* J. Kendrick Noble Jr.; Media Business Analyst

J. Kendrick Noble Jr., 71, a Wall Street analyst known for his insight on the news media and publishing industries. A New York City native, Noble attended Princeton University before graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. He began his career as a director at Noble & Noble Publishers Inc., the New York textbook publishing company founded by his grandfather, G. Clifford Noble, and his father, J. Kendrick Noble Sr. He switched to advising investors about publishing industry stocks, becoming senior media analyst for Paine Webber Inc. Noble was annually ranked as a member of Institutional Investor magazine’s “All American Research Team” from its inception in 1972 through 1990. In addition to investors, major news reporters consulted Noble, quoting his views in their stories and telecasts about various media mergers, downsizing and other major trends. In 1991, Noble founded Noble Consultants, a private firm focused on strategic planning for media companies. On Saturday in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., of a heart attack.