the infantry in World War II, earning a Bronze Star for valor.
He and his third wife adopted six children.
He grew Gannett from a minor chain of local papers into the largest newspaper company in the US.
He hired and promoted more women and minorities than other publishers.
The bright colors and eye-catching graphics of 'USA Today' were widely imitated by other papers.
He said, 'The elites who called us McPaper stole our McNuggets.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 47]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [March] (Ranked: 3221924)
• Horatio Alger Association Members
• I Adopted a Child
• I Attended University of South Dakota
• I Died in 2013 (Ranked: 89)
• I Fathered Children Out of Wedlock
• I Have Adopted and Biological Children
• I Married in 1973
• I Married in 1993
• Look at Me, I Read the News Today
• My Spouse is at Least Ten Years Younger than Me
• Newspaper Delivery Boys
• Newspaper Journalists/Editors/Publishers
• Parents of Twins
• Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity
• Profiles 34251-34500 (Ranked: 34410)
• Served in World War II
• Supersized Egos

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 122 Votes: 62.30% Annoying