83 Degrees announces changing of the guard

For the first time in 17 years, 83 Degrees has a new Publisher.

Founder Diane Egner has stepped back from the role to spend more time with family and pursue other opportunities, while continuing to work with 83 Degrees and its parent company, Issue Media Group, on some underwriting agreements.

“The timing is right in terms of the ongoing success of 83 Degrees and prospects for expanding local journalism through collaborative community efforts,” Egner says. “My goal in moving into a Founder role is to continue to strengthen relationships in the community and to support the publication’s transition to a new Publisher who can help identify greater support for solutions journalism.”

Issue Media Group has named Andrea Daly 83 Degrees’ new Publisher. Daly brings extensive experience in marketing and management at the Tampa Bay Times and, before that, the Tampa Tribune and WFLA-TV. She is currently an adjunct professor with the University of South Florida Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications.

“I was born and raised in Tampa, and I’ve built my career connecting people, places, and ideas here,” Daly says. “83 Degrees is an incredible opportunity to build on the strong foundation Diane created while elevating local storytelling that highlights what’s working in our community. I’m passionate about shining a light on the good happening here, stories that remind us we can all be part of the solution and help build a better Tampa.”

Egner joined Issue Media Group with three decades of journalism experience, including approximately 25 years at the Tampa Tribune, where she began as a reporter, was promoted to several editor positions, and was a longtime editorial writer. Right before 83 Degrees, she oversaw content and production funding at WUSF Public Media.

The first issue of 83 Degrees was published online in November 2009, introducing Issue Media Group’s solutions-based journalism approach to the Bay Area. Egner focused on telling stories of Tampa Bay’s TIDE (talent, innovation, diversity, and environment).

“We’ve had a lot of great success producing the kind of stories that no one else was doing, especially early on, when the focus of traditional media tended to be about murder, mayhem, and all the bad things happening,” Egner says. “We intentionally focused on job creation, growing companies, and investments in the community. I think the Tampa Bay area was hungry for that kind of news. To start from nothing and keep it going for 17 years, I think we’ve been hugely successful. And it’s still strong. I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

Issue Media Group CEO John Montgomery reflected on Egner’s importance to 83 Degrees. 

“Diane was there from the beginning of 83 Degrees in 2009, and she has been the face of the publication in the 16-plus years since. We are incredibly grateful for her vision, leadership, and ambassadorship of the brand and its mission in the Tampa Bay area. We knew this day would come eventually, but she will be missed all the same.”

Egner recommended Daly for the Publisher position.

“She has the background, the knowledge, and the connections in the community to step in and do really well,” Egner says.

Montgomery says Daly brings the right mix of experience and commitment to the community. 

“We are excited about Andrea taking the reins, as she comes to this role with deep roots in the metro area, deep expertise and experience in media, and a deep appreciation for the importance of community here,” he says. “She will be an outstanding leader to take 83 Degrees into its next chapter.”

Daly says 83 Degrees plays a valuable role in the current media environment.“83 Degrees fills an important space by focusing on stories that don’t always get told but matter deeply,” she says. “We focus on what’s moving Tampa Bay forward, from innovation and growth to arts and culture, and the people making it happen. As many newsrooms shrink, this kind of local storytelling helps people stay connected, understand what’s happening around them, and see how they can make a difference. I want to tell the stories of the people and organizations making the Tampa Bay area a better place. I’m drawn to the people in the community who are taking action, building, leading, and giving back. Those are the stories that inspire others to step in and make a difference. “