Editor’s note: A new direction for Atlanta Loop
Dear Atlanta Loop readers,
Nearly a year ago, we welcomed Derek Prall as the new editor and publisher of Atlanta Loop. Hyperlocal publishing is a thankless job, but Derek dedicated himself to the work and kept Loop running these past 10 months. Like many of us, Derek has other professional obligations and over the last few weeks it’s become clear that those other obligations need to take priority in his life.
Derek will be leaving Loop as of July 1. That’s not a reflection on him or his work. We mutually agreed that it was the right decision for all of us. We thank him for the job he did and hope he will contribute articles to Loop in the future. He’s a talented journalist. We would love to work with him again.
Loop isn’t going away, though. On July 8, Jeff Cochran will take over as publisher.
Jeff is the current ad sales director for Decaturish who has a lengthy publishing resume.
In the ’70s he wrote for The Great Speckled Bird, Creative Loafing and The Atlanta Gazette. From the mid ’70s until the early ’80s, he was the Regional Advertising Director for Peaches Records and Tapes. In 1981 he began a 27-year career in advertising at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since then he has served as the Advertising Director at Arts Atl and Decaturish. He is also a contributing editor to Like the Dew and Beatlefan magazine.
In the five years we’ve worked together, Jeff has become a trusted partner and friend. He has business savvy and integrity. He is passionate about the future of journalism and he has big plans for Atlanta Loop.
Under his leadership, Loop will become more thoughtful and introspective. The breaking news beat in Atlanta isn’t covered like it used to be, but it’s still covered well. We think there’s more room in Atlanta for deep analysis of the issues affecting the city and its residents, as well as stories that take an inventory of the city’s past with an eye toward its future.
Jeff has passion and if you love what you do, it shows. I’m confident he can take Loop to the next level.
Please join me and welcoming him to Loop and thanking Derek for his months being a good steward of this publication.
The journalism world needs more people like Jeff Cochran and Derek Prall.
– Dan Whisenhunt, owner of Decaturish.com and Atlantaloop.com.
