Charles Apple leaving Virginian-Pilot for Sporting News e-paper
It’s official. I’m leaving The Virginian-Pilot. I’m the new art director for Sporting News Today, a daily newspaper that will launch July 23.
 
Blogging in Manila, March 2007.
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The unusual thing about this new paper: It’s not a “paper” at all — it’s totally electronic. A PDF file, in fact. With no printing presses, west-coast scores won’t be a problem at all.
What’s even more unusual about it: It’s free.
Sign up here. Every morning, you’ll receive a link in your e-mail. Click on the link and the PDF will open in your browser. When I saw what these guys were working on, the big question I had was: Why aren’t all newspapers delivered this way?
And the prototype pages are gorgeous. Very clean. Sporting News creative director Keith Wood has done a fabulous job setting up the format. It’ll be my task — and the task for my team — to make it all work.
I’ll supervise about six designers and production folks. But first, we’ll have to hire them. And fast. Like I said, we go live July 23.
My last day at work at the Pilot will be Friday, July 11. I’ll begin work in Charlotte on July 15. Sharon will pack up the cats, the dog, the guinea pigs, the turtles and other household vermin and follow as soon as she sells our condo in Virginia Beach.
On a related issue: Anyone want a nice condo in Virginia Beach? ÂÂ
Sporting News Today an exciting new idea and I’m just tickled to be a part of it. And honored. I’ve been a fan of The Sporting News ever since I was introduced to it by my best pal in high school, Bailey Harris. Bailey’s now a big-time high school basketball coach in Lexington, S.C. I can’t wait to tell him I’m working for TSN. He’ll freak.
The New York Times did a big piece on the renaissance at The Sporting News a couple of weeks ago, focusing on this new venture. Perhaps you saw it.
The Sporting News is in the process of moving its entire operation to Charlotte, N.C., which is much closer to home for me. In fact, I graduated from Winthrop College in nearby Rock Hill, S.C., in 1984 and worked for a while as a sports stringer for The Charlotte Observer.
We moved back to Rock Hill in 1988 and lived there four-and-a-half years while I worked at — and redesigned — The Herald. We moved away right after our daughter was born in 1993.
The obligatory bio material: Before coming to the Pilot in 2003, I was graphics editor of The Des Moines Register for about four-and-a-half years. (Anyone detecting a pattern? It’s not intentional. My wife is quite frustrated by the fact that I’ve never quite become vested in a 401K plan.)
Before that, I worked as an artist at the Chicago Tribune, The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C., The Herald and The Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald.
I graduated from Winthrop College in 1984 with a degree in communications and a minor in political science. Find my portfolio here.
Ironically, I recently set a record at The Virginian-Pilot for the longest I’ve ever stayed at one paper. My previous record was the aforementioned four-and-a-half years in Rock Hill from 1988 to 1993. I passed that mark here in April.
I came here as graphics director in October 2003, quite open about my intent to only remain here two years. We did a lot of fabulous work in the meantime, though. That’s a credit to my fabulous staffers: Bob Voros. John Earle. Ken Wright. Miranda Mulligan. Xinning Huang. And to the incredibly talented interns who called the Pilot graphics department home: Rachel Matthews. Xinning, again. Lindi Daywalt-Feazel. Ji Qi. Allisence Chang.
My managerial position was eliminated on Jan. 2. My bosses were most gracious and generous about what essentially became a demotion for me. And my longtime colleague — Pilot presentation team leader Paul Nelson — suddenly became my supervisor. And man, has he been a patient guy.
I’m 46 years old. I teach a lot of classes on news design and graphics. I blog a bit. But you know that. For a larger view of the Sporting News Today, tickle the thumbnail:
 
Again, read more about Sporting News Today here.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Congratulations!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Congrats and good luck, Chuck.
Good for you!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Ditto! I sent you a more private congrats as a reply to your announcement email. I love how you always land on your feet, no matter what.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Simply bittersweet.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Great News!
I’m so happy for you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Happy Birthday, Charles.
Oh. And also, congrats on the leap. That’ll be fun to follow.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Congrats Charles. Good luck in Charlotte. I wish you the best.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
That’s great news Charles. Congrats.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Charles,
Congrats. You will enjoy working w/ Paul K. and Jeff D. They’re great, very enthusiastic and love what they do. You will fit in perfectly.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Congrats Charles! You forgot that by moving to Charlotte, you can also go to more Clemson football games.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Awesome news Charles! I wish you all the best at SNT. I will definitely subscribe now you’re there. And Charlotte is only a hop, skip and a jump from Columbia, we could actually visit/meet each other. You’d be more than welcome to come down to The State any time. Just give me a holler. Congratulations!!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Congratulations! *BIG HUGS* You deserve a move like this, and you are going to make one fantastic design manager. I’m looking forward to seeing how you and your team will push the envelope with this.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I splendid turn of events, well done sir. I wish you all the best and I know you will exceed all expectations, Bravo!!
-dabrowa :-)
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Wow, Charles, congrats! Count me in as a subscriber.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Yay! So exciting!
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Kudos on the exciting new adventure!
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Woah, Not so fast, man. What about all those surfing lessons we have yet to embark on? What is it, dude? Why are you leaving the surfing capital of Virginia? No matter, dude. We’ll see about some freeboarding lessons instead.
Congrats, Chuck. The World Wide Web will now see better days, more exciting online sports graphics, and killer design. You never cease to amaze. I would wish you the best, but since you seem to have all that, I wish I were you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
All good things… Going to miss you boss.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Congrats Charles, sounds like a great job. All the best mate.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
That’s great news, Charles! Congratulations! Can’t wait to see what you bring to TSN.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Sounds like a perfect match. Congratulations, Charles! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Congratulations, Charles! This is great!
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Dude, congrats! It’s not going to be the same here without you around. But it’s a great opportunity for you and I really look forward to seeing what you do next.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Charles, it sounds like a homecoming of sorts. You CAN go home again, or at least you can be within a few miles of there.
Congratulations. Looking forward to the new SNT.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
That’s really exciting! I’m happy for you Charles! I will definitely be interested in seeing how your adventure develops. :)
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Congrats Charles, and welcome back to N.C. Sounds like it’ll be an interesting gig in Charlotte. Can’t wait to see what you guys turn out.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
WOW! Congrats, Mr. Apple, and best of luck to you. Should be fun.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I’m thrilled to read this! I was out of town the last couple nights; it’s great to come home to terrific news.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Great news Charles, sounds like a Trifecta for you, Sports, Graphics and the Internet!
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
So, does this mean you’re not coming to Egypt this year to teach information graphics?
This is great news and I would have replied here sooner but I had to stop first and sign up for my daily Sporting News Today e-mail service.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I don’t know, The Sporting News sounds like it is going to the MinnPost model. Are you sure you want to go there because, word on the street is…THEY’RE DOING GREAT!
Seriously, congratulations and smart move. And smart move by The Sporting News. What’s the largest overhead cost we have? Production and delivery, let’s cut that and keep the writers. Brilliant! $$$$$
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Woohoo-good job man!
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Congratulations, Charles!!! That’s awesome!
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Internet, the final frontier…Good Luck Charles!
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Way to go Charles. You’ll knock a homer there as well!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Congratulations and best of luck, Charles!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Chuck, that is such great news! I know your colleagues will miss you, but what a great opportunity for you. I envy you, returning to N.C. Break a leg!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Awesome, man, just awesome. Congrats.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
*chants* charles! charles! charles! wow. congrats, sir. and you’re hiring huh? ;)
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Congratulations, Charles! Best of luck!
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Awesome gig. Congrats to you, Charles.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Welcome to the Queen City! We’ll grab a cold one to toast your new gig sometime!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Congrats, Charles! Glad to hear good news amongst all the grimness and gloom.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:12 am
Congratulations Charles.
After several years of matching good people with good jobs on Visual Editors, I am glad you found one for yourself!
Go forth and make us proud.
clif
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:40 am
CONGRATS Charles! Glad to hear that you found a job in which you seemed so excited about. I will definitely be subscribing. Not to mention I think this could be a great topic to talk about at the student session at SND Vegas. Can;t wait to see the product!!!
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:41 am
Yay for you, Charles!
Hire Martin!
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 am
Whoa, totally cool. Thrilled for you. Now… what is this “e-mail” you are talking about. Sounds like you’re at a place that is trying smart ideas. Keep us updated ;)
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:22 am
Hey, Charles, congratulations! That sounds like and exciting project, and I look forward to seeing it daily. Come down to Spartanburg and see us sometime.
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Great news and well deserved!
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:34 am
Great news Charles. Sounds like an awesome job for you and how exciting to be able to be part of this new venue of newspapering. I will have to sign up to see what you creative types present to us. Once again good luck.
Best wishes, Elizabeth
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:01 am
Congratulations! Welcome back to the Charlotte-area. I never realized you were orginally from Rock Hill. I grew up in Lake Wylie, SC, so we were practically neighbors!
Best of luck to you.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:18 am
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Charles I’m so excited for you!!!
I love the concept of the Sporting News PDF! You’ll never have smudges again!! You are amazing! :D
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:42 am
Congrats! I knew it was only a matter of time before you headed into exciting territory again.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Show us how its done, Charles!!! It’s just awesome that you are taking a great next step. Good luck!!!!!
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
sounds like a great opportunity… give’em hell, apple…
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Congrats and good luck!
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Honestly, I’m a bit scared for you. See my Facebook post for the congratulations. ;)
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Congratulations Charles.
I know how much you like challenges and this is right up your alley. Good luck in selling your condo.
With so many impending layoffs/buyouts, maybe you can help out some out-of-work journalists.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Congrats and all the best.
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I am SO happy for you!
I’m not a sports fan, but I’m an Apple fan, so it looks like I’ll be subscribing to The Sporting News!
July 4th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Anytime you can get an innovative job in a place that ends in “Carolina,” that’s a great move! Congrats. :)
July 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Prayers come true! We’re so glad this came through for you, Charles.
Can’t wait to see your work - exciting times.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Wow, just saw this. What a great opportunity. Congrats, good luck and keep us all posted.
July 4th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
My congrats to you, Charles. I think it is a noteworthy moment when a graphic artist powerhouse like you moves from print to online. We will all be watching, and wishing you the best.
July 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Welcome back to the Carolinas, Charles! Hope we’ll be seeing you in Rock Hill.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Congrats Charles! It took you long enough to leave the rags ;)
It will be great that we are in the same city again. let’s hook up once you’ve settled in.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Wow! Congratulations! Well deserved.
July 6th, 2008 at 9:14 am
last word, “You have not Banderass before.” So boldly go.
July 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Welcome back to North Carolina, Charles!
July 6th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Congratulations, Charles, I really, really happy for you.
I grew up in Charlotte, and sometimes really miss the place, as well as some of the great folks at the Herald (Hi, Deb!).
Keep us up to date on your adventures down there.
July 6th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
This sounds cool. Congrats and good luck, Charles!
July 7th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Well, I’m very late to the bandwagon, but just wanted to publicly say congrats to Charles on the new gig. I trust this won’t interfere with your real job of blogging, though? :)
Will we still see you in Vegas?
July 7th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Wow, congratulations Charles!
July 7th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
congrats!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Congrats Charles.
July 15th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Take care, Charles. Enjoyed working with you at the VP.