Derick Daniels: Flamboyant ex-editor inspired many
February 8, 2005
BY CECIL ANGEL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Derick Daniels, a former executive editor of the Free Press who oversaw its Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the 1967 riot in Detroit, died of lung cancer Saturday at his home in Miami.
He was 76.
While he was Free Press editor, Mr. Daniels introduced changes that included Detroit Magazine and Action Line. Those additions helped close a circulation gap between the Free Press and the Detroit News.
"His watchword was 'evolution' and not 'revolution' because changing the paper overnight drives readers away," said Mort Persky, his longtime friend and colleague.
Later, Mr. Daniels became president and chief operating officer of Playboy Enterprises Inc. He became known as much for his flamboyant wardrobe -- which included a gold lame jumpsuit -- his five wives and his love of playing blackjack, as he was for his publishing expertise.
Born in Washington, D.C., Mr. Daniels attended the University of North Carolina and was a reporter at the St. Petersburg Times and the Atlanta Constitution, and an editor at the Miami Herald.
He spoke softly with a drawl. When he first began work at the Free Press, many staffers didn't like him because he wasn't hired from within.
Behind his back, he was referred to as "Magnolia," said Neal Shine, a former Free Press publisher who was a reporter when Daniels was hired first as city desk editor.
"He turned out to be one hell of a newspaper editor," Shine said.
Mr. Daniels' management style often won people over to his way of thinking.
"Derick almost never gave an order," Persky said. "His suggestions showed you the way. He gave people confidence they could do things they didn't think they could do."
His success at the Free Press led to his appointment in 1973 to Knight Newspaper corporate vice president of news. Between 1976 and 1982, he was Playboy's president.
In 1983, he founded One Woman magazine, which folded, and in 1992, he founded Ocean Drive magazine, which led to spinoff publications, Ocean Drive Espanol and Vegas.
Mr. Daniels is survived by his wife, Lee; sons Leigh and Scott, and stepsons Joseph Wasserstrom and Kirk Wasserstrom.
A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church of Miami, 609 Bricknewll Ave., in Florida.
The family requests that in lieu of any flowers, donations be made to the Adopt-A-Pet Center, 111900 SW 232nd St., Miami, Fla., 33170.
