MEDIAware, PR Newswire’s Audience Research Department newsletter, features recent media news and job changes in the industry. Here is a sampling of this month’s edition:

Time Inc. (http://www.timeinc.com), publisher of Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, People and In Style announced that they would be laying off 500 employees across the world. These cuts include 250 jobs in New York which accounts for 6% of its workforce. Among those cut was Health Editor-in-Chief Ellen Kunes. Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes and Time Inc. CEO Laura Lang‘s put the layoffs in motion after Time Inc. saw a 6% decrease in revenue in the third quarter of 2012. The culprit of the layoffs was a revenue shortage caused by the drops in print advertisments and magazine subscriptions.

Al-Jazeera (http://www.aljazeera.com and https://twitter.com/ajenglish) purchased Current TV (http://current.com) for $500 million. Current TV was former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s startup vehicle designed to provide news analysis, politics and commentary. This purchase puts Al-Jazeera into nine times the amount of homes it was reaching previously.

The Boston Globe could be up for sale again. The New York Times Company tried selling the paper three years ago but was unsuccessful in finding a deal. The possibility of selling the paper was revisited again last year although CEO Janet Robinson wanted to wait in hopes that the launch of the Globe’s new pay wall would improve its sales.

Univision has renamed and rebranded their Telefutura network. It is now named Unimas. http://tv.univision.com/unimas/

This month The New York Times (http://twitter.com/nytimes) announced major changes to its masthead with several top veterans accepting buyout packages. Among those saying their final good byes to the paper are Assistant Managing Editor Jim Roberts, Sports Editor Joe Sexton, and Culture Editor Jon Landon. The buyout packages were developed as a way to avoid major layoffs and did alleviate the bulk of the necessary budget cuts. Editor Jill Abramson (abramson@nytimes.com) (https://twitter.com/JillAbramson) expressed sincere gratitude to all those who will be bidding the paper farewell. Now that the NYT’s shake-up at the top has come to an end, expect several familiar names at the paper to take on new and increasing responsibilities.

Boston’s Phoenix Media WFXN-FM has been sold to Clear Channel Communications. Only the signal has been sold, Phoenix Media will keep its call letters. The station consisted of 21 employees. Most of the employees’ have left except for Program Director Paul Driscoll and Promotions Director Mike Snow.

The Crossover (https://twitter.com/crossover) is a brand new show which premiered on January 26th on the NBC Sports Network. The show is hosted by Michelle Beadle (https://twitter.com/MichelleDBeadle) and Dave Briggs (https://twitter.com/DaveBriggsTV). Beadle is a former ESPN SportsNation host and Briggs is a former “Fox & Friends” host. The show features sports news, pop culture and social media news.

The Financial Times (http://www.ft.com and https://twitter.com/FinancialTimes) is planning to cut 25 jobs via either buyouts or layoffs. Editor Lionel Barber believes this will save up to $2 million a year. He also hopes to add 10 new staffers to the digital side of their operation.

SiriusXM Satellite Radio (http://www.siriusxm.com) added two million new subscribers in 2012. They now have 23.9 million subscribers tuning in daily.

The Tribune Company has emerged from bankruptcy. After restructuring, the company is anticipated to trade its newspaper assets and focus on its 23 television stations, including WGN America. Peter Liguori has been named CEO of Tribune Company. He will manage the Tribune Broadcasting Company network and the company’s publishing and digital operations. Liguori most recently served as COO at Discovery Communications.

There’s a new publication in Miami, Florida. NEW YOU magazine (http://www.newyoumedia.com) is a quarterly magazine dedicated to helping women find the latest anti-aging methods and technologies. Ruchel Louis Coetzee (ruchel@newyoumedia.com) is the Editor. Follow NEW YOU on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NewYouMedia

Earlier this month, Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive (cynthia_leive@condenast.com) (https://twitter.com/cindi_leive) announced the addition of Ying Chu (ying_chu@condenast.com) (https://twitter.com/yingchunyc) to the Glamour (http://twitter.com/glamourmag) masthead as the new Executive Beauty Editor. Chu comes to the magazine after a stint as Marie Claire‘s Beauty and Health Editor for several years.

The Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com and https://twitter.com/washtimes) started the year with at least 20 layoffs including Sports Reporter Patrick Stevens (https://twitter.com/D1scourse). Executive Editor David Jackson had announced in November that there could be layoffs and there were in January.

Joanna Coles (https://twitter.com/JoannaColes), who just recently took over as Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine (http://www.cosmopolitan.com/ and https://twitter.com/Cosmopolitan and https://www.facebook.com/Cosmopolitan) made an exciting announcement earlier this month. The magazine will be featured on an upcoming reality show on CBS called, “The Job” (http://www.cbs.com/shows/the-job/ and https://twitter.com/TheJobCBS). Coles is no stranger to the TV world as she had a recurring mentor role on the hit show, “Project Runway” while she was Editor-in-Chief at Marie Claire. “The Job” will air on Fridays at 8pm ET in February and Cosmopolitan will be featured on its second episode airing on February 15th. Five contestants will compete for an editorial assistant position at Cosmopolitan.

The Star-Ledger (http://www.nj.com/starledger/) recently announced a large-scale layoff of 34 employees including 18 from the newsroom. The layoffs were due to financial hardships and the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The paper is also considering outsourcing the printing and packaging of the paper. The following link is provided for additional information on this story: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/star-ledger_announces_layoffs.html. The Star-Ledger can be followed on Twitter: https://twitter.com/starledger and on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/Star.Ledger.

After a short prime time career WNYW-TV’s (http://twitter.com/myfoxny) Greg Kelly (http://twitter.com/gregkellyfox5) will be returning to “Good Day New York” as Co-Anchor with Rosanna Scotto (http://twitter.com/rosannascotto). The network announced that Kelly would Anchor the 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. newscast just a few months ago while veteran Dave Price (http://twitter.com/DavePriceTV) returned to the network taking over Kelly’s open morning spot alongside Scotto. However, in an unexpected turn of events Price will once again depart from the network allowing for the return of Kelly. Additionally, current early morning Anchor Steve Lacy will be filling in during Kelly’s prime time spots.

ESPN all-pro Sports Reporter Rachel Nichols (https://twitter.com/Rachel__Nichols) has traded teams and is headed to CNN (Cable News Network) to become a Sports Anchor/Reporter there.

You can view the whole February January issue of MEDIAware here: http://www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/mediaware/

And all of the Regional Updates here: http://www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/mediaware/February2013UpdatesByRegion.html

You can also follow all of the latest media moves and news from PR Newswire’s Audience Research Department on Twitter at: twitter.com/PRNmedia

July MEDIAware

MEDIAware, PR Newswire’s Audience Research Department newsletter, featuring media news and job changes in the last month, is now available. Here is a sampling of this month’s edition:

Ann Curry Co-Host of NBC’s The Today Show (today.msnbc.msn.com/) announced her departure on Thursday, June 28th. She shifted into the Co-Host role last June after Meredith Vieira left the show. Recently, The Today Show has experienced a drop in ratings giving their rival at ABC’s Good Morning America ample opportunity to take over the number one spot for morning show ratings. Curry will remain at NBC and head a new team that will cover stories from around the globe. She will anchor prime-time specials and report for The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, Rock Center, Dateline and MSNBC, collectively. Her replacement is Savannah Guthrie. Guthrie was the Co-Host of the 9 o’clock hour of The Today Show and frequently filled in for Curry. She began her new co-host role Friday, June 29th. You can watch Curry’s departing words here: tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=739524

Just as former L.A. Laker Magic Johnson aspired to greatness on the basketball court, he is now hoping for the same success with his new venture – a cable network called “Aspire” (www.aspire.tv). The network is based in Atlanta (more specifically College Park) and was started in conjunction with gmc TV (Gospel Music Television). Programming includes a mix of family-friendly movies, films, documentaries, comedy and music as well a two-hour block of original, independent black features. The only specific programs mentioned, but not confirmed at press time were “Soul Train” and “I Spy.” Johnson has already lined up a number of exclusive, advertising deals with national brands such as Coca Cola, Wal-Mart, Nationwide Insurance, L’Oreal and Chrysler. Aspire’s direct competition includes the already existing minority-oriented entities of BET, Bounce (also in Atlanta), TV One and Centric. Twitter at twitter.com/tvASPIRE or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AspireTV.

A KATU-TV news helicopter helped Portland police arrest a suspected bank robber on June 20th. The suspect allegedly robbed a bank in Washington and drove across state lines into Oregon. Police on the ground lost sight of the suspect, but were able to relocate him by watching KATU while communicating with the station’s assignment desk about the location chase.

Heads up DC political journalists: Politico (www.politico.com/)is expanding and is looking to add 20 people to its editorial staff. The success of their Politico Pro paid service has spawned this need for more quality content.

Check out Hudson Reporter’s newest magazine – 07030. Hoboken’s newest semiannual lifestyle magazine ((www.hudsonreporter.com/pages/07030_hobok…), covers everything from celebrities to food and all in between. The magazine will offer regular highlighted features of “How We Work” and “How We Live” aspects of Hoboken. Kate Rounds is the Editor-in-Chief and can be reached at 07030@hudsonreporter.com.

The G. Gordon Liddy Show will go off the air at the end of July. G. Gordon Liddy, who is 81, is retiring from the show but will still be a Commentator on the Radio America network. Replacing G. Gordon in the 10:00 a.m. – Noon spot on Radio America will be Economics talker Peter Schiff (twitter.com/PeterSchiff). G. Gordon was part of the Watergate scandal in the Nixon administration who had five operatives break into the Democratic headquarters. The break-in led to the demise of President Nixon and was captured in the movie and film “All The President’s Men” written by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Washington Post Reporters at the time. G. Gordon spent over four years in prison for his part in the break-in, but he came back and became an expert on how things really work in politics, defense and at the White House.

CBS affiliate KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, CA took a unique approach in an effort to fill an open reporter position by conducting an on-air job interview. No word yet on who was chosen for the position.

We are sad to announce that Howie Chizek, a mainstay in Ohio radio has passed away. Howie died while on a trip taking underprivileged youths to Disney World. Howie has been in radio for 34 years and was still working at his show on WNIR-FM in Akron before his death. Howie was also the Cleveland Cavaliers Public Address Announcer at one time when they played in Richfield, Ohio.

U-T San Diego is following the lead of the Los Angeles Times by launching a pay wall. Non-subscription users will be required to participate in an online or print subscription after 15 monthly article views.

Congratulations to WATE-TV, Channel 6 in Knoxville, TN for winning two 2012 Edward R. Murrow awards. One was in the category of Best Use of Video in a small market. The other was for Best Video News Series in a small market with its piece on “Mission to Africa.”

Charlotte area residents will be familiar with the new afternoon drive team at WBT-AM/FM. Brad Krantz previously teamed with Richard Spires on WBT as recently as 2003. Now he’s back and teaming with Britt Whitmire. Whitmire arrives from various North Carolina stations including WPTF-AM and WSJS-AM. Their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/bradandbritt.

CNN International has launched a new program. “CNN Newsroom International” focuses on – what else? – international news and events. It is hosted by Suzanne Malveaux along with Hala Gorani, Michael Holmes and Richard Quest. The show airs 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. weekdays.

MSNBC debuted its new program called “The Cycle” on June 25th. (twitter.com/thecyclemsnbc) It airs weekdays at 3:00 p.m. EST. It is an ensemble show featuring four hosts that include conservative commentator S.E. Cupp, author Toure, Salon.com writer Steve Kornacki and former Congressional candidate Krystal Ball. All hosts will appear on every episode with each person taking turns heading the discussions. “The Cycle” is replacing “The Dylan Ratigan” show which aired its last episode on June 22nd after Ratigan decided not to renew his expiring contract with MSNBC.

Artnet Magazine has ceased publication after 16 years. It was the first online art magazine to exist. Unfortunately, the magazine was never able to make a profit. There are plans for its archives to be available on Artnet.com. Its Editors: Walter Robinson, Rachel Corbett and Emily Nathan are currently looking for new opportunities.

There is now an official Fox News lifestyle online magazine titled “Fox News Magazine” (twitter.com/foxnewsmagazine). The magazine covers love, style, beauty, nutrition, décor and celebrities. There is also a deal tracker Twitter page (twitter.com/foxmagdeals) offering the latest discounts on top brands exclusively for its readers. The magazine can be viewed on all platforms including phone, tablet, laptop and desktop. Don’t forget to visit the Facebook (www.facebook.com/FoxNewsMagazine), Twitter and Pinterest (pinterest.com/foxnewsmagazine/) pages today!

Los Angeles Times Business Reporter Ken Bensinger wins the prestigious Loeb Award, business journalism’s highest honor. Bensinger received the award for a three-part series that he wrote on the ruthless used-car business called “Wheels of Fortune”. www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-award-201…

You can read the full July MEDIAware Newsletter here:
www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/medi…

And check out all of the Audience Research Group’s Updates by Region here:
www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/medi…

Follow all of the latest media moves and news from PR Newswire’s Audience Research Department on Twitter at: twitter.com/PRNmedia

June Media Moves

MEDIAware, PR Newswire’s Audience Research Department newsletter, featuring media news and job changes in the last month, is now available. Here is a sampling of this month’s edition:

Advance Publications and Newhouse Newspapers recently announced four major papers will discontinue daily publication and staff cuts will be made in an effort to cut costs and focus on online content. The Times-Picayune (http://www.nola.com/t-p/) in News Orleans, The Birmingham News, The Huntsville Times and the Press-Register, all in Alabama, will be published three days a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. With this change New Orleans becomes the largest city in the U.S. without a daily published newspaper.

Quartz is coming from the Atlantic Media group. Quartz is a business publication designed for tablets, smart phones and all digital formats. It is tentatively scheduled to begin late this year with former Wall Street Journal-ist Kevin Delaney as Editor-in-Chief and Chris Batty as the Publisher. Former Economist Media Editor Gideon Lichfield is in charge of news content. Zach Seward has also been hired as Senior Editor. The web site is: http://qz.com and they will be tweeting: https://twitter.com/quartznews.

Beth Macy, a Reporter at The Roanoke Times, is taking a year sabbatical from the newspaper to concentrate on a book titled “Factory Man” based on articles she wrote earlier this year on the battle to fight China furniture imports by furniture company leader John D. Bassett III. You can read her series here: http://www.roanoke.com/multimedia/pickingup/still-making-it-in-america/ Beth also tweets here: https://twitter.com/papergirlmacy

Larry Platt has resigned as Editor at the Philadelphia Daily News. He lasted 16 months. Before this brief stint Platt was Editor of Philadelphia Magazine. This has opened the door for Michael Days (mdays@phillynews.com) to return as Editor. Michael had been working as Managing Editor at sister publication The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philly.com includes content from both newspapers: http://www.philly.com

Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com) Columnist Arnaud de Borchgrave has taken leave after being accused of plagiarism. His weekly columns also appear on UPI (http://www.upi.com). Check out the whole story here: http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/05/22/washington-times-columnist-arnaud-de-borchgrave-takes-leave-amid-plagiarism-probe/

The sports team recently lost their roster spots at USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com). Horse Racing veteran Reporter Tom Pedulla, Sports Blogger Tom Weir, Basketball Reporter J. Michael Falgoust, Auto Reporter Gary Graves Sports Biz Media Reporter Michael McCarthy were all let go.

Katie Couric is the new Host of “Katie’s Take”, a weekly digital program on Yahoo. (http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/katies-take-abc-news/) “Katie’s Take” covers topics including wellness, parenting, nutrition and health.  Couric will also be hosting a new syndicated daytime talk show called “Katie”. The show is set to premiere on September 10th and will be distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. Couric and Jeff Zucker are the Executive Producers.  You can follow Katie on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/katiecouric or facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/katieshow

It’s not over until the Fat Lady Sings: Talk about fast work — less than a day after the Metropolitan Opera Guild announced it would no longer include reviews of Metropolitan Opera productions in its magazine, Opera News (http://www.operanews.com), the readership spoke. And now the reviews will remain. The Opera News was born in May 1936 and remains a healthy monthly with more than 100,000 subscribers. The Metropolitan Opera Guild is an affiliate of the Metropolitan Opera but has different leadership.  They also “sing” about opera here: https://twitter.com/operanews

He has been on CBS. He has been on NBC. Now Bryant Gumbel will be on ABC as he guest hosts on “Live! With Kelly” in early June. Gumbel will appear on the program on the 4th and 5th. Since Regis Philbin’s retirement, the show has had a revolving door of guest co-hosts. The network has yet to decide on a permanent replacement for Philbin.

The Boston Globe could be up for sale again. The New York Times Company tried selling the paper three years ago but was unsuccessful in finding a deal. The possibility of selling the paper was revisited again last year, although, CEO Janet Robinson wanted to wait in hopes that the launch of the Globe’s new pay wall would improve its sales.

You can view the whole June Issue here: http://www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/mediaware/ And all the latest media changes by region here: http://www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/mediaware/June2012AgilityUpdatesbyRegion.html

Media Moves & News for May

PR Newswire’s media research team continually update the media database that powers our MEDIAtlas service, and our popular Microlists, which let you target niche audiences on the fly.  Here’s a summary of recent media and blogger updates.

The Wall Street Journal has yet another edition to add to its roster. The Professional Edition now has a sibling, which is geared toward CFOs. It is called CFO Journal and focuses on corporate finance. It includes customized tools, a targeted news feed, technical analyses and topical digests. The subjects covered include regulatory matters, taxation, accounting and the financial markets. Heading up the CFO Journal is Ronald Fink. Fink (ronald.fink@wsj.com) is no stranger to this topic as he was formerly with CFO Magazine. Assisting Fink are Deputy Editor Matthew Quinn (matthew.quinn@wsj.com) and Senior Editor Emily Chasan. Chasan (emily.chasan@wsj.com) was previously with Thomson Reuters.

In a surprise move, Editorial Director Michael Wolff (Michael.wolff@adweek.com) has folded both Mediaweek and Brandweek into Adweek, forming one magazine. Unfortunately with the merger some positions will be cut. Along with the “new” magazine, Adweek has launched a new website. Recent additions to the magazine include Reporter Erin Griffith (erin.griffith@adweek.com) and News Editor Brian Braiker (brian.braiker@adweek.com).

The Fix (http://www.thefix.com) is a new web news site that covers anything involved with substance abuse. It features stories on addiction and recovery and includes profiles of rehabilitation centers. It even features celebrity addictions in the news too. They’re on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/@_thefix) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/thefix.com.fb). Maer Roshan (maer@thefix.com) is the Editor-in-Chief.

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area will begin providing Sports coverage for NBC affiliate KNTV-TV. Comcast recently purchased NBC and this could be the first of many between the two. This move could be something to watch because the other Comcast SportsNets around the country may work out the same arrangements with their local NBC affiliates.

Katie Couric has announced that she will be departing from CBS Evening News upon the completion of her contract in June. Couric exclusively announced her plans in People Magazine. She will likely be replaced by 60 Minutes Correspondent Scott Pelley, who has been with the network for 21 years. Couric has anchored the CBS Evening News for five years.

Another talkshow host is expected to be stepping down from her position. After speculation, it appears that Meredith Vieira will be leaving The Today Show in June. She is most likely to be replaced by Ann Curry.

Conservative Talk Show Host Glenn Beck is leaving his show on the Fox News Channel. Beck, his production company (Mercury Radio Arts) and Fox News will create new projects for the network.  His announcement comes after ratings for the Glenn Beck Show have been on a decline. He is expected to leave his Host position later this year.

Congratulations to Frank Main, Mark Konkol and John J. Kim, winners of the Chicago Sun-Times’ first Pulitzer Prize since 1989. They were honored in the local reporting category. Film Critic Roger Ebert, Reporter for WTTW-TV,  Elizabeth Brackett and former Chicago Tribune Correspondent Richard C. Longworth will be honored as winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Peter Lisagor Awards dinner.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel won its third Pulitzer Prize in the last four years. Congratulations to Mark Johnson, Kathleen Gallagher, Gary Porter, Lou Saldivar and Alison Sherwood, honored in the explanatory reporting category.

Time Out Chicago launched a content partnership with Fox-owned WFLD-TV. The magazine will provide a link to WFLD-TV’s “daily deal” on TimeOutChicago.com sending those who click on it to MyFoxChicago.com for discounts touted by Sondra Solarte on Tuesday and Thursday editions of “Good Day Chicago.” As part of the partnership a Time Out contributor will appear on Friday editions of “Good Day Chicago” for a segment attached to the magazine’s “Things to Do” section, which provides weekend events and activities.

CNN Cable News Network announces they will lose their Entertainment Correspondent Brooke Anderson upon her decision to board The Insider as a co-anchor early in May. Anderson has been with CNN since July 2000 and has served as Entertainment Correspondent and host of Showbiz Tonight.

As Daytona Beach News celebrates its one-year anniversary of the newspaper under the new co-ownership of Publisher Michael Redding, Redding welcomes the celebration with a bit of a questionable and slightly too some, unethical idea: have his 400 remaining employees which includes editors and reporters to sell subscriptions and ads for the paper. The idea was presented by Redding’s as an incentive and not as a requirement. Those that sell a three-month subscription to the paper would get a $25 bonus or $50 for a six month subscription. Anyone that sells over $100 of advertising would get $50. Newsroom staffers have not received raises in four years and no raises were offered this year. “I think the new direction is the same direction as the old direction,” a staffer stated, “except there’s new people in charge. New people think they’re reinventing the wheel, except they’re not.”

The Los Angeles Times won a public service Pulitzer Prize for articles exposing politicians in the small working-class town of Bell, California. Some of Bell’s top officials were paying themselves six-figure salaries by increasing property taxes, amongst other fees. You can read the story here: http://www.latimes.com/la-2011-pulitzer-html,0,795326.htmlstory?track=la-hp-market-awards-pulitzer-winners-20110418-sl

“Winging It! Buffalo Style” is the name of a new show on the CW-affiliate WNLO-TV in….where else? Buffalo! The morning show is hosted by Victoria Hong (victoria.hong@wivb.com), Allie Hartwick (allie.hartwick@wivb.com ) and Joe Arena (joe.arena@wivb.com) with Melissa Holmes (melissa.holmes@wivb.com) reporting news. The show airs at 8:00 a.m. weekdays and covers such subjects as health and fitness, food, parenting, beauty and fashion. The show may air on sister station WIVB-TV in the future.

KABC-TV is one of the first TV stations to begin using the social blogging platform, Tumblr, by launching an official Tumblr page, http://abc7.tumblr.com.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has acquired the lifestyle website DiscoverSD.com. The acquisition is part of the Union-Tribune’s strategy to broaden its online audience.

Check out more media updates by region here:

http://www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/mediaware/May2011MEDIAtlasUpdatesbyRegion.html

About MEDIAtlas: Create, edit, save and distribute to media lists 24/7 with this easy-to-use web-based global media database and automated distribution system. Updated continuously, MEDIAtlas™ contains fully searchable contact details of hundreds of thousands of journalists and bloggers worldwide.  Tens of thousands of Pitching Tips from Bulldog Reporter help you learn exactly how and when to send your story for the greatest likelihood of pickup.

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