Sam Zell Hires, Demeans Female Exec

So Sam Zell is on a push to squeeze maximum productivity out of Tribune Co.'s newspapers. And how, exactly, does Zell define productivity? Apparently involves spending one's afternoons as the chairman of an $8 billion conglomerate penning "hilarious" -- and borderline sexist -- press releases.

Yesterday, Tribune announced the appointment of Kim Johnson as senior vice president of local sales. The release marking the appointment claimed, jokingly, that Johnson was "a former waitress at 'Knockers, the Place for Hot Racks and Cold Brews.'"

Of course, Zell's penchant for spicing up boring press releases with his brand of uniquely unfunny frat house humor is nothing new. But consider: Johnson is only one of two female executives Tribune has hired since Zell took over in December, against seven men. (Of total appointments, including promotions, the number is three out of 17.)

We all know that Zell has an exceptionally narrow definition of what constitutes harassment. But maybe he should bring a few more women into the circle before he starts comment on their "racks"? Just a thought.