Fred Drasner in 2012.
Photo by: Bryan Smith/ZumaPress.com
Fred Drasner, a powerful figure in NYC’s media world who served as co-publisher of the Daily News, died on Saturday at age 83, amNewYork has learned.
Drasner’s career was highlighted by a series of high-profile acquisitions across news publishing, tech, and sports. His most defining role began in 1993 when he led the acquisition of the Daily News, where he remained the tabloid paper’s co-owner, CEO and co-publisher until 2004.
A public obituary on Dignity Memorial indicated that he died on April 4 and had lived most recently in Wellington, FL.
Raised in Brooklyn, Drasner is perhaps familiar to New Yorkers of a certain age who remember the famous TV commercial showing him talking—emitting a classic New York accent— and walking the streets of the city, browsing fruit stands, playing stickball, all while sharply criticizing a certain “Long Island paper” for its perceived lack of knowledge about the five boroughs.
“The Daily News. It’s the most New York you can get,” Drasner says with pride at the end of the message.
At the Daily News, Drasner navigated the print publication through the infamous dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Previously, he had acquired U.S. News & World Report in 1985, staying on as CEO and co-chairman until 2004.
In 2004, upon Drasner’s departure from the Daily News to an advisory role, his longtime associate and fellow media mogul, Mort Zuckerman (who currently owns U.S. News & World Report and formerly owned the Daily News), praised his dedication and zest for publishing.
“I have met no one who can match his enthusiasm, skill and knowledge in the magazine and newspaper world,” Zuckerman said in a New York Times article. “I am grateful Fred has agreed to continue to provide his wise counsel to the company.”
Martin Dunn, former editor-in-chief at the major daily, described Drasner as a memorable person: a hard businessman with an underlying sympathetic nature.
“He was a great character,” Dunn shared. “He was a tough businessman. He loved to portray a very gruff exterior. He could be very tough, but underneath it all, he had a sympathetic character.”
It suited Drasner to be “the voice” of the iconic newspaper, Dunn said, adding that he enjoyed being part of its leadership team.
“He was one of the last executives who really understood printing, distribution, and editorial,” Dunn said. “He was a guy who loved the rough-and-tumble of keeping the printers on board. He loved doing deals. He loved doing deals with advertisers, paper manufacturers, and transportation companies. Fred was the ultimate deal maker.”
Tech and sports
In 1985, Drasner started Applied Graphics Technologies, took it public in 1996 (NASDAQ), and served as its chairman and CEO from 1985 until its sale in 2003. He was also a co-owner of the NFL’s Washington Commanders (then known as the Redskins), from 1999 to 2004.
Drasner’s career legacy is one of a talented, versatile deal-maker and venture capitalist who shaped major institutions from the pages of an iconic publication to chairing the boards of software companies.
To New Yorkers, he is perhaps best remembered for leading the paper, making sure it was stocked in newsstands and delivered on time to doorsteps, and ensuring its dedicated team of reporters continued to deliver the daily news.
“He appreciated what the Daily News meant to New York,” Dunn said.
Drasner is survived by his wife, Lora Drasner; his brother, Ken (Ann) Drasner; and his daughters, Johanna (Paul) Haban and Amanda Drasner. He is also survived by his dog, Windsor.