The chief executive of Dow Jones, Richard Zannino, plans to resign after the closing of the acquisition by News Corp., the company announced today.

Zannino is less than two years into his tenure as C.E.O., a substantial chunk of which was dominated by Rupert Murdoch's effort this year to buy the company, which publishes the Wall Street Journal and Barron's. Zannino came into disfavor among some news employees for appearing to support the bid, which many opposed because of Murdoch's reputation for getting involved in news operations.

"Under [Richard's] leadership, Dow Jones has reinforced its position as the premier provider of business news content and embarked on many new initiatives important to the company's future," Murdoch said in a statement.

Murdoch's News Corp. will take control of Dow Jones after the company's shareholders approve the $5.6 billion offer on December 13.

"I will leave Dow Jones knowing the best is yet to come for readers, customers, and employees under Rupert's leadership, given his visionary long-term perspective and willingness to commit substantial talent and resources to further develop its unmatched portfolio of brands on a global scale," Zannino said.

Dow Jones has yet to announce Zannino's successor but plans to do so shortly. Speculation is swirling that the job is likely to go to Robert Thomson, a longtime associate of Murdoch's who is set to step down from the top editorial job at the Times of London, according to reports in Britain.

In a memo to employees, Zannino said, "While this was my choice, I'm nonetheless saddened by it."

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Memo to Murdoch 

Lesson From the Times of London