Chris Cobler

Current

• Editor at Victoria Advocate

Past

• Interactive Division Publisher at Swift Communications/Greeley Tribune
• Nieman Fellow at Harvard University
• Editor at Greeley Tribune

5 more...

Education

• Harvard University
• University of Kansas
• Washburn University

Recommended

22 people have recommended Chris

Connections

201 connections

Industry

Newspapers

Websites

• My Company
• My Blog
• My Portfolio

Chris Cobler’s Summary

In the middle of perhaps the most challenging time in the history of the newspaper industry. I remind myself I'm living a dream. I try to treat each day as editor of the Victoria (Texas) Advocate as a gift. I thank the newspaper’s owners, my co-workers and my community for their faith in me to do a job I still consider central to society.

I embrace the exciting opportunities presented by new media, but I believe newspapers’ future, whether in print or online, rests with the old-fashioned values of serving your community, creating meaningful connections, and trying to make a difference in your readers’ lives.

We're all family, after all. A newspaper should be that close friend who cheers your successes, cries over your losses, and prods you to be better than you ever thought possible.

When I reflect upon the challenges each day presents, I look above my desk at the framed picture my daughter made for her kindergarten graduation. She drew herself holding hands with her father; underneath, she wrote, as carefully as any 6-year-old could, this headline: “My dream is to be an editor.”

Chris Cobler’s Specialties:

Diversity, online media, blogging, community newspapers, coaching and editing, narrative journalism, editorial writing

Chris Cobler’s Experience

• Editor

  Victoria Advocate

  (Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Newspapers industry)

  April 2007 — Present (2 years 4 months)

Additional Information

Chris Cobler’s Websites:

• My Company
• My Blog
• My Portfolio

Chris Cobler’s Interests:

Family, new technology, management training, tennis, popular music, reading, Jayhawk basketball

Chris Cobler’s Honors:

- Editorial Achievement Award, 2009, Texas Daily Newspaper Association
- Robert McGruder Award for Diversity Leadership, 2003, APME-ASNE and Freedom Forum
- International Perspective Award, 2002 and 2006, APME
- Diversity Pacesetter award, 2009, American Society of News Editors
- Carmage Walls Commentary Award, second place, 2008
- Community leadership, first place, Inland Press
- Best front page, 2008, Inland Press and SNPA
- Best use of multimedia, 2008, SNPA
- Best Community Newspaper, 1999, 2003 and 2005, NNA
- Best Online Newspaper, 2008, Texas APME
- Best Public Service, 2008, Texas APME and Texas Press Association
- Digital Edge Award finalist, 2007, NAA
- Editorial writing, first place, 2001 and 2005, NNA
- Public Service Reporting Award, 2003, NAHJ
- Community Leadership Award, 2002-2004, Inland Press
- Lifestyle Journalism Excellence Award, 2003 and 2005, University of Missouri