September 30, 2010

News about staff changes at the Hollywood Reporter from the New York Post:

There is a month to go before The Hollywood Reporter takes a colossal gamble and drops its daily print edition to relaunch as a glossy weekly aimed at the film trade as well as some high-end consumers.

No surprise that Editorial Director Janice Min is making a flurry of new hires this week as she scrambles to fill out the staff in advance of the magazine's debut on Nov. 3.

Degen Pener, who was the editor-in-chief of the recently sold Angeleno Magazine, is joining as culture editor... Min also took time to raid from her old boss, Jann Wenner, by hiring Carol McColgin -- who had been the lead fashion writer at Us Weekly -- to be the style editor... Min's also poached from THR archrival Variety to hire Bill Higgins, a one-time "Into the Night" columnist at the Los Angeles Times, to cover parties and events around town.

The daily print version disappears on Nov. 3 when the new weekly launches.

More details from The Hollywood Reporter HERE.

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LA Observed reports:

Rob Guth, the Wall Street Journal's tech reporter based in San Francisco, is coming south to be Los Angeles bureau chief... Also, L.A. based Disney and music reporter Ethan Smith gets a promotion to Entertainment News Editor, "the prime reporter and shepherd of our Hollywood entertainment coverage."

More HERE.


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I read last week about the passing of long-time wine writer Jean Burggren... she was a lovely person. RIP. Obit HERE.


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Thanks to Kenny Werther for passing this along from Theater Mania:

New York magazine editor-in-chief Adam Moss announced today that Scott Brown will be the magazine's theater critic as of September 21. Brown has been a part-time reviewer for the magazine for the last two years, and previously worked at Entertainment Weekly and is concluding his tenure as a columnist for Wired. He will contribute to the magazine's print edition, web site, and daily blogs.

The magazine's previous theater critics include John Simon and Jeremy McCarter. Over the past two years, Brown has shared reviewing duties with Dan Kois and Stephanie Zacharek.

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From an Elle Decor press release:

Michael Boodro, Editor in Chief of ELLE DECOR, announced the appointment of three additional senior staffers to the brand's editorial team: Ingrid Abramovitch, Editor At Large, Allison M. Mezzafonte, Executive Editor Online and Caryn M. Prime, Managing Editor. Ms. Abramovitch, Ms.Mezzafonte and Ms. Prime join the previously-announced team that includes Anita Sarsidi, Design Director, Vicky Lowry, Executive Editor and Florentino Pamintuan, Creative Director.

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From an Architectural Digest press release:

Margaret Russell, Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest, has named the following individuals to her editorial staff, it was announced today.

Executive Editor —Sarah Medford, formerly Director of Arts, Culture & Design at Town & Country

Managing Editor—Lawrence Karol, formerly Executive Managing Editor at W Magazine

Special Projects Editor— Mitchell Owens, formerly Editor at Large at Elle Decor

Interiors Editor—Robert Rufino , formerly Vice President of Creative Services at Tiffany & Co., and most recently, a Senior Editor at Large at House Beautiful.

Design Editor—Howard Christian, formerly manager of the Treillage design/home-furnishings/garden shops

Style Editor—Elana Frankel, formerly Decorating Editor at Martha Stewart Living

Senior Writer—Sam Cochran, formerly a freelance writer specializing in design, arts and culture, and travel

Copy Chief— Kate Hambrecht, formerly Copy Chief at Elle Decor

Assistant Editor, Digital— Katherine Jerde, formerly Editorial Assistant at Architectural Digest in Los Angeles

Margaret Dunne, the former Executive Editor of Architectural Digest in Los Angeles has been named Consulting Editor, as has former Special Projects Manager, James Munn, both will remain in Los Angeles. George Moscahlades, Architectural Digest’s former Art Director, will stay on as Consulting Designer in New York.

September 20, 2010

This just in, via LA Observed:

Conde Nast announced today that the editorial offices of Bon Appetit magazine will be moving to New York, without longtime editor Barbara Fairchild. She will oversee the transition then leave to pursue other projects, including some with Conde Nast, according to the release.

Thanks also to LA Observed for THIS MEMO about new and changed programming at KPFK.


Wall Street Journal news from AP:

Starting next week, the Saturday Journal, under a new masthead reading "WSJ," will replace Weekend Journal with two distinct sections.

The Review section, comparable to the Times' Week in Review, will carry essay-style pieces on big ideas and events, with a pullout section inside devoted to book reviews. Gary Rosen, a former Commentary magazine editor with a background from Stanford and Harvard universities will run the section. Robert Messenger, one of the founding editors of the shuttered New York Sun, will report to Rosen as head of the book section.

The Off Duty lifestyle section will hew more toward high-end consumer reporting: fashion, tech, home decorating and design. Deborah Needleman, the editor of home decor magazine Domino before it folded last year, is leading the section as well as WSJ magazine. She has brought in fellow Domino alumnus Ruth Altchek to help run things day-to-day and Kevin Sintumuang from GQ to edit tech and gadgets. (The Journal won't reveal exactly how many extra staffers it has hired for the weekend.)

Two things that slipped through the cracks from a few weeks ago...

... this one from a press release last month:

New York, NY, August 23, 2010: Michael Boodro has been named Editor-in-Chief of ELLE DECOR; it was announced today by Robin Domeniconi, Senior Vice President, Chief Brand Officer, Elle Group. His appointment is effective August 25, 2010. Mr. Boodro has been promoted to Editor-in-Chief from the position of the magazine's Executive Editor. ELLE DECOR, the leading title in the shelter category, will also retain its core editorial team led by Anita Sarsidi, Florentino Pamintuan and Vicky Lowry.

... and this from Felix Racelis

Just wanted to let you know a former colleague of mine, Queena Kim, moved to the Bay Area a couple of months ago to become the Community Editor for the new online publication, The Bay Citizen. Queena was the producer for KPCC's Off-Ramp.

September 13, 2010

The New York Times reports this about The Hollywood Reporter:

Starting next month, Janice Min, who became the editorial director in June, and Richard Beckman, chief executive of The Reporter’s parent company, e5 Global Media, will remake the five-times-a-week publication as a glossy, large-format weekly magazine.

The content in the magazine, which will include a mix of analytical and feature articles and photo spreads, will be coupled with an aggressive and redesigned Web operation built around breaking news. A daily digital edition, in a PDF file, will replace the daily printed version distributed to subscribers now.

The prototype of the redesigned Reporter shows how he and Ms. Min plan to reach both audiences. It includes a new, more stylized logo and is printed on heavy, glossy paper. It is divided between fluff — an “About Town” section offers extensive coverage of parties and premieres — and substantive, reported features with tart language like “Coroner’s Report,” an examination of a movie that flopped. “How ‘Mad Men’ Inspired Prada,” reads the headline of another feature in the prototype.

Several items from LA Observed...

Food writer Lesley Balla announced she has left Tasting Table: "It's been a fun and incredibly informative year and a half, but it's time to move on." And a new blog http://chowballa.com/

...and this about KCBS's redesigned web site:

It's branded now as CBS Los Angeles and includes stuff from the two TV stations, CBS 2 and KCAL 9, and radio stations KNX and KFWB. Plus a whole lot that has little to do with CBS, such as newswire stories, calendar items and L.A guides of various kinds.

Here's a LINK to add events to the calendar:


...and this about a contact change for the LA Times' Health section:

Tami Dennis, health and science editor at the Los Angeles Times, is getting new Tribune-wide responsibilities and the title of vice president of health content for Tribune Company. She will coordinate health coverage at Tribune newspapers, television stations and websites and produce a new national health blog. Looks like the Tribune has decided it wants health news and information to be a money maker going forward.

Rosie Mestel named to replace Dennis as health and science editor.

Take THIS link for memo and more info.

Got this email auto reply from Wall Street Journal Speakeasy blog writer Michelle Kung:

I am currently out of the office because I am relocating. Starting Tuesday Sept. 7, I will be working out of the Wall Street Journal's L.A. Bureau at 6500 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1500, Los Angeles, CA 90048. For immediate assistance on all Speakeasy-related issues, please email the general account at speakeasy [wsj.com] and someone will get back to you. Thank you.

August 24, 2010

Just when you think arts journalism can't get any dispiriting ... check out OC Register writer Tim Mangan's blog post describing his new assignment at the newspaper. Do the names "Lindsay" and "Paris" ring any bells? Sigh.


Thanks to the amazing Ken Werther for bringing to my attention that Mark Kennedy replaces the late Michael Kuchwara as AP's theater writer and reviewer. More from the LA Times here.


Thanks to the fabulous Lucy Pollak for passing along this email from LA Watts Times' Samuel Richard...

Hello,
As part of the transition of the L.A. Watts Times to new ownership, this e-mail address will be disabled soon. Please contact me at: sam.lawt (address is @lasentinel.net)

... and also this link announcing the sale of the Watts Times to the Sentinel's owners.


LA Observed passes along today's LA Times memo with this announcement:

Please join us in welcoming to the arts & entertainment staff Deborah Vankin, who is moving over from Brand X, where she has been its innovative and indefatigable editor since its inception in print and online. Deb will work as a general assignment reporter across the arts, culture and entertainment spectrum, mainly for the Calendar section, reporting to Craig Turner.

August 16, 2010

Terry Miller is the new-ish editor of the Beacon Media group of newspapers (Pasadena Independent, Arcadia Weekly, etc.). His @beaconmedianews.com address is tmiller.


Got this auto reply from Robin Jones, who was Westways' managing editor:

I no longer work for the Auto Club. Please send any inquires to John Lehrer at lehrer.john.

Lehrer's email is @aaa-calif.com.


Lindsay Keenan at Vanity Fair has been replaced by Bramble Trionfo. @condenast.com address is bramble_trionfo.


Nathan Cooper is no longer at C Magazine; Jenny Murray Hooks, previously Managing Editor, takes his Editor title, according to the magazine's receptionist.


Per Media Bistro's Revolving Door newsletter:

Deborah Needleman, former editor of defunct Condé Nast title Domino, is the new editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal's WSJ. Magazine

August 9, 2010 - Happy 8/9/10 Day!

Veteran food writer Dee Long announces the launch of a new food and beverage blog called "Gotta Love It" on Wednesday, September 1st. "Gotta Love It" will review new food and beverage products, gizmos and gadgets that make dining and cooking easier, more creative or more fun, along with new cookbook releases. Pitch Long via @aol.com: dlong34522.


According to an article in the Beverly Hills Courier, News Editor Abbey Hood departs to enter a "doctoral program of the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant University in San Francisco." Replacing her is Adam Popescu.


Thanks to Flo Selfman for passing this along:

Elle Decor editor-in-chief Margaret Russell has been named editor-in-chief at Architectural Digest to succeed Paige Rense.

Per an auto reply generated by an email to Palos Verdes Peninsula News Society Editor Frank Brown:

We regret to inform you that Society Editor Frank Brown is no longer with the Peninsula News. Please forward Anniversary, Wedding and Engagement announcements to Rebecca Villaneda at rvillaneda. Please forward all Society events and announcements to Mary Scott at mscott.

Both addresses are @pvnews.com.


And finally, this from PR Week, courtesy of a link from Carol Soudah at the Rogers Group:

Lynne Doll passes away
LOS ANGELES: Lynne Doll, president and partner of The Rogers Group, died on August 3 due to complications from a stroke. She was 48 years old. Doll started at The Rogers Group in 1985, and recently, Ron Rogers, chairman of the agency, called hiring Doll the best decision of his career. While at The Rogers Group, Doll handled crisis communications, led the public sector practice, and helped grow and expand the agency's expertise, high-profile clients, and campaigns.

July 24, 2010 News

RIP Norm Chandler Fox, writer and more. I worked frequently with him earlier in my career, and he was a lovely person. Obit HERE.


Tim Mangan, one of the best music writers around, and also one of the funniest, has his own blog now that the OC Register saw fit to discontinue its Arts Blog. Check it out HERE, and note the irony of THIS particular post announcing that OC Arts Blog was just named "Best Blog" by the O.C. Press Club.


From LAIst:

It's not often you hear about an online publication announcing its transition to print. Because it is -- although hackneyed -- usually the opposite: "print is dying." But that's not true. At all.

And to prove that point, downtown's most well-known blog this morning announced that it will begin printing a weekly. blogdowntown Weekly will join LA Weekly and other papers on downtown news racks on Thursday, August 5th. To start, 25,000 tabloid-size, full-color papers will be produced.

The 16-page or so publication will mainly feature calendar and lifestyle content, leaving developing news to the blog...

Full story HERE.


Thanks to Flo Selfman for passing this along, via Levine Breaking News:

Alex Raksin, who spent eleven years writing and editing book reviews for the L.A. Times and nine years as an editorial writer, joins the Center for Governmental Studies as Director of External Affairs.