The Media’s Good Citizen: Bob Woodworth (MBA ’73)

University of Virginia Darden School of Business alumnus Bob Woodworth (MBA ’73) rose in the media industry from his early-post Darden days at Capital Communications — where he helped lead the much smaller company’s acquisition of ABC in 1985 — to president and CEO of Pulitzer Inc.

In an alumni profile on The Network section of Darden’s website, Woodworth shared the story of his early life, career in the media and how a focus on ethics learned at Darden helped guide his commitment to principled journalism.

The uncompromising ethical principles Woodworth learned to appreciate at Darden formed the underpinning of his future success. “There was really a clear expectation that ethical issues were an inviolate part of the Darden culture,” he said. “I might have been a bit of a wild hare when I arrived at Darden, so it definitely created a strong impression.”

And in the age of “fake news” and “alternative facts,” the retired media veteran encourages the next generation to “follow the course that you intuitively believe is right” when faced with a challenging decision, particularly when it involves ethical issues. “It may be different than what you can get approved or what others are encouraging,” he said. “It’s seldom easy and often unpopular, but it pays off in the long run.”

Read the full profile posted in Darden’s The Network section.