Another shakeup at Chicago magazine: Amy Carr steps down, Terry Noland returns

Amy Carr

For the second time in six months there’s been a change at the top of Chicago magazine.

Amy Carr, the former top features editor at the Chicago Tribune who succeeded Susanna Homan in June as editor-in-chief of the monthly magazine, is stepping down to join Time Zone One, a global creative communications agency.

On Tuesday Chicago Tribune Media Group named Terry Noland editor-in-chief of Chicago, starting in January. It’s a return to the magazine for Noland, who previously served seven years as executive editor.

Terry Noland

"I am excited to be working with Terry again as I am confident he will step into the role without missing a beat," Par Ridder, general manager of Chicago Tribune Media Group, wrote in an email to staffers.

Alden Global Capital, the New York-based hedge fund, acquired Chicago magazine as part of its $633 million purchase of Tribune Publishing in May.

In her new role as senior vice president of content and storytelling at Time Zone One, Carr will lead content, video and creative teams for the agency, whose clients include tourism, hospitality, culture, public health and other sectors. "I'm excited to help grow the business and find new ways to tell stories in this next chapter," she told me.

"I came to Chicago magazine during a pivotal time of staff transition, and am so proud of the work we've been able to do there," she said. "We've built out a new team, developed a sustainable new business model for the future, and delivered on our commitment to cover all of Chicago.

"Knowing that the magazine will be in Terry's talented and capable hands gives me great confidence that good things are ahead for Chicago."

Carr joined the Tribune in 2013 as development editor and was promoted to director of content, life and culture in 2015. She previously worked for TimeOut Chicago, where she signed on as managing editor at its inception in 2004 and was promoted to executive editor in 2009.

Earlier the Eastern Illinois University graduate spent 15 years at the Daily Herald, where she rose from reporter to assistant features editor.

Noland, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, most recently has been an adjunct lecturer there. Before joining Chicago magazine in 2014, he held senior-level editor roles at Esquire, Men's Journal and SmartMoney.

Here is the text of Ridder’s email to staff:

All,

After stepping into a part-time role this summer, Terry Noland will be coming back full-time next year to be Chicago magazine’s Editor-in-Chief. Terry will replace Amy Carr, who is leaving at the end of the year for a role outside of journalism.

Terry was Chicago magazine’s Executive Editor from 2014-2021 and before that worked for Men’s Journal and Esquire. I am excited to be working with Terry again as I am confident he will step into the role without missing a beat.

Amy Carr has done some heavy lifting these last few months getting Chicago magazine set up for success and I am grateful for her partnership and hard work. She is a joy to work with and I will miss her, but I am excited for her as she embarks on a new journey. (I’ll leave it up to her to let you know what she's doing next.)

Amy will be with us through the end of the year and Terry starts in his new role January 1st. Congratulations to both.

Par

Tuesday’s comment of the day: Dennis Fisher: Neil Steinberg is perhaps the best columnist in America. He simply states truths about the world around us that escape you. "The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence." - Bukowski