The LA Times FINALLY updated its web site staff list, and I'm wondering if it's correct to infer from Sandy Banks's designation as "staff writer" that she's no longer a columnist? From Minnesota Public Radio (full press release here):American Public Media is cancelling weekly production and distribution of Weekend America as a result of the current economy's impact on station carriage and sponsorships. The final broadcast will be January 31, 2009. Thirteen full- and part-time positions will be affected. Weekend America is carried on 134 stations with a weekly audience of about 657,000 listeners.
Gary Scott's blog reports the birth (or semi-rebirth) of San Pedro Today: Joshua Stecker, former editor of the now shuttered San Pedro Magazine, which was published by the Long Beach Press-Telegram, sent around an email announcing the launch of an independent magazine called San Pedro Today that will cover many of the same issues, but without the corporate interference.
News from KUSC: MaryAnn Bonino returns to KUSC as host of the new weekly series, Sunday Music. Bonino has brought classical music to life for audiences of all ages as a concert producer, public speaker, as well as radio/TV host. As a past member of the KUSC family, Bonino produced and announced several weekly series’ from 1979 to 1989. Bonino is currently Professor-at-Large Emeritus at Mount St. Mary's College, the Founding Artistic Director Emeritus of the Da Camera Society and creator of its Chamber Music in Historic Sites series. She is also the Curator of the Doheny Mansion, and recently published The Doheny Mansion: A Biography of a Home.
Per my question about quests, KUSC Program Director Gail Eichenthal replied, "It will be a predominately sacred music program, with MaryAnn’s particular sensibilities. Really, music of the spirit. Guests will be very scarce, because it’s mostly about the music. Once in awhile, perhaps." Check out staff changes and other info in LA Observed's post titled "Daily Journal Turmoil Continues" Modern Luxury's Front Desk magazine is no more, and its Editor Jenn Ball is now filling a role with the Angeleno web site. Got this from Kristen Calavas, co-founder and president of theLookBook.com, which is a tool for journalists rather than us PR types, but I'm happy to pass it along, especially since Calavas was one of us. And I quote, "I am a PR veteran formerly of BPCM Los Angeles and my business partner is Rhonda Richford, formerly an editor at the Los Angeles In Style magazine office." …TheLookbook.com (http://thelookbook.com) [is] a new online directory for publicists and stylists in the fashion industry. Need to know who is the PR contact for Chanel in Los Angeles? Want to know who styles Kiera Knightley? Please take a moment to visit the site where this info - plus more! - is listed. Anyone can join and log in is fast and easy.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE!
Got a tip that Features/Fashion Editor Kristin Young and web writer Lilliam Rivera are no longer at Angeleno and Angeleno Online, respectively. Was told when I checked with the magazine that Deputy Editor Jade Chang is taking over the features/fashion duties.From an LA Times "auto reply":Sheigh Crabtree is no longer with Los Angeles Times Interactive. Please direct all inquiries, pitches and requests for TheEnvelope.com and Latimes.com/entertainment to Joseph A. Kapsch- Executive Producer, Entertainment. Joseph.Kapsch at you-know-where.
NPR cancels "News & Notes" and "Day to Day," as of March 20, 2009. Full memo with details from LA Observed. This from the Washington Post:Some of those losing their jobs are veteran NPR voices, such as Ketzel Levine, an NPR reporter since 1977, and Vicky O'Hara, an editor and former diplomatic correspondent with 26 years on the job. Others include "News & Notes" host Farai Chideya, "Day to Day" host Madeleine Brand, Washington reporter Libby Lewis, entertainment-industry correspondent Kim Masters and national reporter John McChesney. About half the 64 people cut are journalists.
Interesting news… reassigned Cleveland Plain Dealer Classical Music Critic Don Rosenberg... …who was removed from his post at The Cleveland Plain Dealer after a history of negative reviews of the Cleveland Orchestra’s music director, struck back on Thursday with a lawsuit.
New York Times story here. From Gary Scott's blog late last week: Three Daily News reporters lost their jobs: prep sportswriter Gerry Gittelson, 11-year film critic Glenn Whipp and reporter Justino Aguila. That comes in addition to the departure of Antelope Valley reporter Karen Maeshiro, who quit after the AV section closed. She was told she could stay on at the paper, but only if she commuted to Woodland Hills.
I'm also told the DN Travel section will fold and that travel writer Eric Noland will be reassigned to the metro desk. LANG sports editor Kevin Modesti has also been reassigned as a metro reporter.
Nikki Finke reports layoffs and more at the Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Read this for all the news. Also, Variety's new address is: 5900 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 3100. Zip (LA 90036) stays the same. LA Observed adds that Backstage's Lauren Horwich was laid off.This also from LA Observed a few days ago: The Los Angeles Daily Journal newsroom was told this afternoon, in a very brief meeting, that editor Martin Berg is moving over to columnist and the new editor in chief is David Houston. He has been the San Francisco editor.
An email to LATimes.com Weekend Editor Bettie Rinehart came back to me this week as an auto reply saying she no longer works at the Times. Thanks to Omar Cunningham with Mannfolk PR, who passed on the news that the high-end luxury lifestyle magazine Atlanta Peach (same publisher as Ocean Drive) folded December 3. For minute by minute posts about changes at media outlets all around the country, add this to your daily/hourly Twitter "must see": https://twitter.com/themediaisdyingThe LA Times reorganizes its Food section staff, with Russ Parsons re-taking the food editor position. Betty Hallock is deputy editor, and Rene Lynch is, and I quote from the announcement, "assistant food editor/interactive." Details here. Thanks to Brenda Rees for passing along an email from twentysomethingonline.net, which is soliciting advertising but also apparently interested in getting”calendar events, articles or press releases." Check it out here.
