Marty Claus (Inducted 1997)

Claus, Vice-President/News for Knight-Ridder, has had an enormous influence in the world of features journalism. She was instrumental in getting syndicates to include minority characters in comic strips. That and her creation of lifestyle pages as we know them today are two large contributions she has made.

Bob McGruder, Executive Editor of the Free Press, says: "Marty is relentless in the belief 'Know Thy Audience.' She's always in touch, always in sync with the audience she is trying to serve. And, she's a great selector of talent and always gathered around her good writers and editors. She drives people to push for excellence and good performance."

Claus has been with Knight-Ridder since she joined the Detroit Free Press in 1977. She held a variety of editing positions there until 1987 when she was appointed Managing Editor/Business & Features. She held that job for five years until she moved into her current position. While at the Free Press, she worked with Knight-Ridder Talent Bank, teaching at papers throughout the chain. The subjects: creative brainstorming, features content and reader- relevant coverage. She served on Knight-Ridder's Women Readers Task Force in 1991.

From 1970 to 1977, she held various writing and editing jobs at the San Bernardino (Ca.) Sun-Telegram, a Gannett Newspaper.