A legendary media executive who fought through decades of liberal bias in mainstream publications while building innovative sales strategies has passed away, marking the end of an era when conservative business principles still guided major newsrooms.
Media Executive Dies After Decades Fighting Industry Consolidation
Ira Ellenthal passed away peacefully at his Old Greenwich, Connecticut home on July 29, 2025, survived by his wife of 63 years, three sons, and eight grandchildren. The 88-year-old publishing veteran spent decades navigating the treacherous waters of media consolidation, where corporate giants like Rupert Murdoch’s NewsCorp systematically absorbed independent publications. His leadership at the New York Daily News positioned the tabloid against Murdoch’s New York Post during brutal circulation wars that defined New York media.
Career Built on Traditional Business Values
Ellenthal’s journey from aspiring sportswriter to media CEO exemplified the American dream before woke corporate culture infected newsrooms. He rose through the ranks at U.S. News & World Report, The Atlantic, and Fast Company by focusing on results rather than political correctness. His innovative sales approach prioritized advertiser relationships and reader value over the activist journalism that plagues today’s media landscape. During the 1990s as CEO and group publisher, Ellenthal demonstrated how traditional business principles could sustain quality journalism.
The executive’s 2001 work promoting HBO’s baseball documentary “61” at the Daily News showcased his ability to merge entertainment marketing with sports journalism. This cross-platform approach preceded today’s media convergence by decades, proving conservative business leaders often innovate ahead of their liberal counterparts. His strategies helped major publications maintain financial stability during periods of rapid technological change and increasing competition from digital platforms.
Author’s Sales Wisdom Transcends Industry Politics
Ellenthal’s 2020 book “The Last Book About Selling That You’ll Ever Need” distilled decades of practical experience into actionable strategies for sales professionals. Industry leaders including Priceline founder Jay Walker praised the work’s storytelling approach and practical wisdom. Writer Penelope Karageorge highlighted the book’s value for both novice and experienced professionals, emphasizing its real-world applications over theoretical frameworks that dominate business schools today.
The publication represented Ellenthal’s commitment to mentoring future generations through proven methods rather than trendy management fads. His emphasis on relationship-building and authentic communication contrasted sharply with today’s algorithm-driven digital marketing approaches. The book’s success demonstrated enduring demand for traditional sales principles based on personal integrity and customer service excellence.
Legacy Reflects Era of Independent Media Leadership
Ellenthal’s career spanned an era when media executives prioritized editorial independence and financial sustainability over political activism. His leadership during the tabloid wars between the Daily News and New York Post illustrated how competition strengthened journalism rather than weakening it. Unlike today’s media landscape dominated by corporate consolidation and ideological conformity, Ellenthal’s generation fought to maintain diverse viewpoints and competitive markets that served readers better.
His adaptability through industry disruption offers lessons for conservatives fighting Big Tech censorship and media bias today. Ellenthal understood that sustainable journalism requires strong business fundamentals, advertiser trust, and reader loyalty built through quality content rather than partisan messaging. His death marks the passing of a generation that understood media as both public service and profitable enterprise, values increasingly abandoned by today’s activist journalists and corporate media overlords.
Sources:
Ira Ellenthal: Publishing, New York Daily News, Selling Advertising
Publishing: Ira Ellenthal, New York Daily News, Sports, The Last Book About Selling
Former New York Sales Pro Pens New Storybook That’s All About Selling
Ira Ellenthal Obituary – Greenwich, CT