Scott Flanders’ appointment as CEO of OC Register parent Freedom Communications is some vindication for Sam Wolgemuth. The gentlemanly former CEO, now affiliated with merchant banker Tri-Artisan Partners, was ousted amid Freedom’s clan warfare in 2002. But a year earlier Wolgemuth recruited Flanders, his former Simon & Schuster lieutenant and chief of DVD and CD marketer Columbia House, to Freedom’s board. Flanders impressed his fellow directors and remained above the family fray. He scored added points with Freedom investor Blackstone Group by overseeing Blackstone’s recent sale of Columbia House to Bertelsmann AG; that transaction also eliminated Flanders’ job, making him available to Freedom. Says Wolgemuth: “Freedom is very fortunate to have Scott Flanders as their new CEO. He is one of the finest business executives I know” …
The Insider hears Flanders had the support of retiring CEO Alan Bell and that the short list of candidates also included Reg Publisher Chris Anderson and community papers prez Jon Segal …
The appointment of a new OC Biz Council executive director is imminent …
The Insider thinks the Four Seasons-soon-to-be-The Island hotel in Newport Center would be an ideal condo conversion, especially after The Donald opens his nearby oceanfront resort in a couple of years. But The Irvine Company sources say the chances of that happening are slim to none: A hotel remains an essential piece of the Newport Center/Fashion Island pie, and Bren is insistent that his people do a better job than Four Seasons in encouraging its use by neighbors and community groups. The company is touting The Island’s new membership in The Leading Hotels of the World. OK, but what about a penthouse on the top floor? …
Arte Moreno may call ’em Los Angeles, but to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg the Angels are Anaheim. “That’s where they play. He recognizes the Dodgers as the one team in Los Angeles,” an aide said after Bloomberg made his playoff bet with Anaheim Mayor and fellow Republican Curt Pringle …
More Angels: The Insider thinks the many boos that greeted Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fleeting appearance on the Angel Stadium big screen during game two of the Yankees series is another bad omen for the governor’s ballot initiatives. Sure, booing politicians is a baseball tradition, but even Arnold in OC? …
Promoter Rich Goodwin thinks the West Coast needs a Times Square-style New Year’s Eve celebration. He’s lined up Sugar Ray, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, the Violent Femmes and other bands for a Dec. 31 bash at the OC Fairgrounds culminating in a midnight “orange drop.” More at www.ocnye.com …
Saturday’s 5k “Walk to Remember” at Bill Barber Park, Irvine, benefits Healing Hearts Share and SHARE, support groups for parents who have lost an infant or unborn child. Former OCBJer Kristyn von Rotz, who lost a child in pregnancy, is the event co-organizer. Call (714) 473-4739 or e-mail ocwalktoremember@earthlink.net.
