The Star Tribune's chief revenue officer, Jeff Griffing, is leaving the paper to join printing and marketing conglomerate Taylor Corp.

Griffing accepted the position as executive vice president of Taylor Corp. just months after its CEO, Glen Taylor, acquired the Star Tribune. In his new position, he will work across a wide range of the Taylor companies to help them develop and implement new strategies for growth.

"Taylor Corp. first approached Jeff last year — well before the Star Tribune acquisition — and has been trying to convince him to join them for some time," Star Tribune Publisher and CEO Mike Klingensmith wrote in an employee memo Wednesday.

Taylor has more than 80 subsidiaries across 20 states and eight countries — 50 of them falling under the Taylor Corp. umbrella.

"He has brought the Star Tribune to a leadership position in advertising initiatives and performance within the country's major metro newspapers during a very challenging period for the industry," Klingensmith said of Griffing.

Before joining the company in 2010, Griffing was publisher and vice president of sales of Sports Illustrated. Before that he was president and publisher of Transworld Media, a publisher of action sports magazines and websites and producer of events and feature films for the action sports market.

The Star Tribune named Paul Kasbohm as Griffing's replacement. Kasbohm has worked at the Star Tribune for 17 years, most recently as vice president of advertising.

"He has deep relationships with our largest clients and comprehensive knowledge of our market, the industry and our sales organization," Klingensmith wrote.

Kasbohm's team will include Ray Faust as vice president of emerging media and Steve Yaeger as vice president of marketing and public relations.

Griffing's last day will be Oct. 16.

Kristen Leigh Painter • 612-673-4767