The Seattle Times Company has been a family-owned business for more than 100 years. From original founder Alden Blethen to great-grandson Frank Blethen, the family has maintained majority control of the newspaper to the present day. This case study from Harvard Business School details the long family history that ends with the fifth generation or "fifth edition" and explains how family ownership, journalistic excellence, commitment to community and core values ​​have added to success in recent years. In the current case, Frank Blethen, publisher and CEO of the Seattle Times, is celebrating a successful transition from an afternoon to a morning publication. Where other newspapers have failed to adapt to changing lifestyles and trends, The Seattle Times has thrived. The success of the transition is due in large part to the private, independent ownership of the company and Franks' unique brand of leadership. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Frank and the rest of the Blethen family are proud that the Seattle Times Company is a family-owned business. In fact, they are determined to eventually gain 100% control of the company. And surely the powers and flexibility that accompany family ownership are a major reason why the Seattle Times has succeeded where other metropolitan newspapers have failed. There are other benefits of this family-run business. Unlike media giants, The Seattle Times is about quality journalism and editorial content. The newspaper remains connected to the interests and needs of its readers, and not those of distant investors and conglomerates. Finally, and most importantly, I believe that the Blethens provide a healthy work environment (although this has not always been the case, especially at the beginning of the fourth generation). Seattle Times Company employees feel a sense of trust in the Blethens. And, although the Seattle Times Company was unable to offer stock options, it still offered its employees many benefits. The company built a daycare in 1987, has continually strengthened diversity and helped workers transition to a morning release. Frank Blethen's leadership and insistence on family ownership produced much success for the Seattle Times Company. Likewise, it created some barriers. When Frank expresses concern about his company's future at the end of the case, he asks a series of thought-provoking questions (pp. 16-17). Most can be summed up as whether or not the company will be profitable enough to grow and whether or not it will be able to maintain employee satisfaction. Frank believes the Seattle Times Company can either remain privately owned and continue to practice its core values ​​or go public to become a media giant and sacrifice its family mentality for large profit margins. What Frank fails to see is that he can compromise to get the best of both worlds. After all, Google, Bain and Company, Twitter, and LinkedIn are ranked among the highest in the world for excellent employee satisfaction, and none of them are family-owned. In fact, some are giants and even leaders in their respective industries. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay If the Seattle Times Company remains a small, privately held company and continues unable to offer its employees stock options and other incentives, competing for top talent may become difficult. Potential employees..