Tierney to be adviser for Inquirer's company

Brian Tierney, former part-owner and publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and Philly.com, has agreed to help advise the company's interim publisher, H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest, on advertising strategy, Lenfest said Monday.

Tierney led the company, then known as Philadelphia Media Holdings L.L.C., from 2006 to 2010.

He currently is chief executive officer of Brian Communications, a public relations and advertising agency with offices in Conshohocken.

Lenfest said Tierney was not leaving his firm, but would devote time as a consultant to The Inquirer's company, now named Interstate General Media.

"The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and Philly.com play a fundamental role in our civic life," Tierney said in a statement. "If, during this transition period, my expertise and qualifications can help the organization, I want to do so."

Lenfest was named interim publisher last week after he and Lewis Katz won the media company at auction from a rival group of co-owners led by George E. Norcross III. Katz died Saturday in a plane crash in Massachusetts. His son, Drew Katz, will fill his position on the company's board.

Lenfest said last week that the company was seeking a publisher to replace Robert Hall, who stepped down after the auction Tuesday. Lexie Norcross, 26, daughter of George Norcross, will leave her position as vice president of digital operations when the sale is completed, said Mark Block, a company spokesman.

In announcing that Tierney would serve as a consultant, Lenfest also said that Mark Frisby would become associate publisher for operations. Frisby, who has been on leave, previously was the company's senior vice president.