The New York Times Co. will become a more innovative, online-solution driven institution after the resignation of chief executive Janet Robinson, media observers and PR industry experts say.

It is unclear exactly why Robinson decided to resign December 31 after seven years at the helm of one of the media industry's blue chip brands. However, reports have speculated that the Times Co.'s ownership wanted a CEO with more digital chops, while the Times' own reporting team has said it could ...