S.F. Chronicle editor promoted

Hearst Newspapers promoted Phil Bronstein, editor of its San Francisco Chronicle, to editor at large, giving him a bigger role at the newspaper chain.

Bronstein will take on strategic responsibility for the Chronicle and for its closely held owner, Hearst Corp., the New York-based company said. A successor will be named shortly, the company said.

Bronstein, 57, said he needed a change after spending 17 years as an editor, first at the Hearst-owned San Francisco Examiner and then at the Chronicle after Hearst bought that paper in a deal completed in 2000.

He may be better known as the former husband of actress Sharon Stone, to whom he was married for six years.