Former BJ and national circulation giant John Murray passes away

John P. Murray, a Cuyahoga Falls resident whose career in circulation included the Beacon Journal and who was inducted into the National Circulation Director Hall of Fame in 2011, passed away Sunday, Oct. 12.

John Murray

The Louisiana State University marketing and economics graduate began his newspaper career in 1979 in Columbus, Georgia.

Murray was in Knight Ridder's Circulation Management Development Program. He also was vice president of audience development for the Newspaper Association of America, focusing on marketing as newspapers struggled to remain viable in the midst of the Internet avalanche. 

Murray was the point person on Audience Metric issues coordinating NAA/ABC Liaison committees.

Murray joined the Newspaper Association from the Fort Wayne, Indiana Newspapers, where he was circulation director for seven years. Murray managed Fort Wayne’s News Sentinel, a six-day afternoon newspaper and Journal Gazette, a seven-day morning publication.

In 2011 Murray told circulation executives that it was costing newspapers $450 a year to sign a subscriber paying $400, which meant advertising revenue was crucial to survival in the digital age.

Murray warned that the newspaper’s editorial side must “produce a relevant, compelling newspaper” that the occasional reader will reach for in the coffee shop, the doctor’s waiting room or while having his oil changed.

The message: With print audiences and advertisers eroding quickly, instead of spending effort and focus on propping up the fading business, newspapers should be dropping daily printed editions and go full-throttle into digital.

John Murray’s obituary:

CUYAHOGA FALLS -- John P. Murray, 59, passed away suddenly October 12, 2014. He was born in Pennsauken, N.J. and resided in Cuyahoga Falls for the past 20 years.

He retired from Knight-Ridder News with 25 years of service, with the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Akron Beacon Journal.

John had a passion for Life, was a great drummer and enjoyed playing music with his sons. In the past few years he had developed a love for astronomy, telescopes and now he walks among the stars.

He is survived by his wife, Kim, of 30 years; children, Ian (Rebeccah), Shawn (Kerrie), Joe (Carrie) and Sara; grandchildren, Madaleine, Willow, Gavin, Ella, Kathreine, Luke, Joey and Lileine; parents, Mary and Jack; brothers, Steven (Maggie), Richard (Mary), David and James (Nancy); and many nieces and nephews; cat, Baby.

Shine on.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 17 in the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 313 N. Depeyster, Kent, OH 44240. In lieu of other remembrances, memorials may be made to Memorial Fund for John Murray, c/o Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home. To send condolences or sign the guest book visit www.cliffordshoemaker.com .