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Magazines & Newspapers Recent Headlines U.S. Media Threatened by Falling Subsidy Financial Times Washington's subsidy of the U.S. news media has sunk to dangerously low levels over the past four decades and could erode further, threatening newspaper and magazine publishing. Postal rate discounts and tax breaks on circulation expenditures have fallen to "new lows." Penthouse Parent Delays IPO to Next Week Bloomberg FriendFinder Networks, the publisher of Penthouse magazine, is pushing back its initial public offering until next week. FriendFinder had planned to raise as much as $240 million on Wednesday. "The IPO market may be softer than we initially thought." Tribune Wins OK for $45.6M in Bonuses Chicago Tribune A bankruptcy judge is approving a contested $45.6 million Tribune bonus pool to be divided among 720 managers and execs. The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild and the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee had objected to the bonus plans, describing them as "too high." Wall St Journal's NY Edition Faces Delay New York Times Technical snags are said to threaten to delay Rupert Murdoch’s plan to create a metropolitan edition of the Wall Street Journal. To keep to its scheduled start date in April, the project may need outside help with printing -- from potential rival New York Times. Slate Founder Out as Atlantic Biz Editor DailyFinance Atlantic Media last fall hired Slate founder Michael Kinsley to develop and launch a business-news site. The site is still in development, but Kinsley, it turns out, won't be its editor. The search is on for someone to replace him. "I'm not obsessed with business," Kinsley says. Huffington: Open Links Are Monetizable Marketing Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington sees a "hybrid future" where the old media and new media work together. And while some news outlets start adding online pay walls, "it's important to recognize that we're living in the linked economy. And links are monetizable." Auletta: Media In Age of 'Maybe Models' Min Old media are facing the prospect of embracing a set of new "maybe models" while sacrificing businesses that are declining but still generating revenue, says New Yorker media columnist Ken Auletta. If he ran a media company, his go-to adviser would be "a smart engineer." Craigslist, Google Bashed by Meg Whitman San Jose Mercury News Former eBay chief Meg Whitman serves up frank opinions of Craigslist and Google in her new self-help business book, "The Power of Many." Google gives too many perks to its employees, she writes, while Craigslist suffers from dubious "legal and ethical" standards. Wall St Journal Bulks Up for NY Edition New York Observer The Wall Street Journal is continuing to staff up its new New York edition, and the project increasingly is looking like a direct assault on the New York Times. The Journal's New York bureau, expected to launch in April, will be staffed with roughly three dozen staffers. Newsday Lures Only 35 Web Subscribers Crain's New York Nearly three months after Newsday put its Web site behind a pay wall, Newsday.com has attracted only 35 subscribers. In addition, traffic to the Long Island daily's site has dropped by half. Owner Cablevision says: "Our strategy is proceeding according to plan." Murdoch Tabloid Produces Song for Haiti The Sun REM's 1993 ballad "Everybody Hurts" is being produced as a charity single to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake, organized by Simon Cowell and Rupert Murdoch U.K. tabloid The Sun. Participating performers include Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart and Miley Cyrus. Tribune Union Fights 'Excessive' Bonuses Bloomberg Tribune should be blocked from paying managers as much as $45.6 million in bonuses, according to the Newspaper Guild, one of the bankrupt newspaper publisher's unions. The proposed bonus pool is "seems way too generous for the circumstances this year." Time Inc Staffers Defecting to Bloomberg New York Post The defections from Time Inc. to Bloomberg LP seem to be gathering more steam. Arthur Hochstein, the longtime art director of Time magazine, is heading to Bloomberg as a consultant for Bloomberg BusinessWeek, where he will spearhead a redesign now under way. Harper's Magazine Editor Hodge Is Fired New York Times Roger Hodge, the editor of Harper's Magazine since 2006, is stepping down to "pursue other endeavors." Sources at the general-interest title, however, say Hodge was dismissed due to general weakness of the magazine's newsstand sales and circulation figures. Conde Nast Gives Honors to Digital Execs WWD At Conde Nast's annual publishers' meeting, held in Key Largo, Fla., the company is doling out prizes to its top achievers on the business side. In perhaps an indication of where the future lies, the top honors are going to digital execs Drew Schutte and Robert Sauerberg. Magazine Biz to Lose 35% of Value by 2014 min The magazine industry will see a loss of 35% of its value, or $16 billion, between 2007 and 2014, according to an analysis by MediaIdeas. The report cites the adoption of digital formats and the "inherent inefficiencies" of circulation, printing and distribution. WorldNetDaily.com Nears $10 Million Income Los Angeles Times WorldNetDaily.com, the "must-read Web site for anyone who hates Barack Obama," serves up a provocative mix of reporting and speculation. Revenue is on track to hit $10 million annually, says Joseph Farah, formerly an editor of the now defunct Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. TheStreet.com: Cramer Makes Some Dough Barron's Jim Cramer, chairman of TheStreet.com, and among the company's largest holders, made about $2.5 million Tuesday after shares of the online business news site jumped on its financial filings. TheStreet.com "was buried under an accounting investigation (now concluded)." HuffPost Accused of Republishing Twitter Wall Street Journal Twitter is abuzz with outrage that the Huffington Post "republished everything" that appeared on Twitter Monday night. HuffPost founding partner Jonah Peretti calls the incident "a total misunderstanding," saying that the site was merely testing a Twitter client. NY Times Creates Unit for E-Editions Bloomberg New York Times Co. says it will create a business unit to focus on generating profits from e-editions, including versions of its newspapers for Amazon's Kindle. "Recent and expected growth support a change to view them collectively as a profit-generating business." Penthouse Parent Ready to Go Public Los Angeles Times Penthouse magazine publisher FriendFinder Networks, which operates adult Web sites such as AdultFriendFinder, hopes to raise $220 million in an IPO this week. Analysts say the IPO could serve as a litmus test for the emerging social networking sector. Washington Post Eyes Local Business Washington City The Washington Post is distributing a prototype of a proposed new business magazine. According to the prototype, the new publication, called Capital Business, aims to offer "comprehensive coverage of the people and ideas that animate our local business community." Newsday Management, Union to Meet Dow Jones A labor union representing editorial employees at Newsday, the Long Island tabloid owned by Cablevision, will meet with the newspaper's management after the union's members voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract that included pay cuts and other concessions. Metro Newspapers, Foursquare Team Up Canada.com Metro's free newspapers in Canada are teaming up with hot Silicon Valley startup Foursquare, the location-based social network. Using a mobile phone's GPS system, a user can receive, for example, a restaurant review from Metro if that user is near the corresponding eatery. Google News: No 'Dewey Defeats Truman' WebProNews Google News is implementing a recrawl feature that lets it focus on getting the newest content. After Google News discovers an article, it will crawl it repeatedly to look for changes. "We bet whoever wrote 'Dewey Defeats Truman' wishes they had recrawl!" Google says. Craigslist Founder Talks Media Money City Brights Craigslist founder Craig Newmark says that the main problem in media today is money: There is so much media that revenue does not flow to the newspapers, leading to staff budget cuts and in some cases closures. Also, too many media outlets "make things up." Wired Editor Unveils His Next 'Big Idea' Wired Wired editor-in-chief Chris Anderson, author of "The Long Tail" and "Free," is unveiling his next big idea: Atoms Are the New Bits. He describes what he calls the "democratization of industry," a revolution made possible by amateur inventors and inexpensive manufacturers. Obama Media Diet Includes Blogs, Tweets Washington Post President Obama is "constantly" online reading "offbeat blogs," according to White House staffers. Obama "was particularly interested" tweets by The Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan about the Iranian elections. He also reads "magazines like crazy," including The Economist. Apple Tablet May Bring Video to Print Los Angeles Times Apple is amassing digital reading material for its rumored tablet, set for unveiling Wednesday. The New York Times is said to be working with Apple to develop a large-screen version of the newspaper's iPhone app that incorporates video for the new device. Conde Nast Eyes Non-Media Revenue Mediaweek Conde Nast is seeking new sources of revenue outside of traditional publishing, from iPhone apps to licensing its magazine brand names. The now-defunct Gourmet, Cookie and Domino may find new life as consumer products, such as branded kitchen appliances. Time Inc Leads in Fashion Recovery New York Post A recovery is underway for U.S. fashion magazines, which many consider a bellwether for the rest of the magazine industry. Time Inc.'s InStyle leads the comeback in March, with a jump to 255 advertising pages; Conde Nast's Vogue reigns at 375.4 pages. MediaNews Parent Files for Chapter 11 Denver Business Affiliated Media, the holding company for Denver Post owner MediaNews, is filing a plan for "prepackaged" Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The No. 2 U.S. newspaper publisher insists its restructuring won't involve the newspaper operations or affect employees or vendors. Murdoch Rumored to Sell London Times Twitter Rupert Murdoch is looking to sell his Times and Sunday Times newspapers, according to a rumor "making its way around London banking circles," per a tweet by Newser founder Michael Wolff. "Would appreciate any further intell on rumor," Wolff says in a later tweet. French Newspapers to Add Pay Walls New Media Age French newspaper Le Figaro is to make its online readers pay for content starting next month, while reports suggest weekly news magazine L'Express expects to unveil plans of a pay model. The moves follow a similar announcement from the New York Times. Journalism to 'Require' Public Subsidy Progressive A public subsidy will be necessary to save journalism, argues Bob McChesney, co-author of the new book "The Death and Life of American Journalism." "Advertisers don't need journalism." And "there is no evidence" that the Internet can support large numbers of paid journalists. Pope Urges Priests to Use Blogs, Videos Catholic News Pope Benedict XVI is urging priests around the world to respond to "today's cultural shifts" and start using Web sites, videos and blogs to reach young people. "The recent, explosive growth and greater social impact of these media make them all the more important." Media Industry Seeking Online Salvation Computerworld The New York Times' announcement that it plans to start charging readers for access to its Web site is risky, industry observers say. "Traditional media as we know them are in their death throes. The future probably belongs to the small and the swift, not legacy organizations." Conde Nast Touts Success of GQ App Advertising Age GQ's iPhone versions of regular print editions seem to be getting a foothold with paying consumers, according to results released by Conde Nast. The January issue's app sold for $2.99 more than 12,000 times. The sales figures are seen as "encouraging" for print publishers. Financial Times Plans Day Pass Pay Model Journalism.co.uk The Financial Times plans to launch a day pass model for access to online and mobile content, says FT.com managing director Rob Grimshaw. "It's reasonable to assume there are a lot of people who aren't willing to commit to one year's subscription in one go." NY Times, Nonprofit Team for Local News TechCrunch The Bay Area News Project, a nonprofit media organization providing hyper local news to the San Francisco area, is announcing a deal to provide news to the New York Times. The content will be used for the Times' local San Francisco editions on Friday and Saturday. Newsday: Teamsters Reject Labor Pact New York Post Teamster boss James Hoffa Jr. is urging the 1,100 workers covered by Newsday's labor contract to reject a deal that calls for 10% pay cuts for reporters and most other employees. The move sets the stage for a fight between Hoffa and Newsday parent Cablevision. EBay Founder's News Site Hires Editor Pacific Business John Temple, editor and publisher of the now-shuttered Rocky Mountain News, is being named editor of eBay founder Pierre Omidyar's online news service Peer News, due to launch early this year. Temple says he will "begin working right away to hire a staff." Tribune Sees 2009 Cash at $500 Million Chicago Tribune Tribune says it has generated a much better-than-expected $500 million in cash flow during 2009 and seeks to make it easier for a bankruptcy judge to bless $45.6 million in bonuses tied to the results for 720 managers at the company. Tribune filed for bankruptcy in 2008. NY Observer Gets a Media Columnist New York Observer Richard Siklos, a former media industry journalist for publications including Fortune and the New York Times, is writing a new weekly column on media for the New York Observer. Siklos is also working on a book about Michael Jackson's business dealings. Hearst to Lose in MediaNews Bankruptcy San Francisco Business Hearst stands to lose $317 million in the bankruptcy proceedings involving rival MediaNews, according to industry observer Alan Mutter. Hearst, which owns the San Francisco Chronicle, "improbably put money into its direct competitor in northern California." NY Times Plans Online Metered Model New York Times The New York Times plans to charge frequent readers for access to its Web site, starting in early 2011. "What might work for the Times probably won't work for a regional daily," notes Times media columnist David Carr. He adds: "The first click from Google will always be free." McClatchy Extends Sale of Miami Land Sacramento Business McClatchy says it has received $6 million to extend until January 2011 the deadline on a deal to sell 10 acres of land adjacent to the Miami Herald. Under the extended agreement, McClatchy is entitled to collect $7 million should the buyer fail to close the transaction. Conde Nast Names New Fairchild Boss New York Post Lucky publisher Gina Sanders will succeed Richard Beckman as head of Fairchild Publications. Beckman left the Conde trade division to head e5 Global Media, which recently bought the Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and other business titles from Nielsen Business Media. Nielsen Business Media Chief to Leave Folio Greg Farrar is leaving Nielsen Business Media as president, after more than two decades with the company. Nielsen, which last month sold off Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and other media titles, does not have plans to name a replacement for him. In Touch Eyes Web Pros for New Editor WWD Bauer Publishing's In Touch magazine is interviewing candidates for its top editorial job, with Colleen Curtis from AOL, Rob Shuter of Popeater and Life & Style's Dan Wakeford emerging as the front-runners to succeed Richard Spencer, who resigned earlier this month. Cosmo Asks Senator to Pose Nude Again WWD Cosmopolitan editor in chief Kate White is taking to Twitter to invite Scott Brown, the new Republican senator from Massachusetts, to pose for another centerfold in the Hearst magazine, this time as America's Sexiest Senator. Brown posed naked in the June 1982 issue. Fortune Hires Editor to Revitalize Web Site AllThingsD Fortune magazine is hiring veteran writer Dan Roth to run and revitalize the Time Inc. title's Web site. Roth, a victim of layoffs at Conde Nast's Wired magazine last fall, starts as managing editor next week. The "minimally staffed" Fortune.com may make more hires. Apple Tablet to Reshape TV, Print Media Wall Street Journal With a new tablet device, Apple is said to be aiming to reshape the newspaper and television businesses much the way the iPod revamped the music industry. Apple reportedly has talked with the New York Times, Conde Nast, CBS and ABC over content for the tablet. Amazon's Kindle E-Reader to Add Apps New York Times Amazon will take a page from Apple and announce that it is opening up the Kindle to outside software developers to create apps for the e-readng device. Media companies will be able to sell more profitable Kindle apps, and present news updated throughout the day. New Media Can Help (Some) Old Media Crain's New York E-reader users read more books and magazines and television-watchers will pay more for online content on their TV sets, according to a new media survey from L.E.K. Consulting. As for newspapers, however, "people are finding better information elsewhere." Murdoch to Discuss Future of Journalism GWU News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch will share his perspectives on the future of the media and the "crisis in contemporary journalism" in the next "Kalb Report," to be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The Feb. 9 session will be held before a live audience. Rupert Opponent Argues for 'Right to Link' WebProNews Struan Bartlett, founder of the news aggregator NewsNow, which is being blocked by News Corp.'s British newspapers, is launching a campaign called Right2Link. The effort argues that linking to online content is a basic right that "needs protection." Wall Street Journal Book Explores Its Sale New York Times "War at the Wall Street Journal," a new book by former Journal media writer Sarah Ellison, aims to describe how Rupert Murdoch came to own the crown jewel of American business journalism. "The star of the book is clearly Mr. Murdoch" and his "audacious $5 billion bid." Google News Users Just Read Headlines AFP Nearly half of the users of Google News merely skim headlines without clicking through to news Web sites, says a survey by Outsell. The finding is likely to provide further ammunition to Rupert Murdoch, who criticizes news aggregators for not sharing ad revenue. Forbes In a 'Bind' as a Slimmer Magazine New York Post The slide in advertising pages at Forbes is prompting a change in the way the magazine is bound. Instead of being glued together in a binding method known as perfect bound, the pages will be stapled -- an acknowledgement that the magazine will likely remain slimmer. Cosmo Touts Senator's Nude Centerfold Cosmopolitan The Web site of Cosmopolitan features a prominent link on its home page to a nude centerfold of Scott Brown, the new U.S. Senator-elect from Massachusetts, who posed for the Hearst magazine in 1982 at age 22. "We're thrilled," says Cosmo editor in chief Kate White. Meredith Sees More Publishing in Indonesia Associated Press Meredith is entering a licensing deal with Kompas Gramedia to publish More magazine in Indonesia. The edition of the magazine, aimed at women in their 40s and older, will be written in the local language of Bahasa and available in major Indonesia cities by July. Financial Times Bows Travel Guide Apps Brand Republic The Financial Times is launching iPhone apps for its FT-branded Asian mini-travel guides. The advertiser-funded apps will be free to consumers and comprise travel content from the FT's Little Book of Business Travel covering Bejing, Hong Kong, Macau and Shanghai. Morris Publishing Files for Bankruptcy Atlanta Business Morris Publishing, the Augusta, Ga.-based publisher of the Augusta Chronicle and 12 other daily U.S. newspapers, is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after failing to reach consensus on a debt-swap offer with virtually all of its creditors. McClatchy's Charlotte Observer Cuts 25 Charlotte Observer The Charlotte Observer is cutting 25 jobs across all divisions of the newspaper, including 11 newsroom positions. "Our revenue is still declining because of a difficult local economy," says Ann Caulkins, publisher of the McClatchy title. "Revenue trends are still negative." Huffington: We'll See Fewer Newspapers Inc Newspapers aren't dying, says Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington. "I think there will be fewer of them, but there will always be newspapers. We call HuffPost a newspaper." She adds that her news and opinion Web site now has a valuation of $100 million. Time Inc Buys E-Commerce StyleFeeder Wall Street Journal Time Inc. is acquiring StyleFeeder, an online service that offers personalized shopping recommendations, as the publisher tries to ease a sharp decline in advertising revenue via e-commerce. StyleFeeder is expected to be laced throughout the Web site of InStyle magazine. Hearst's Kaboodle Gets Realtime Makeover TechCrunch Hearst's social shopping site Kaboodle is relaunching to upgrade its product-discovery engine allowing online shoppers to discover, search for, browse and interact with some 6 million products. Kaboodle is becoming "less content centric and more realtime centric." Washington Post Is 'Desperate, in Chaos' New Republic Over the past year, the Washington Post has folded its business section, killed its book review, revamped its Sunday magazine, and redesigned the entire newspaper and Web site. In 2009, advertising revenue dropped by $100 million. It's "a company in chaos," says one staffer. Bay Area News Project to Hire Leaders San Francisco Business The Bay Area News Project, philanthropist Warren Hellman's new nonprofit news entity, is said to be offering the job of editor-in-chief to Jonathan Weber, co-founder of The Industry Standard. The CEO post is being offered to McKinsey & Co. consultant Lisa Frazier. Conde Nast Traveler to Launch in India Thaindian News After launching magazines Vogue and GQ in India, Conde Nast is set to launch Conde Nast Traveler in one of the world's most populous nations in October. Conde Nast says it will "provide advertisers the perfect platform to reach the elusive affluent Indian audience." Forbes CEO: We're All Bloggers Now Forbes "The role of the reporter is changing," muses Steve Forbes, CEO of Forbes and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine. "Everyone seems to be a reporter these days. In essence my grandfather B.C. Forbes, a penniless Scottish immigrant who founded our company, was a blogger." MediaNews Holder to File for Chapter 11 Denver Business The holding company for MediaNews Group, publisher of the Denver Post and 53 other U.S. newspapers, plans to file for bankruptcy. The move is part of a "search for a new model that reflects the realities of today's changing newspaper environment." Village Voice Denies Bankruptcy Report Village Voice An attorney for Village Voice Media is demanding the Bloomberg news service correct its report suggesting that the company could face bankruptcy after losing a $15.9 million judgment for ad-price manipulation. "There is simply no basis." Reader's Digest Set to Exit Bankruptcy Bloomberg Reader's Digest Association, publisher of the world's largest-circulation magazine, will emerge from bankruptcy Jan. 31 after winning court approval of a reorganization plan that will cut its debt by 75%. The plan will "preserve its core businesses as going concerns." In Touch Weekly to Pay Palin for Cover New York Post In Touch Weekly reportedly paid Sarah Palin and her daughter, Bristol, some $100,000 for the magazine's new cover. Palin "pocketed nearly as much as her $125,000-a-year salary as Alaska governor." Reps for the Bauer Publishing magazine and Palin decline comment. National Enquirer Suffers Despite Scoops New York Post The National Enquirer is breaking news stories on Tiger Woods and John Edwards. Nonetheless, the American Media tabloid is facing sliding circulation and ad pages. "There's still this stigma that the content is not true until proven correct by the rest of the media." Playboy Vows to Find Money in Bunny Times of London Playboy CEO Scott Flanders vows to return the company's flagship magazine to profitability and reverse the decision to shrink to 10 issues a year. "The Playboy brand is one of the true iconic brands built in the last 50 years," he says. "It's just been under-monetized." Conde Nast, Hearst See Ads Returning Crain's New York Time Inc., Conde Nast and Hearst expect advertising pages for many of their magazines to be up or at least flat through March. Most promising, advertisers that had been focused primarily on the Web are coming back to print. Plus, new technology "offers the promise of growth." NY Times to Charge for Web Site Access New York, Post The New York Times is said to be close to announcing that it will begin charging for access to its Web site. The newspaper is eyeing a Financial Times-like metered system. Also: Investor Carlos Slim says paid access "will be successful at the end of the day." Journalism's Post-Print Path Is Debated InfoWorld Panelists at a "Journalism after Print" event in Silicon Valley are debating the possibilities in store for the news business. Some reject the notion of pay walls, while others extol tablet devices. Google researcher Krishna Bharat says the industry "could learn a lot from Wikipedia." Journalism Nonprofits: Will They Survive? Associated Press ProPublica and other investigative reporting nonprofits are getting some big scoops. However, foundations are unlikely to be able to support such projects forever, say industry experts. Eventually they will have to shift toward selling advertising or sponsorships. U.S. Army Among Top iPhone News Apps InformationWeek A U.S. Army iPhone app is quickly becoming one of the top free news apps in Apple's AppStore, downloaded 20,000 times since its launch in December. The app lets users access Army news, images from the Army's Flickr stream and back issues of Soldiers Magazine. Murdoch Newspaper Erects Pay Wall BBC News One of the smallest newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. is starting to charging readers for online material. The Standard-Times of New Bedford, Mass., allows readers to view 10 items of content free before prompting them to subscribe. Village Voice Could Face Bankruptcy Bloomberg The Village Voice could face bankruptcy after its owner lost a $15.9 million judgment for ad-price fixing. A Village Voice Media affiliate sued the rival Bay Guardian asking a judge to rule it doesn't have to pay the judgment in a dispute over advertising rates in alt papers. McClatchy Newspaper Cuts Staff by 28 Star-Telegram The Fort Worth Star-Telegram plans to reduce its staff by 28 employees and eliminate 17 open positions. "We still need to reduce our expenses going forward," says Gary Wortel, publisher of the McClatchy newspaper. Editorial will be "minimally affected." Meredith to Eliminate About 45 Jobs Des Moines Register Meredith is laying off about 45 people in its special interest media group, with most positions affected at the company's headquarters in Des Moines. The downturn in the housing marketplace has negatively impacted the special interest sector, typically a cyclical business. Pearson to Sell Financial Data Group Times of London Financial Times owner Pearson is effectively putting its Interactive Data Corporation up for sale. IDC, a financial information provider, has a market value of $2.4 billion and may prove attractive to media groups such as Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters. Hachette to Create Reader Clubs in U.S. Folio Like its U.K. counterpart, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. is eyeing the creation of reader loyalty clubs to help boost its audience and drive revenues. The clubs would provide readers with premium offers such as retail discounts and access to wine clubs. Newsweek: Obama Writes Cover Story Wall Street Journal The Washington Post Co.'s Newsweek is tapping President Obama to pen a cover story on the crisis in Haiti. The issue will hit newsstands Monday, a few days before the first anniversary of the inauguration of Obama, who is getting mixed reviews in the polls. Washington Post Won't Do 'Secret Things' Washington Post Six months after a scandal that tarnished the Washington Post's reputation, the newspaper says that its journalists will not participate in off-the-record, company-sponsored events with newsmakers. "We don't want to be perceived as doing things in secret for money." Editor & Publisher Revived by New Owner Reuters Editor & Publisher, the "bible of the newspaper industry" for more than a century, will live again after being shut down two weeks ago. E&P will resume publication after being sold to boating magazine publisher Duncan McIntosh. Veteran Mark Fitzgerald will be the new editor. Telegraph Exec Sees No Future in Print Guardian Greg Hadfield, head of the London Telegraph's digital group, says newspapers have no future. Hadfield, who announced his resignation from his job during an industry speech, says journalists must be entrepreneurial. "The future is individual journalists, not big media." NY Times to Enter Online Education Inside Higher Ed The New York Times will soon be stamping its name on online-education certificates. This spring, in conjunction with a handful of colleges, the Times will start awarding certificates to students who pay to take its online courses. Online education is a "robust area." Newsday's Web Pay Wall Sprouts Leak Multichannel News Newsday appears to have sprouted a leak in its online pay wall. Visitors with defunct broadband accounts with owner Cablevision are able to log in to read the news for free. Newsday says: "We are aware of the matter and expect it to be resolved in the next 24 hours." Tribune to Exit Bankruptcy, CEO Says Chicago Tribune Tribune CEO Sam Zell says he doesn't know when the company will emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but "it's reasonable to assume that it will come out probably in the first half of this year." He adds: "I'm very optimistic about the future of the company." Morris to File Prepackaged Bankruptcy Florida Times-Union Morris Publishing, which publishes 13 daily newspapers including the Florida Times-Union, says it will file a prepackaged bankruptcy petition, in order to restructure its debt. Morris will be the latest in a string of newspaper companies seeking bankruptcy protection. Time Out Needs Millions to Stay Afloat Evening Standard Time Out owner Tony Elliott must inject nearly $5 million into the magazine group to ensure it remains a "going concern," auditors say. Time Out, which operates magazines and Web sites worldwide, has to seek extra funding because "liabilities exceed its total assets." Conde Nast's GQ to Live Stream Show WWD Burberry will live stream its men's fall runway show on GQ.com for the first time as well as its own Web site on Saturday. Viewers will be able to watch the show in real time and see behind-the-scenes footage. Burberry partnered with Conde Nast sibling Vogue.com last year. Time Inc Staffers Claim Web Labor Win Mediaweek An arbitrator is ordering Time Inc. to honor an agreement that employees covered by the Newspaper Guild of New York shall not be forced to work for the company's Web sites. The Guild had accused People of violating a agreement that Web work be voluntary. Playboy Replaces 40-Year Veteran Editor Crain's Chicago Playboy is naming Matt Doyle as the magazine's new photo editor. He replaces Gary Cole, a veteran journalist who held the job for 40 years. "At some point someone in your life is going to say you've got to go," says Cole, who hopes to continue at Playboy as a consultant. AP, Yahoo Near Deal on Content Use Wall Street Journal The Associated Press and Yahoo are closing in on a deal that would impose tighter restrictions and potentially a higher price tag on AP stories distributed on Yahoo's news site. The AP has been haggling with Google, Microsoft and Yahoo over new distribution terms. Poll: Most Won't Pay for News Online CNET Some 77% of online adults say they won't pay to read newspapers online, according to a new Harris poll. Among those willing to pay, 19% would cough up between $1 and $10 a month. Also, just 43% say they read a newspaper each day, either in print or online. News Corp Blocks Online News Aggregator New Media Age News Corp.'s U.K. newspaper publishing arm is blocking online news aggregator NewsNow from linking to content from the Web sites of the company's Times, The Sun and News of the World. A company spokeswoman says: "We're updating our system." Canwest Attracts Four Potential Bidders Globe and Mail Corus Entertainment, Shaw Communications, Fairfax Financial Holdings, and Jim Pattison Group are considering investing in debt-laden Canadian media company Canwest Global Communications. Canwest filed for bankruptcy protection for parts of the firm in October. Conde Nast's Media 'Mad Dog' Moves On Crain's New York Conde Nast veteran Richard Beckman is being named CEO of startup e5 Global Media, the new owner of The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Adweek and other trade publications. "Richard understands the DNA of media," says e5 Global Media chief Jimmy Finkelstein. The Atlantic Media Group Shuffles Execs New York Post David Bradley, the multi-millionaire owner of The Atlantic Media Group, is shuffling the deck after selling his research business to longtime insider Suzanne Clark. With Clark gone, Justin Smith is being promoted to president. The Atlantic Monthly is said to be still losing money. Variety Up for Sale After All, Sources Say The Wrap Reed Business Information is said to be quietly dangling Variety, the entertainment trade publication, before potential buyers. RBI insisted as recently as July that it would not put its top title on the block. But according to one source: "Everything is for sale." Economist Sells Majority Stake in CFO BtoB Private equity firm Seguin Partners is acquiring CFO Publishing, in partnership with CFO's management, from The Economist Group. The Economist Group will retain a minority stake in the new company. CFO includes online products, conferences and custom publishing. Conde Nast Pays $10,000 for Best Ideas Observer / Post Conde Nast is posting flyers in the lobbies of its buildings notifying employees of a contest that will pay a prize of $10,000 per quarter for "the best idea" to help improve the magazine company. Also: Vogue magazine staffers are being told their private cars and cabs are no more. Gourmet Magazine Survivors Land at AOL New York Post AOL is hiring about a dozen Gourmet editors who lost their jobs when the magazine shut down in November. They will develop content for a new AOL food site launching next month. Cheryl Brown, a longtime Gourmet editor, will be editor of the yet-to-be-named site. Magazine Ad Sales Drop Widened in 2009 Bloomberg U.S. magazine publishers posted an 18% decline in advertising revenue last year, more than twice as steep as a year earlier, according to Publishers Information Bureau. Mort Zuckerman's U.S. News & World Report posted the steepest decline, with an 88% plunge. Conde Nast Rainmaker Beckman Eyes Exit New York Post Richard "Mad Dog" Beckman is in serious talks to leave his longtime job as CEO of the Fairchild Fashion group to become CEO of e5 Global Media, the newly formed trade publisher that recently acquired The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and Adweek. Hearst's Good Housekeeping Gets Bigger min Good Housekeeping is kicking off a year-long celebration of 125 years in print, including an increase in the size of the magazine's print edition. Publisher Hearst claims Good Housekeeping still reaches 25 million readers, or one out of every five moms, in the United States. Atlantic Reports Boost in Digital Revenue BtoB The Atlantic, which is pursuing an aggressive online strategy featuring bloggers such as Andrew Sullivan, is reporting that its digital revenue for the fourth quarter jumped 275% from a year earlier. The Atlantic says it signed more than 50 new digital advertisers in 2009. Oprah to Celebrate 10th Year of Magazine People For Oprah Winfrey fans, it's a "gold ticket" of a lifetime: a sweepstakes for a weekend extravaganza in New York City to commemorate the 10th anniversary of O, The Oprah Magazine. Special events include an evening with Winfrey herself at Radio City Music Hall. Finke's Deadline Eyes Global Expansion WWD Nikki Finke, the entertainment business reporter behind Deadline, says she plans to launch sites in Asia, Australia and even Mumbai, India, to broaden her blog's coverage of the film industry. "We're not a newspaper, we're not a trade. We are what we are," she says. Texas Tribune Names AOL Vet as Publisher Austin Business Former AOL and Examiner.com exec Michael Sherro is joining Texas Tribune, the Evan Smith-led local online news nonprofit. Sherro, an existing Texas Tribune board member, will be the organization's first publisher. He will fill the role at least until the end of the year. NY Times Director Cohen to Step Aside Dow Jones New York Times Co. says Daniel Cohen, a member of newspaper publisher's Ochs-Sulzberger family, won't seek re-election to the company's board. Cohen, a cousin of Chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr., is expected to continue serving as a director until April. Canwest Seeks Buyers for Newspapers Canoe.ca Canwest, Canada's biggest media group, says its newspaper publishing business has filed for bankruptcy protection and is looking for buyers for titles including the Vancouver Sun, Calgary Herald and Ottawa Citizen. "It's certainly a buyer's market right now," analysts say. Conde Nast, Meredith Join Push for Print Mediaweek Conde Nast and Meredith are said to be joining Time Inc. and Hearst in a marketing campaign promoting the beleaguered print medium. Wenner Media chief Jann Wenner is heading up the effort. The companies will commit magazine pages to the campaign. Hearst: Skiff E-Reader to Have Ads, Videos Bloomberg Skiff, the Hearst-backed electronic-book startup, aims to take on Amazon's Kindle by introducing devices with color screens and video services that could be used in textbooks. Skiff also is working with newspapers and magazines to introduce advertising within stories. Newspapers Lead in Providing Reporting New York Times The majority of actual reporting still comes from newspapers, although there are more places to go for local news, according to a study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism. Newspaper stories "tend to set the narrative agenda for most other media outlets." NY Times Outsources Blog to Students New York Times The New York Times is turning over day-to-day control of The Local, a blog covering parts of Brooklyn, to the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism, in what could be a model for expanding hyper-local coverage to many communities at minimal cost. Time Inc Seeks Help from Mobile Barcodes Mediaweek Sports Illustrated is using mobile barcodes to promote its swimsuit issue. The barcodes will appear on hotel room keys, in subway car ads and other locations. Users who snap a photo of the barcode with a camera phone will see photos from this year's swimsuit issue. Hollywood, Tech Blogs Hiring Journalists DHD, GigaOM Nikki Finke's Deadline.com is going bicoastal, hiring Mike Fleming, a 20-year veteran of Variety, as editor of its new New York edition, going live later this month. Also: GigaOM is hiring Mathew Ingram, a media writer/editor for the Globe and Mail in Canada, as its newest writer. Capell's Circulation Report Stops Publishing Audience Development Dan Capell's long-running newsletter, Capell's Circulation Report, will be taken over by John Harrington, who publishes The New Single Copy. Capell launched CCR in 1982. The newsletter was notable for its in-depth surveys and analysis of magazine circulation trends. Tucker Carlson Launches Political Web Site Washington Post Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson launches his new Web site, The Daily Caller, on Monday. The site's $3 million in funding comes from financier Foster Friess, a big-time Republican party donor. "We're not enforcing any kind of ideological orthodoxy on anyone," Carlson says. Newsmax Defies Media Trend on the Web Financial Times Newsmax is emerging as one of the strongest conservative voices online, where it claims to be beating the Drudge Report's audience numbers. Newsmax, a favorite of Sarah Palin, uses its free Web site to promote both the print magazine and for-pay newsletters. Forbes to Sell Headquarters Building New York Times Forbes plans to announce the sale of its building on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to New York University, as the company struggles to come to grips with a decline in advertising. Forbes will continue to occupy the building under a five-year lease back arrangement. LA Times Bumps News to Print WSJ TheWrap The Los Angeles Times is closing a printing plant, resulting in 80 people losing jobs and late-breaking news relegated to a back section. The move comes as the Tribune newspaper sells the late-night print run to News Corp. to print the Wall Street Journal's west coast edition. Conde Nast Axes Boob-Job Employee New York Post Conde Nast is said to have fired a female employee at Brides magazine for unbuttoning her blouse in the office to display the results of her new breast-augmentation surgery to two co-workers. The unidentified staffer "showed someone her sports bra-covered breasts." Hachette Offers Reader Loyalty Clubs Press Gazette Hachette plans to introduce a series of free reader loyalty clubs to its U.K. women's magazines. The clubs, which will be accessible only to subscribers of titles such as Elle, aim to reward readers with offers, including film screenings, discounts and shopping events. E-Readers May Face Risk of Saturation Financial Times A sudden deluge of e-reading devices will make it difficult for the new hopefuls to stand out from the crowd, say industry experts. The newcomers are fighting over a very narrow niche. Plus, the forthcoming Apple tablet could leave single-purpose e-readers "on the scrap heap." Star Tribune Aims to Seek New Model Minneapolis Star Tribune The Minneapolis Star Tribune is naming former Time Inc. exec Michael Klingensmith as its new publisher. "There's nothing more important in the business right now than reformulating the business model," he says. "I think this is really an important job." Journal Register CEO to Harness Blogs Oakland Press Journal Register, publisher of the New Haven Register and other newspapers, is naming impreMedia chief John Paton as its new CEO. Paton says he wants the company's journalists to harness blogs, online video and mobile to help "create a modern news company." Conde Nast Teams With Shopping Sites WWD Conde Nast fashion titles Vogue and Lucky are launching partnerships with e-commerce shopping sites. Net-a-porter's outlet site, theOutnet.com, is introducing a series of flash sales with Lucky, while Vogue is offering ready-to-wear looks for under $500 on Gilt Groupe. Washington Times Moving Out of HQ US News The struggling Washington Times is giving up its headquarters building on New York Avenue in Washington, D.C. Management says the plan is to leave by spring. It hasn't decided where to go. The Sun Myung Moon-owned newspaper slashed its editorial staff last month. AP Names Manager for Social Networks Associated Press The Associated Press is promoting online czar Lauren McCullough to manager of social networks and news engagement at the new AP Nerve Center. McCullough will head the Social Network Center, one of four components of the new center in New York. Reed Business Shuts Down Three Titles Video Business Reed Business Information is shuttering Video Business, a publication serving the home entertainment industry. The move is part of a larger strategy by Reed to divest itself of most of its U.S. business-to-business publications. Reed also is closing two other titles. Breitbart Launches Big Journalism Site LA Observed Andrew Breitbart, a former editor for the Drudge Report, is launching his latest Web site. Big Journalism, like Big Hollywood and his others, is all about the right prevailing over the left. The new site "is staking the claim that media is now at war with one another." Tucker Carlson Preps HuffPost Rival Washington Independent Tucker Carlson is launching The Daily Caller, a conservative-leaning news site, on Jan. 11. The venture was announced last May. Carlson, a Fox News contributor and former host of CNN's "Crossfire," has said the site will take on the form of a general interest newspaper. Hyperlocal Sites Become M&A Targets The Deal Web sites that deliver content at the "hyperlocal" level are becoming sought-after targets by media and tech companies. One of the most competitive early-stage fundings last year was that of FourSquare, which allows people to share their whereabouts via their mobile phones. LA Times Enters Local News Web Venture Los Angeles Times The Los Angeles Times Media Group and U.S. Local News Network are forming a joint venture that will include launching two news Web sites serving Orange County. The companies will share content and advertising sales across the sites theocnow.com and oclnn.com. Twitter: News Publishers Eye Paid Tweets Advertising Age Paid-tweet startup Ad.ly is pitching its services to several major news publishers. The New York Times isn't ready to try paid tweets, despite nearly 2.3 million followers for its main Twitter feed. The newspaper says it is "taking a bit of a wait and see approach." Reed Elsevier in Talks to Sell Magazines Reuters Reed Elsevier is in advanced talks to sell some of its money-losing trade magazines and will close other titles during the first half of 2010, according to an internal memo. Reed Business Information expects to announce the sale of various titles in the next few months. Time Inc Exec to Reemerge at Newspaper New York Post Michael Klingensmith, one-time exec VP at Time Inc., and the launch publisher of Entertainment Weekly, is said to be a candidate to become the new publisher of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Klingensmith is said to have resigned from the advisory firm AdMedia Partners. Bauer: In Touch Editor Makes Abrupt Exit New York Post Richard Spencer, editor in chief of Bauer Publishing celebrity magazine In Touch, abruptly left his job on Monday. In what is viewed as a demonstration of his pique, Spencer left mid-afternoon, as the magazine scrambled to close the issue that goes to print this week. Conde Nast CEO to Give 'Rah-Rah Speech' New York Observer January is typically when chief Si Newhouse returns from his holiday vacation to make major company changes. (Domino magazine was folded last January.) But this year CEO Chuck Townsend is delivering a "rah-rah speech" to all staffers. Also: Conde mulls licensing its brands. Huffington Post's Arianna Injured at Work WWD Huffington Post boss Arianna Huffington says she had a wake-up call about sleep deprivation while at work. She fainted from exhaustion and hit her head on her desk, requiring stitches. The incident helped inspire a pro-sleep campaign, running on HuffPost and Glamour.com. NYT for Sale? Enter Media Forecast Contest USA Today Will the New York Times or TiVo have a deal to be bought by Dec. 1? Will NBC's most important late-night show will be hosted by Conan O'Brien -- or Tiger Woods? Show your forecasting prowess in USA Today's 14th annual Media Prognostication Contest. Hearst's Skiff E-Reader Coming Soon San Francisco Chronicle Hearst subsidiary Skiff is taking the wraps off the Skiff Reader, a next generation e-reader that boasts an advanced e-paper screen measuring 11.5 inches -- bigger than the 9.7 inch Kindle DX. The device, due out later this year, vows to make print media "come alive." Dow Jones Combines WSJ, News Wires Associated Press Dow Jones & Co. is dismantling the divisions separating the Wall Street Journal from Dow Jones Newswires and other services aimed at a narrower business audience. The overhaul aims to enable Dow Jones to identify customer needs more quickly. No layoffs are expected. Bloomberg Could Buy FT, Broker Says Guardian Could publishing group Pearson sell the FT Group to Bloomberg? That is the theory being suggested by analysts at Execution. The broker says such a move would seem to fit Bloomberg's strategy and would give Pearson firepower for further expansion. Thomson Reuters Buys Discovery Logic Associated Press Thomson Reuters is acquiring Discovery Logic, a company that makes software for collecting and mining data. Discovery Logic, based in Rockville, Md., makes the ScienceWire line of software products, which uses computer algorithms to search information stored in databases. Chicago Tribune Bumps Up Price to $1 Crain's Chicago The news is about to get more expensive for readers of the Chicago Tribune, as the newsstand price goes to $1 on Jan. 18. The 25-cent increase, which makes the Tribune one of the more expensive U.S. dailies, will make the paper "priced according to its marketplace value." USA Today Revamps Site for Social Media News & Tech USA Today is retooling its Web site with features aimed at improving navigation and encouraging social interaction. Among the new features are modules that highlight the day's major stories. The home page also houses areas for social media such as blogs and daily polls. Cablevision to Make Cuts at Newsday New York Post Newsday workers are fuming at a proposal by owner Cablevision to slash their pay by an average of 10%, lop off a week's vacation and impose a longer work week. The cuts are part of an effort by Cablevision to wring $8 million in savings out of the Long Island daily. Editor & Publisher Still Hopeful for a Buyer BtoB Editor & Publisher officially shut down Dec. 31; but on New Year’s Day, the editors of the former Nielsen Business Media magazine for the newspaper industry launched a blog called E&P in Exile. "There appears to be a fairly good chance that E&P will resume." Conde Nast Digs Up Dirt on Tiger Woods MSNBC A bare-chested, iron-pumping Tiger Woods appears on the cover of the February issue of Vanity Fair, in a "raw, never-before-seen photo" from 2006 taken by Annie Liebovitz. The issue also dusts off a controversial 1997 interview with Woods from Conde Nast sibling GQ. Huffington Post Hires Yahoo Sales Vets AllThingsD The Huffington Post is beefing up its advertising sales staff, hiring many former sales execs from Yahoo. The site was on track to do business in the $10 million range last year, but CEO Eric Hippeau wants to goose that number to $100 million in the next few years. Washington Post to Enhance Online Appeal Washington Post The Washington Post plans to launch microsite focusing on local high-school sports. Students and parents will be able to post photos and video of games. "With the Post's survival at stake, the online focus is critical," says newspaper ombudsman Andrew Alexander. Washington Times Lays Off Editor, Staffers Washington Post The Washington Times is slashing its 170-member newsroom staff, with top editor David Jones among the casualties. The Sports and Metro sections will cease to exist as stand-alone entities. The Rev. Sun Myung Moon-owned newspaper says it will continue to develop its Web site. FT Content Revenues to Overtake Print Ads Guardian Cover price rises, a growing online subscriber base and corporate clients will help the Financial Times's content revenues overtake print advertising revenues for the first time this year. FT Group CEO John Ridding says the landmark moment vindicates the FT's strategy to charge. New York Post, Daily News Talks Fall Apart New York Discussions of possible cost-saving collaborations between rival New York City tabloids the Post and the Daily News collapsed several months ago. "The cultures were too incompatible, with too much bad history" between owners Rupert Murdoch and Mort Zuckerman. TV Guide Said to Mull Leaving New York New York Post Publishers are said to be scrambling to cut real estate costs for 2010. One rumor circulating is that the slumping TV Guide, which has been hit by multiple layoffs, will leave New York City entirely. Insiders confirm the magazine is looking for new space, but don't say where. Conde Nast to Launch Fashion Trade Pub Mediaweek After closing several magazines, Conde Nast is starting a new one. Richard Beckman's Fairchild Fashion Group, the company's fashion B2B unit, is said to be working on a trade magazine for the men's fashion market. The new publication is expected to launch in June. Hearst Buys Historic Calif General Store San Luis Obispo Tribune Hearst is acquiring Sebastian's General Store, a 136-year-old shop in San Simeon, Calif., near 80,000 acres of land owned by the media company. Hearst could build a hotel nearby, according to terms of a 2005 plan. But Hearst says the purchase "doesn't send any messages." Daily Beast: Old Media Hopes It Succeeds Los Angeles Times If Tina Brown's online newsmagazine The Daily Beast succeeds, it will be good news for all beleaguered old-media types. Even people who used to love to hate Brown are rooting for her success. The 15-month old site is still "a work in progress," says backer Barry Diller. Huffington Post's Twitter Feed Mimicked Associated Press The Huffington Post says the left-leaning news and opinion site was not hacked when a Twitter feed emerged using its name and began issuing insults with a conservative bent. The feed, which was set up to appear as though it was operated by HuffPost, has been suspended. Conde Nast: Our Magazines Were Hacked WWD An unauthorized Web user gained access to Conde Nast's networks and copied more than 1,100 files, the publisher says. The hacker copied cover images and pages from the December issues of GQ, Vogue, Teen Vogue and Lucky. Some of the content later ended up on blogs. Hearst, Conde Nast Do Men's Mag Apps AllThingsD Conde Nast is putting a second edition of its GQ magazine up for sale on Apple's iTunes Store. The January issue is available for $2.99. Meanwhile, Hearst is rolling out its first iTunes issue/app for Esquire, its aspirational dude-centric title, also for $2.99. Reader's Digest Parent to Change Name New York Times The "dowdy" Reader's Digest Association, owned by investor group Ripplewood Holdings, plans to transform itself into a soon-to-be-renamed "multibrand media company," with Web sites like AllRecipes.com and magazines like Every Day With Rachael Ray. Tribune: Zell to Face Employee Lawsuit Bloomberg Sam Zell, the real estate investor who took Tribune private in an $8.3 billion stock buyback two years ago, must face an employee lawsuit claiming he violated federal pension laws. As many as 10,000 workers may have lost money as a result of a shareholder buyout. NY Times: Editing Staff Done for Now New York Post Bill Keller, executive editor of the New York Times, says he has reached the goal of reducing the Gray Lady's newsroom head count by 100 people. There is "no 'next round' on the agenda." Keller adds, however, that there is "no guarantee" of what the future holds. Economist Seeks Social Network Boost Financial Times Readers of The Economist's Web site will soon be able to log in and make comments using their Facebook identity. The Economist also will be "a lot more active" on Twitter, which will be a "full-time job." That shows "the importance we place on it as a source of traffic." Brown: Rupert's Right About Pay Walls Journalism.co.uk Daily Beast founder Tina Brown and former U.K. Sunday Times editor Harold Evans say they are optimistic about the future of pay walls. "I never understood that theory" of free online newspapers, says Brown. "They opened the door, gave away their content." Fuller: Web Magazines Are the Future Globe and Mail Bonnie Fuller, publisher of Hollywood Life, says the digital world represents "the future and my future." Her newly launched online celebrity magazine is destined to grow, she adds. "And I personally wouldn't want to be taking three months to put a [magazine] out now.” News Corp in Tie Up With Sony E-Reader Wall Street Journal Sony's e-reading device will offer subscriptions to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and MarketWatch, in the latest move by publishers to loosen Amazon's hold on the embryonic e-reader market. The Wall Street Journal summary will cost $5 a month. Ex-Newspaper Union Head Faces Charges New York Post Wayne Mitchell, the former head of the Communication Workers of America, is being charged with embezzling more than $200,000. The union represents mailroom employees of the New York Times, the New York Post and the New York Daily News, among others. HuffPost 'Not Immune' to Media Woes Los Angeles Times The Huffington Post expects to become profitable "within months." But the site must compete in the same "topsy-turvy advertising market" as newspapers. Ad experts say HuffPost still gets treated like a poor relation due to its "shaggy and uneven offerings." Craigslist Slings Mud in Trial, eBay Says Dow Jones EBay says it has proven its case against Craigslist, saying the online classified-ads site made claims it couldn't prove during a two-week trial about their relationship. Craigslist "attempted to divert attention from [its] unlawful actions by slinging mud." WSJ, MySpace Hold Citizen Journo Contest TechCrunch Once again, MySpace is partnering with News Corp. sibling the Wall Street Journal to send one MySpace user to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January. The contest will let one lucky winner, who is chosen by a panel of correspondents, join the Davos press corps. Hearst Hints of Launch of New Web Vertical WWD With 26 Web sites and counting, Hearst Magazines Digital Media will launch a new vertical late next year that "is not one you'd expect from us," says Chuck Cordray, senior VP and general manager. The URL has been purchased but he declines to provide more information. Fiscal Times Digital News Title to Launch Washington Business The Fiscal Times, a new digital news publication, plans to launch in early 2010. The title will cover fiscal, budgetary, health care and international economic issues. The Fiscal Times is funded by Blackstone chief Peter Peterson and edited by Reader's Digest veteran Jackie Leo. The Week Sees Growth in Print, Online MinOnline The Week magazine, Felix Dennis's print news aggregator, says it is the only newsweekly seeing growth in advertising this year. In addition, TheWeek.com is registering substantial growth, from 133,000 uniques at the start of the year to 520,000 by November. Wallpaper Issue Offers 'Augmented Reality' Brand Republic Wallpaper magazine's "Next Generation" issue in January comes with an augmented reality cover for a special feature on AR technology. The cover of the design and fashion magazine "springs into life" with a 3D image when readers hold it in front of a webcam. Washington Post to Sell Budget Life Magazine Washington Business The Washington Post Co.'s Newsweek division is selling its Budget Travel magazine to Fletcher Asset Management. The investment-management group says it intends to keep "essentially all" employees. Budget Travel was founded by travel icon Arthur Frommer. Blogger Bests Variety, Hollywood Reporter Deadline Nikki Finke's Deadline is issuing a press release claiming it now has a larger readership than Variety and The Hollywood Reporter combined. "November's comScore numbers prove it," says Jay Penske, owner of the four year-old site. It is an "incredible achievement." NY Times Lays Off 18 Workers in Cutbacks Associated Press The New York Times is laying off at least 18 newsroom employees in the latest round of cutbacks driven by the newspaper's financial woes. The Times says the newspaper still expects to reach its goal of 100 newsroom job cuts by the end of the year. Journalists' Deaths Hit Record 68 in 2009 Reuters The number of journalists killed around the world in 2009 rose to a record 68 after a massacre in the Philippines, says the Committee to Protect Journalists. The press group says the 2009 tally compared to 42 deaths in 2008 and surpassed the previous record of 67 deaths in 2007. Google Adds Media Partners to Fast Flip AFP Google is adding another 24 media partners to its online news reader Fast Flip, including the Tribune and McClatchy newspaper groups, the Huffington Post and Politico. The new outlets bring to about 90 the number of titles available from 50 media outlets available on Fast Flip. Playboy Hires CFO Amid Talk of Sale Dow Jones Playboy Enterprises is naming Robert Campbell as interim CFO as its shares trade down 10% on a report that Iconix, a potential buyer of the company, has withdrawn from negotiations. Campbell is currently treasurer and head of strategic planning. Magazine Trade Group Cutting Jobs Folio The Magazine Publishers of America, the magazine publishing trade organization, is cutting five positions, due to "continuing soft economic conditions." Departments that are being affected include membership, events, research and back office functions. Rodale Makes Management Changes Daily Finance A recent spate of executive turnover at Rodale is culminating in a round of promotions and organizational-chart redrawing. Among the many moves, Gregg Michaelson is being promoted to chief marketing officer and president of integrated marketing and sales. Bonnier Develops Tablet for Magazines AllThingsD Swedish media outfit Bonnier Group, the publisher of magazines like Field & Stream and Popular Science, is developing its own tablet device. The emphasis is on "moving the entire print magazine to the tablet, then adjusting layouts, photos and other elements." Examiner.com Names Permanent CEO Denver Business Rick Blair, who has been interim CEO of Philip Anschutz's online businesses Clarity Digital Group and Examiner.com, is being named to the job permanently. Examiner.com is a network of locally focused Web pages, offering blog-like content from "examiners." NY Post to Launch Web Video Profiles MediaPost The New York Post is partnering with Web video producer Revel to launch a new section on the newspaper's site with short videos spotlighting art, culture and various New York personalities. The series will profile artists, chefs, musicians and other New Yorkers. Wall St Journal Signs With Talent Agency Deadline The Wall Street Journal is said to be leaving its longtime reps at Creative Artists Agency to join rival United Talent Agency. UTA will sell film and television rights to published articles in the Wall Street Journal, which recently regained its position as the largest U.S. newspaper. Playboy: Suitor Ends Acquisition Talks Bloomberg Iconix Brand Group is said to be breaking off talks to buy Playboy Enterprises after determining it would be too complicated to separate the Playboy brand from the company's other assets. Iconix, the owner of London Fog, had wanted to divest some Playboy units. Hearst Top Magazine Exec Exits Abruptly Guardian Jessica Burley, managing director of Hearst's London publishing subsidiary, the National Magazine Company, is leaving, eight months after the publisher hired a new CEO. Burley is not announcing her future plans. It is uncertain whether her position will be replaced. Reader's Digest to Publish Blog by Sting UPI British rock star Sting is entering the blogosphere for the first time, penning a holiday-themed blog about giving on ReadersDigest.com. The blog will be translated for the magazine's global Web sites, including Reader's Digest in Poland, Singapore, Germany, India, and Canada. Conde Nast Gives Makeover to Tech Site Ars Technica Conde Nast is unveiling a redesign of its tech site Ars Technica. The site's new Et Cetera section will link to third-party sites. But it is not "news aggregation," editors insist. "We're only going to link to things that we think are really important or interesting." Golf Digest: We Won't Drop Tiger Woods New York Post Conde Nast's Golf Digest says it will not drop Tiger Woods as its "playing editor," despite the sex scandal that has caused him to take an indefinite leave from professional golf. Woods's exclusive contract with Golf Digest is said to be worth up to $3 million a year. I.D. Mag Cites Free Content for Demise Core77 After 55 years in print, F+W Media's design title I.D. Magazine will cease publication following the January/February issue. Factors contributing to the magazine's demise include the advertising downturn, as well as "the plethora of information, some for free." New Republic Cuts Expenses, Employees Politico The New Republic is said to be laying off about a half-dozen employees as the company tries to lower its expenses for the coming year. Long-time owner Marty Peretz, who sold his stake in 2007, bought back the magazine last March with a group of investors. Magazines Aim to Be Ready for Tablets New York Times A new breed of electronic devices is expected in the months and years ahead, and magazine publishers are already creating apps and planning to charge for their content. Publishers had "let the Web get ahead of them." The plan now is to "get ahead" of the tablets. Washington Post Buys Internet Jobs Site Washington Business Avenue100, a digital marketing firm owned by the Washington Post Co., is buying GetTheJob.com. The career site matches job listings from corporate job sites with advertisers paying to get openings for their businesses at the top of the search results. Wall St Journal Launches Japanese Site AFP The Wall Street Journal is launching a Japanese-language version of its Web site featuring translations from the newspaper and other Dow Jones publications. Japan.WSJ.com is operated by a joint venture between Dow Jones and SBI Holdings of Japan. FT.com to Add Premium Subscriptions Marketing Week The Financial Times plans to enhance its offering for FT.com premium subscribers with three new services. Premium subscribers will get an exclusive editors newsletter, a weekly "FT Newsmine" email service and full access to the electronic edition of the newspaper. Miami Herald Seeking Donations Online Associated Press McClatchy's Miami Herald is asking readers of its Web site to voluntarily pay for the privilege. A link at the bottom of online stories directed readers to a separate page that accepts credit card information. A short message thanks them and asks readers to support the content. TweenTribune Site Pins Hopes on Tweens Los Angeles Times TweenTribune.com, a Web site created by veteran newspaper-design consultant Alan Jacobson, publishes news for pre-adolescents. A handful of newspapers are signing on as partners, posting TweenTribune content on their own Web sites and selling advertising. Scribd Inks 'For Dummies’ Deal With Wiley San Francisco Business Online publisher Scribd is teaming up with John Wiley & Sons to bring the well-known "For Dummies" series to Scribd's Web site. Scribd, which lets writers upload and share all sorts of written works, also has a store to sell books from Wiley and other publishers. Time Names Bernanke Person of the Year CNN Time magazine is announcing U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke as its 2009 Person of the Year. Bernanke will be featured on the cover of the magazine that hits stores Friday. Time calls him "the most powerful nerd on the planet" who aims to "save the world economy." Murdoch Visiting Newsstands Incognito Observer News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch is visiting newspaper retailers incognito to gauge the concerns of the people who sell his papers. A company spokesperson confirms that the media mogul is visiting several outlets. "He just wants to know what is happening on the ground." WSJ, NYT Editors in Spat Over Column New York Observer Wall Street Journal top editor Robert Thomson is issuing a statement in response to David Carr's New York Times column about the Journal's new "conservative tone." The column is "evidence that the Times is uncomfortable about the rise of a successful rival." WSJ's Deogun Leaves to Oversee CNBC New York Post Nik Deogun, the Wall Street Journal's deputy managing editor and international editor, is leaving the newspaper to become general manager of CNBC, ending a 15-year run at the Journal. CNBC current m.e., Tyler Mathiesen, will become a co-anchor on CNBC's "Power Lunch." Time Plugs Person of the Year on NBC Today Time magazine top editor Richard Stengel will announce the identity of the newsweekly's 2009 Person of the Year Wednesday on NBC's "Today" show. I Want Media's 2009 Media Persons of the Year, "Twitter Guys," are not on the shortlist of Time magazine's POY honor. Editor & Publisher to See Another Issue Editor & Publisher Due to overwhelming reader and advertiser demand, Editor & Publisher will publish its next issue, January 2010, as planned. But it may still be the final issue, after 125 years. Meanwhile, a number of outside companies are expressing interest in keeping E&P going. Newspapers Beat Out Web for Coupons ClickZ Despite the decline in the newspaper industry, consumers still turn to Sunday circulars as their primary source of coupons, according to a study from research firm Borrell Associates. Newspaper coupons "are mostly for grocery shopping," and that is yet to move online. NY Daily News Eyes Color for Revival Crain's New York The New York Daily News's new $200 million high-speed presses allow the newspaper to print every page in color. Owner Mort Zuckerman plans to give the daily tabloid the modern look of European papers, whose eye-popping color photos rival those in luxury magazines. NY Post Hires Call Girl as Columnist New York Post Ashley Dupre, the former escort who helped bring down N.Y. Gov. Eliot Spitzer, will share "what she's learned" in her new advice column in Rupert Murdoch's New York Post. Dupre will provide "no-nonsense advice" in her column, running Sundays in the "Meet Market" section. Newsday Replaces Editor with Digital Pro New York Post John Mancini is out as editor-in-chief of Newsday, after 20 years at the newspaper. Managing editor Debby Krenek is being elevated to the top spot by owner Cablevision. Krenek is expected to speed the integration of the newspaper with Cablevision's News 12. Sun Times Media Names Advisor as CFO Associated Press Sun-Times Media, the owner of the Chicago Sun-Times, is naming Brian Linscott as CFO. Linscott, a managing director with Huron Consulting Group, was a Sun-Times bankruptcy restructuring adviser and helped the company complete its October sale to an investor group. Reader's Digest Drops Publisher in Redo MinOnline Publisher Tracey Altman is the latest casualty in the restructuring at Reader's Digest Association. "I was laid off," she says. Altman's boss, RDA Community president Eva Dillon, will assume her duties. The company is scheduled to emerge from Chapter 11 on Jan. 15. Martha Stewart Finally Finds an Editor Folio Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is promoting Martha Stewart Weddings top editor Vanessa Holden to editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living. The MSL editor position was vacated in January when Michael Boodro left the company as part of a restructuring. NY Mag's Owner Opens Web Ad Agency Crain's New York New York magazine owner New York Media is teaming up with search engine marketer Clickable to sell advertising aimed at people who use search engines to find products based on keywords and geographic locations. The venture will target small businesses. TV Guide Ex-Editor Lands at Hearst Guardian Hearst's magazine publishing subsidiary in London is appointing Ian Birch as editorial development and special projects director. Birch recently was chief content officer at TV Guide, where he oversaw the 2005 transition of the title from digest to full-size magazine. Conde Nast, Hearst Hike Cover Prices Mediaweek Conde Nast is raising cover prices on The New Yorker, Golf Digest and Teen Vogue in 2010. Hearst is lifting the cover price of Good Housekeeping, Esquire and Veranda. "It's probably a worthwhile test," say advertising buyers. "It plays into wantedness." Magazines: 367 Titles Shuttered in 2009 Crain's New York Some 367 U.S periodicals shut down in 2009 and 64 went online-only, says MediaFinder.com. The pace of decline appears to have slowed. In 2008, 526 magazines ceased publication. In 2007, 573 shut down. Still, "this is not a propitious time to launch a magazine." Murdoch Son Doubts Future of Magazines Financial Times Lachlan Murdoch, who recently invested in an Australian radio network, is believed to have pulled out at the last minute from the investor group acquiring the bulk of Nielsen Business Media because radio is not facing the same growing online threat as magazines. Nielsen's Media Titles Plan Web Pay Walls Mediaweek Execs with e5 Global Media, the buyers of Nielsen's Hollywood Reporter and other media titles, say they plan to invest heavily in the print brands and introduce paid content to their Web sites. "As long as we're producing high-value information, we've got a real future." E&P Becomes Trending Topic on Twitter Editor & Publisher The announcement of the shutdown of Editor & Publisher is triggering an outpouring of support for the newspaper industry bible online. E&P even became "trending topic" on Twitter, helping to raise hopes that the publication might yet continue in some form. Advertising Age Names Klaassen Editor Advertising Age Advertising Age is naming digital editor Abbey Klaassen as its new executive editor, in charge of all editorial operations for the brand. She replaces Jonah Bloom, who is leaving Ad Age to become CEO and editor in chief of the B2B blog network Breaking Media. Drudge Ally Preps 'Big Journalism' Site Mediaite Andrew Breitbart plans to launch a Web site called Big Journalism, targeting "the Democratic-media complex." Says Breitbart: "If these traditional media outlets can't be shamed into telling the truth, then it puts us in a position to do more than Web aggregation." Craigslist Execs Accused of 'Extortion' NBC Bay Area Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and CEO Jim Buckmaster are said to have demanded eBay pay them $16 million, the amount the online auctioneer paid for the shares of former site investor Phillip Knowlton, or they would refuse to let a deal for a stake to go through. Playboy iPhone App Is for Articles Only Wired Playboy is releasing its official app for the Apple iPhone, charging $2. Apple prohibits nudity from appearing in apps, which means users will get access to Playboy interviews and feature stories -- no naked bodies. "The pictures are all non-nude or cropped." Tribune Names Chief Operating Officer Chicago Tribune Tribune continues to reshuffle top management with the announcement that Gerry Spector will become COO. Spector will oversee Tribune's publishing, broadcast and Internet operations, taking over from Randy Michaels, who replaced Sam Zell as CEO. NY Times Plans to Cut Two Dozen Jobs New York Post Thanks to a last-minute surge of buyout volunteers before the Dec. 7 deadline, fewer employees at the New York Times will have to be fired than was feared. As many as 26 involuntary reductions in staff are now possible, according to the Newspaper Guild Nielsen Business Media Titles Are Sold New York Post Lachlan Murdoch is dropping out of an investment group looking to buy The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and other titles from Nielsen Business Media and is being replaced by a team that includes former Bear Stearns boss Alan Schwartz. The $70 million deal "is done." E&P, Kirkus Reviews to Cease Publishing Mediaweek Nielsen will cease publishing Editor & Publisher and Kirkus Reviews, as the company sells media business trades The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and others. Nielsen says in a statement that it will "continue to assess the strategic fit of other publications." Variety Restores Pay Walls to Web Site Variety The Web site of Hollywood trade Variety will start charging readers for content, restoring a paywall it had previously taken down. After clicking on two pages of content at Variety.com, one in 10 randomly selected visitors will be prompted to register for further access. Bloomberg Buys UK Energy Data Group Financial Times Bloomberg is acquiring New Energy Finance in a bet on the growth of carbon markets and clean energy investment. New Energy Finance employs 130 people and provides news, information and analysis on clean energy topics from renewables to carbon capture. Gannett Signals More Job Cuts in 2010 Washington Business Gannett execs sound cautiously optimistic in presenting the company's outlook for 2010 -- an outlook that also indicates job cuts. The broadcast division head count "will be down slightly" in 2010. Its digital division will see a head count down in "low-single digits." Ex-Washington Times Editor Sues Paper Associated Press Richard Miniter, the former opinion editor of the Washington Times, is filing a lawsuit against the newspaper over his claims that execs there pressured him to attend a Unification Church event, among other charges. Owner Rev. Sun Myung Moon is named as a defendant. EBay Used Confidential Craigslist Data Bloomberg An eBay lawyer says confidential information the online-auction company gleaned from its minority ownership of Craigslist was used to help start up Kijiji, a competing classified-advertising site. The data was used "to benefit our business to the extent it was in compliance." Tiger Woods a Boon to Web Publications Associated Press The Tiger Woods scandal is a boon for online publications. Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz says the Woods story is "better than Michael Jackson dying" for helping Yahoo make money, because it is easier to sell advertisements against salacious content than morbid stories. Time Out to Offer iPhone City Guide Apps New Media Age Time Out magazine will launch a series of city guide apps for the Apple iPhone for about $8 for each. The city listings magazine will initially launch 10 of its portfolio of 55 city guides as iPhone apps to offer travelers information about destinations such as New York and London. Rodale CEO: Why Magazines Won't Die Maria's Farm "The more I use technology, the more I want to read a magazine," writes Rodale CEO Maria Rodale. The Internet "enables people to go out in SEARCH of things. But sometimes, I just want things to FIND me. I just want to sit on my couch and be surprised when I turn the page." Google Packages Articles from NYT, WaPo Associated Press Google is teaming up with the New York Times and the Washington Post for a new project, called "Living Stories," which will package articles from both newspapers so coverage can be more easily updated to include new developments. Google isn't paying the newspapers to feature the content. Conde Nast Site Questions Digital Initiative Ars Technica The new digital joint venture of major magazine publishers to develop an online storefront faces myriad challenges, says Ars Technica, a site owned by Conde Nast, one of the partners in the consortium. "Will readers want to pay for a digitally-recreated magazine experience?" NY Times Still Undecided on Online Model Editor & Publisher The New York Times is still looking at different paid-content models for it Web site. "Making the right decision is more important than making a quick decision," explains digital head Martin Nisenholtz. "We need to be very certain when we pull the trigger." Newspaper Obits to Migrate to Internet Associated Press Social networks are putting pressure on newspaper obituaries, according to a study by Northwestern University. Obituaries could move onto the Web as classified ads have done. Newspapers are advised to link obituaries that appear on their own sites to social media. AOL Hiring More Print Media Refugees New York Post Saul Hansell, founding editor of the New York Times's Bits blog, is joining AOL as programming director of Seed.com. Also, Gene Marcial, the former "Inside Wall Street" columnist at BusinessWeek, today starts posting to a new financial news column on AOL's Daily Finance. Woman's Day to Name Mayhew as Editor New York Post Woman's Day, the seventh-largest U.S. magazine, is naming "Today" show regular guest and lifestyle expert Elizabeth Mayhew as editor in chief. She replaces Jane Chesnutt, who has run the title since 1991. The Hachette magazine is losing ground to Meredith's Family Circle. Variety Names LA Times Veteran as Editor Los Angeles Times Leo Wolinsky, a former top editor at the Los Angeles Times, is being named editor of Daily Variety. Owner Reed Elsevier unsuccessfully tried to sell the 104-year-old Hollywood business publication and its other publications last year. Variety is no longer for sale. Washington Post Raises Sunday Price to $2 Washington Business The Washington Post is raising newsstand prices for its Sunday edition and for its daily papers sold outside of the Washington region, its second increase in price in a year. The newsstand price for its Sunday paper will go from $1.50 to $2; the daily paper will remain 75 cents. Publishers Eye Color for Digital Newsstand Associated Press News Corp., Time Inc., Conde Nast, Hearst and Meredith are teaming up to create a digital format in color, unlike Amazon Kindle's gray "electronic ink." The format will work on a variety of devices that render color images, including tablet computers and smart phones. Murdoch: The Ad Business Model Is Dead Wall Street Journal The Wall Street Journal is publishing an excerpt from Rupert Murdoch's remarks at the Federal Trade Commission's workshop on journalism and the Internet. "The old business model based mainly on advertising is dead," says the News Corp. chief. "Let's face it." Microsoft, Hachette Team for Lifestyle Site AllThingsD MSN plans to launch a lifestyle Web site covering fashion, decor, relationships and beauty. The still-unnamed site, produced with Wonderwall creator BermanBraun, will include content from Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., publisher of Elle and other magazines. NY Times Won't Sell Worcester Newspaper New York Times Having given up on selling the Boston Globe, the New York Times Co, has also decided not to sell another Massachusetts newspaper, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Two potential buyers had emerged for the paper, though it was not clear how much they were offering. EBay Not Out to Steal Craigslist Secrets Dow Jones Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman says she was never aware of plans to steal secret information from Craigslist while the company was a minority stakeholder. "We were very interested in making an acquisition of Craigslist. We would have loved to have bought the whole thing." Media Giants to Unveil Digital Newsstand Reuters News Corp., Time Warner and magazine publishers Conde Nast and Hearst will on Tuesday unveil a new digital joint venture aimed at readying their print titles with agreed standards for a range of devices from e-books to tablets. Users of the service will get a "digital newsstand." BusinessWeek Names Bascobert President Dow Jones Bloomberg LP is appointing Dow Jones & Co. veteran Paul Bascobert to head up its newly acquired BusinessWeek unit. Despite not having much of a presence in consumer media before the deal, Bloomberg is acting boldly to reshape its new outlet since closing the deal. Hearst, YuMe Ink Ad Deal for Magazines San Francisco Business Hearst is buying video advertising services from YuMe for its magazines, including the Web operations of Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and Harper's Bazaar. The deal will put YuMe's ad technology onto Hearst sites in an attempt to better pair ads with content. AP Asks Facebook Users to Vote on Stories Associated Press The Associated Press is inviting Facebook users to vote on the 10 top news stories of the year, marking the first time the public has been invited to weigh in since the news cooperative began its annual survey in 1936. AP member newspapers and broadcasters voted in the past. Politico Co-Founder Joins Pulitzer Board Associated Press The Pulitzer Prizes is naming Jim VandeHei, executive editor and co-founder of Politico, to the Pulitzer Board. The election of VandeHei comes less than a week after the Pulitzer Board expanded the eligibility of Web-only publications for the top journalism awards. McClatchy to Lift Company Wage Freeze Sacramento Business McClatchy says it will lift its company-wide wage freeze beginning next month. Just when pay raises will be reinstated at individual McClatchy newspapers will vary depending "upon the financial performance and challenges at each individual paper." NY Times: Job Cuts Could Start Thursday New York Post The number of people stepping forward at the New York Times for voluntary severance packages passed the 50 mark late Monday, but could go higher. Cuts, if necessary, could start Thursday for non-exempt workers, but could drag out another 10 days for unionized workers. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Lays Off 39 Milwaukee Business The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is laying off 39 non-newsroom employees, citing the continuing economic recession. The layoffs are in the advertising, circulation and other business departments. The cuts are necessary because the company is "battling a tough economy." Magazines Less Vulnerable to Aggregators Financial Times The magazine business has "more pockets of stability" than newspapers, magazine execs say. Magazines' less time-sensitive content is less vulnerable to being devalued by online aggregators. "There's rarely breaking news in beauty or food," says Hearst exec Chuck Cordray. U.S. Publishers Join for Digital Venture Financial Times News Corp., a frequent critic of how Amazon shares revenue on its Kindle electronic reader, will throw its weight behind a consortium of magazine publishers -- Time Inc., Conde Nast, Hearst and Meredith -- developing next-gen magazines for mobile and digital devices. The Atlantic to Sell Stories on Kindle New York Times Let the iTunes-ization of short fiction begin. Starting on Monday, Amazon will sell two stories from The Atlantic through its Kindle store. Priced at $3.99 each, the stories are exclusively available on the Kindle e-reading device and will not appear in the print version of the magazine. Hearst's Seattle-PI.com Added to Skiff Crosscut Less than a year after folding the print version of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Hearst plans to include its Seattle-PI.com site on its newly named Skiff media service. Hearst says it expects to make its print media available on platforms including smart phones and Web books. Sesame Workshop Plans Kids' E-Books Wall Street Journal Sesame Workshop plans to launch a line of digital books for children 2 to 6 years old, in a bid to attract young readers and boost revenue. The nonprofit is expected to initially post five free e-books online, where the works can be read digitally but not downloaded. Axel Springer Seeks "One-Click Solution' New York Times Germany's Axel Springer wants publishers and Internet companies to create a "one-click marketplace solution." Google or other Internet gateways would display links to newspaper articles. But some of the items would include something new: a price tag. NY Times May Be Forced to Fire Staffers Bloomberg The New York Times will probably fall short of the 100 newsroom buyouts it is seeking and will have to fire employees to cut costs, according to executive editor Bill Keller. "If that is indeed the case, as we expect, we will be forced to resort to some number of layoffs." Tribune Initiative to Target U.S. Hispanics Chicago Tribune Tribune is introducing Tribune Hispanic, a cross-platform advertising initiative to court a growing segment of the U.S. population. The idea is to deliver Hispanic consumers to marketers via print, online, television, mobile, out-of-home, digital signage and events. Black to Appeal Under 'Honest Services' Globe and Mail The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday will hold a hearing on whether to reverse the criminal convictions of Conrad Black and two other former Hollinger International execs. The central issue will be a legal theory known as "honest services," a key component of anti-fraud statutes. Bloomberg Eyes Even More Acquisitions Financial Times Bloomberg, which recently bought BusinessWeek magazine, says it may make more acquisitions as it seeks to become the world's "most influential source of news." The company is also mulling adding charges for content on Bloomberg.com and Businessweek.com. BusinessWeek Shutters SmallBiz Magazine New York Post Three days after Bloomberg completed its acquisition of BusinessWeek, the magazine's new owner is closing BusinessWeek SmallBiz, folding it into the main weekly print edition and Web site. Editor Kimberly Weisul is staying wtih BW and there will be no layoffs. NY Magazine: Bright Lights, Bigger City Washington Post New York magazine survived the sudden death in October of owner Bruce Wasserstein. Still, hard economic times have forced editor Adam Moss to cut the budget by more than 10%, reduce freelance contracts and slash writers' pay. He still employs a large editorial staff of 100. Manhattan Media Thrives from Hyperlocal Crain's New York Manhattan Media is defying industry trends that have decimated the newspaper business, becoming New York City's largest indie owner of community publications, such as the Chelsea Clinton News. "Who knew that hyperlocal would become a sexy word?" says CEO Tom Allon. Portfolio.com 'Rebirth' Under New Owner New York Times Conde Nast's former Portfolio.com is being reinvented as "helpful and earnest" under the new ownership of American City Business Journals. The site is adding features, like a tool called BizWatch that lets readersget updates on companies and execs from selected news sources. Britain's Queen Gets Tough on Paparazzi Telegraph Queen Elizabeth II is authorizing a crackdown on the paparazzi amid her growing anger at intrusions into the private lives of the royal family. Buckingham Palace may take legal action against photographers who capture pictures of the royals in "private" situations. Microsoft Drops Plan to Pay Publishers Financial Times Microsoft exec Satya Nadella is dismissing the likelihood that the company will pay publishers for removing their content from Google. The software giant was reported to be in talks with News Corp. and others about paying them to remove their sites from the Internet search leader. Hearst to Launch Digital Service for Print Wall Street Journal Hearst plans to launch a service called Skiff to sell digital versions of newspapers and magazines on electronic readers and other devices, in a system it believes will be more lucrative for media companies. Skiff would be a rival to Amazon's dominant Kindle store. Craigslist Trial to Kick Off With Whitman Bloomberg California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, eBay's former CEO, is scheduled to be the first witness to testify next week in the trial of eBay's lawsuit against Craigslist. Craigslist is accused of diluting eBay's minority stake in the company by changing its stock structure. NY Times Due to Cut Jobs Next Week New York Post The New York Times's union for journalists on Monday face a deadline to accept severance packages. The newspaper is said to be looking for 40 to 60 people to cut. "People are holding their breath," says a union rep. "We expect there will be a lot of tears by Thursday." Harbinger Cuts NY Times Stake Again Reuters Hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners is cutting its stake again in the New York Times Co., almost two years after it bought a big stake in a bid to shake up the publisher. Harbinger and fund manager Philip Falcone had spent about a half billion dollars to buy shares. Reuters Relaunches Site Amid Job Cuts FT / Dow Jones Thomson Reuters is introducing an overhauled Reuters.com, which could pave the way for the addition of subscription charges for some of the site's content. Also: Thomson Reuters will cut 240 jobs in its legal businesses, with layoffs focused in North America. Rolling Stone to Open Restaurant Chain Los Angeles Times Rolling Stone plans to expand its brand by launching a restaurant and nightclub in Hollywood, rivaling Hard Rock Cafe. Owner Wenner Media hopes to leverage the magazine's status as a chronicler of rock music and pop culture into a new business built on food and drinks. National Geographic Adventure Shutters New York Post The National Geographic Society is ceasing regular publication of National Georgraphic Adventure. The 10-year-old magazine's entire 17-person editorial staff is being let go. The Society says it plans to "transition" the publication to "emerging digital platforms." Bloomberg Unveils New BusinessWeek WWD Bloomberg today will take up real estate on BusinessWeek's new logo for the first time, days after it closed its deal to buy the magazine. The weekly is now branded Bloomberg BusinessWeek. New editor in chief Josh Tyrangiel began at the magazine on Thursday. Forbes Magazine Tell-All Book is Coming Daily Finance Forbes magazine is said to be the subject of a tell-all book currently being written by a laid off staffer. Insiders point fingers at former managing editor Stewart Pinkerton. Pinkerton says: "I've been working on a book project, but I'm not at liberty to discuss what it's about." Google: News Biz Woes Aren't Our Fault Guardian Privately, some within Google maintain that it is not their fault if media companies cannot monetize the traffic they are being sent by the search engine. "Each new click, each reader they get, represents a business opportunity," says Google News chief Josh Cohen. Online Media Use Up Among Top Execs BtoB In five years, four out of five senior execs will consume more than half of their work-related media online, according to a new study by the Financial Times and Doremus. More than half of top execs read blogs, stream video and watch webcasts, both for leisure and for work. Google Fast Flip Aims to Help Newspapers Wall Street Journal Google is serious about helping the challenged news business, writes CEO Eric Schmidt. The Internet giant is testing a service called Google Fast Flip, which aims to "make it easier to read articles." News partners will receive most of the advertising revenue. Google Property Site May Hurt Newspapers Financial Times Google is in talks with British estate agents to launch an online property portal, which experts say could pose a serious threat to local newspapers. The Internet giant launched a property portal in Australia last August through which estate agents list properties for free. U.S. Media Need Govt Help, Waxman Says Reuters The government will need to be involved in shaping the future for struggling U.S. media outlets, according to top Democratic lawmaker Henry Waxman. "Eventually government is going to have to be responsible" to help resolve problems caused by a failing business model. McClatchy Cuts 24 Jobs at Miami Herald Sacramento Business The Miami Herald will cut 24 positions, including six in the newsroom, in the latest layoffs at the McClatchy newspaper. "The move is part of our ongoing effort to ride out this unprecedented period of economic turmoil,: says Herald publisher David Landsberg. Washington Times to Lay Off 40% of Staff Washington Business The Washington Times plans to lay off about 40% of its staff of 370 people and make other changes as it battles falling circulation and advertising revenue. The Times will also expand its relationship with United Press International, including sharing online sales. Tribune CEO Zell Replaced by Michaels Crain's Chicago Randy Michaels is replacing Sam Zell as the CEO of Tribune, putting an end to Zell's day-to-day control just short of a year after his leveraged buyout of the Chicago Tribune parent helped drive the company into bankruptcy. Zell will remain chairman of the company. Chicago Tribune's RedEye Gets a Boost Chicago Tribune The Chicago Tribune's free commuter tabloid newspaper RedEye is upping its distribution by 25%, bringing its average weekday total to 250,000, beginning Jan. 4. Copies will be available at an additional 30 suburban colleges. RedEye is "a key brand," Tribune says. NY Times Paper Attracts Second Suitor Telegram & Gazette Jeff Greene, a real estate magnate and investor, is pursuing an eleventh-hour bid to acquire the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. His interest in buying the New York Times Co. newspaper would put him in competition with a local group headed by Ralph Crowley Jr. EBay Eyes Classifieds Beyond Craigslist Bloomberg EBay, facing a legal fight with Craigslist, is in talks with other Web sites around the world in a bid to get more revenue from classified listings. The auction site is considering partnerships and acquisitions in smaller countries, says CEO John Donahoe. Pulitzers Change Rules for Online Work Associated Press The Pulitzer Prize board says it will open its doors wider to journalism entries from online-only news publications. "The revised rule will provide more flexibility as we focus on the merit of an entry rather than the mission of the Web site where it appeared." NY Times Releases Web News Skimmer News & Tech The New York Times is introducing Times Skimmer, which gives online readers the ability to thumb through news stories in a manner that replicates the experience of a print newspaper. Times Skimmer displays a collection of headlines and short summaries of articles in a grid format. Time Inc in Digital 'Manhattan Project' TechCrunch Time Inc. is working on a "Manhattan Project" to create a digital magazine for the new breed of color tablet computers soon to come to market. The publisher is producing a demo of the tablet magazine for Sports Illustrated. Also, Conde Nast is working on a similar concept. BusinessWeek Ex-Editor Joins Reuters Reuters Former BusinessWeek editor Stephen Adler will join Thomson Reuters as editorial director of the news and financial data provider's professional division. Adler left BusinessWeek after McGraw-Hill said it would sell the struggling magazine to Bloomberg LP. Google Backs Down to Media on Free News New York Post Google is making a play to appease media companies, allowing them to cap free news access. Now readers can only access a paid site five times a day through Google. The move comes as publishers gather in Washington to discuss the digital threats facing journalism. Murdoch Says Web Aggregators Should Pay Bloomberg Rupert Murdoch, speaking in Washington at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's workshop on journalism in the Internet age, says news aggregators must pay to distribute his company's news articles. "It's not fair use. To be impolite, it's theft." Arianna Says Free Online News Here to Stay Huffington Post Arianna Huffington insists free online content is here to stay, in her address at the FTC journalism gathering. "Desperate" publishers need to "stop whining" and get busy figuring out how to make free content work for them, she says. "The news has become social." Huffington Post Launches Local Site for LA WWD Arianna Huffington is launching The Huffington Post Los Angeles today. "There are a lot of conversations going on in Los Angeles," says Huffington, who previously launched local sites for Chicago, New York and Denver. The new site will be led by Willow Bay and Billy Silverman. SF Chronicle Leases Space to Twitter Guy San Francisco Business Three tech companies are moving into space in the San Francisco Chronicle headquarters as the Hearst newspaper downsizes operations. One of the companies, Square, is a mobile phone credit card payment processing startup led by Twitter creator Jack Dorsey. Las Vegas Sun Publisher Merges Print, Web Las Vegas Review-Journal Greenspun Media Group, publisher of the Las Vegas Sun, is laying off at least 20 employees as part of a restructuring to consolidate its print and interactive operations. Veteran journalists with the Sun, its sister publications and online operations are among those let go. Gannett Furloughs, USA Today Cuts Jobs Washington Business Gannett's community newspaper division will require a one-week furlough for most of its employees during the first quarter, as the publishing giant continues to trim costs amid declining advertising revenue. At USA Today, 26 newsroom jobs will be eliminated. Tribune Wins Extension for Bankruptcy Plan Chicago Tribune A U.S. bankruptcy court judge is extending until Feb. 28 Tribune's exclusive right to file a reorganization plan in its Chapter 11 case. The decision heads off a challenge by creditors that want to seize control of the case by requesting the right to file their own plan. AP, Other News Agencies Partner Online Associated Press The Associated Press is partnering with AFP, Canadian Press and other international news outlets on an online hub on Facebook where readers can interact with journalists covering the climate talks next week in Copenhagen. The effort aims to draw new readers. NY Times Poised to Cut Jobs, Shutter Blogs WWD / Observer The New York Times is searching for 100 editorial volunteers to take buyout packages. But so far, few have stepped forward. The Times will implement involuntary cuts to meet its goal before Christmas. Also: NYTimes.com plans to prune some of its 70 blogs. Wall St Journal Plans $15M for NY Edition New York Observer Rupert Murdoch is said to be ready to roll out a budget of $15 million for his new New York edition of the Wall Street Journal. The Journal is creating a six-days-a-week section that will cover local politics, culture, news and sports. The section is slated to launch in April. Craigslist Blocks Mashups Using Its Data TechCrunch A developer says Craigslist blocked both his mashup of the classified site's data and every single project built on Yahoo Pipes a few days after a friendly email exchange with site founder Craig Newmark. Craigslist has shut down mashups using its data many times. Newspapers Warned Over Digital Revenues Financial Times Newspaper owners are being handed a stark warning at the conference of the World Association of Newspapers in Hyderabad, India. Digital advertising revenues will never replace those made from print, says WAN chief Tim Balding. "We have to solve the digital payment issue." Newspaper Articles Copied 4.4 Times Online Financial Times The average U.S. newspaper story is copied 4.4 times by unauthorized Web sites, says a study of how news spreads across the Internet by Attributor. The study will form a critical part of upcoming negotiations between the news industry and online advertising networks. Reed Business, Nielsen Trades Set for Sale New York Post An agreement to buy The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek and other titles from Nielsen is expected to be announced this week. Separately, Reed Business Information is selling trade titles including Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News to NewBay Media. National Geographic to Sell Spinoff Magazine Folio The National Geographic Society is said to be quietly shopping its Adventure spinoff magazine. The travel and lifestyle title could be a hard sell, however, due to its attachment to such an iconic parent brand. The National Geographic name is "a big part of the value." BusinessWeek-er to Exit for Mobile Media AllThingsD In the wake of Bloomberg's purchase of BusinessWeek, longtime BW veteran John Byrne is leaving his job to run a digital media startup, called C-Change. Byrne hints it will be "a network of niche products for the business audience with an emphasis on mobile applications." Hachette Plans to Move to Smaller Offices New York Observer Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. is said to be planning to trade its New York offices at 1633 Broadway for a space less than half the size at the Time-Life tower two blocks east. The publisher of Elle magazine will sublet from Time at 1271 Avenue of the Americas. Forbes Near Sale of Headquarters Building New York Post The Forbes family is said to be close to a deal to sell its New York headquarters at 60 Fifth Avenue for about $55 million. The Forbes clan is selling assets as it faces financial pressure from the advertising slump. However, a spokesperson says: "Forbes has not signed any contract." News Corp Blames Woes on Free Content Press Trust The news industry is struggling because content is freely available on the Internet, according to Les Hinton, CEO of Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones & Co., speaking at the World Newspapers Congress. "Even Google is struggling to make money with free content." Murdoch, Huffington Talk Future of News Associated Press The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is holding a workshop Tuesday and Wednesday to examine the challenges facing the distressed news industry and to explore ways the government might help it survive. Rupert Murdoch and Arianna Huffington are among the panelists. Huffington Defends Her Vision of News Telegraph Arianna Huffington describes her Huffington Post online news aggregator as "the model for journalism moving forward." The Huffington Post "is already making profit and is totally sustainable," she says. "Anything extra we make will be poured back. I have no exit strategy." Media's Next Big Thing: Cellphone News Times of India The spread of news and advertising via mobile phones and social networks are the two areas that will shape the news industry in the years to come, say speakers at the World Newspaper Congress in Hyderabad, India. U.S. mobile advertising is slated to reach $3.33 billion by 2013. Financial Times Puts 120-Year Archive Online Guardian The Financial Times is making its 120-year archive available online. Educational publisher Cengage Learning is digitizing the FT's archive, which will be available for subscription or one-time purchase to all academic, public and government libraries in mid-January. NY Post Accused of Racism In New Lawsuit HuffPost Another former New York Post employee is suing the News Corp. newspaper, alleging that he was subject to unfair employment practices and that editors engaged in racially-motivated news coverage. Austin Fenner alleges that he was fired for complaining about racist coverage. Reader's Digest Plans to Exit Bankruptcy New York Post The Reader's Digest Association is nearing court approval of a plan to emerge from bankruptcy after offering sweeteners to several classes of creditors. The scheme is expected to knock off 75% of the company's debt load. A final hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15. Giant Magazine Suspends Print Edition Washington Business Giant magazine, owned by Radio One's Interactive One subsidiary, will cease its print publication and publish online only at GiantLife.com. The bimonthly lifestyle magazine covers celebrities, culture and fashion primarily for 20-something African Americans. Playboy Names Jellinek to Lead Content Associated Press Playboy Enterprises is promoting Jimmy Jellinek, editorial director of print and online content, to chief content officer, a newly created job. He will oversee content for all Playboy media properties. "Jimmy understands our 21st century culture," says founder Hugh Hefner. BusinessWeek Adds Charlie Rose Column Crain's New York BusinessWeek will feature PBS talk show host Charlie Rose as a new columnist for the magazine, which officially becomes the property of Bloomberg LP today. The column, debuting in the Dec. 21 issue, is touted as almost an extension of Rose's show. ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue to Return CNBC ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue, which featured athletes in various stages of dress, turned out to be the best issue, in terms of advertising, in the month of October since the magazine launched in 1998. The special issue will return for at least another year. Perez Hilton Publishes Second Gossip Book New York Daily News Perez Hilton's second tell-all, "True Bloggywood Stories: The Glamorous Life of Beating, Cheating, and Overdosing," is due to hit stores today. Like his popular celebrity gossip blog, the new book "isn't holding back when it comes to outing Hollywood's A-list." Murdoch Jr Close to Bid for Media Trades Financial Times Lachlan Murdoch is close to making a joint bid for trade magazines including the Hollywood Reporter and Billboard. Murdoch's bidding partners include James Finkelstein, Conrad Black nephew Matthew Doull and former Hearst Magazines International publisher George Green. Microsoft Unlikely to Fund Google Boycott Associated Press Microsoft reportedly wants to undercut Google so badly in Internet search that it might pay newspapers to withhold their content from Google. However, the software giant is unlikely to fund a Google boycott, according to people familiar with Microsoft's talks with publishers. Meredith Joins Magazine E-Reader Group New York Post Meredith, the publisher of Better Homes & Gardens and other titles, is joining the publishing coalition that is racing to develop software to display magazines on e-readers. That addition gives the group, which includes Time, Conde Nast and Hearst, a major move forward. Hearst Divorce Nearly Exposed 'Secrets' Fortune John Randolph "Bunky" Hearst Jr.'s recent divorce dragged his family's multibillion-dollar media empire into a legal battle that threatened to expose the inner workings of the corporation. His wife's legal team cleverly focused on Bunky's post-stroke competence as a company director. Murdoch's Sunday Times Blocked in Dubai Dow Jones The Times of London is available on newsstands in the United Arab Emirates Monday after the News Corp. newspaper's Sunday edition was pulled over its graphic illustrating Dubai's ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum sinking in a sea of debt. The graphic was "offensive." Washington Post Shuts Down U.S. Bureaus Reuters The Washington Post is closing its bureaus in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, as the money-losing newspaper retrenches to focus on politics and local news. "At a time of limited resources, it's necessary to concentrate our journalistic firepower on our central mission." Maxim Magazine Eyed for Hostile Takeover New York Post Andrew Fox, CEO of Track Entertainment, which runs Clubplanet.com, says he is launching a hostile, $40 million bid for struggling Maxim magazine. If he fails, he says, the title could be shut down in just four months. "My vision is to make Maxim the must-have again." Time Inc Shuts Down In Style Weddings New York Post The list of employees downsized from Time Inc. continues to grow. So far, Fortune is the hardest-hit magazine, with about 30 staffers leaving. At Sports Illustrated, the final tally this month is around 25. Also, In Style Weddings is closing, letting go nine editorial staffers. BusinessWeek Editor Exits for Startup BusinessWeek John Byrne, an executive editor and editor-in-chief of BusinessWeek.com, is leaving the magazine to launch his own digital media company. Byrne says he will officially step down when the sale of the magazine to Bloomberg LP is completed, as expected, on Dec. 1. Conde Nast: Party's Over for Survivors New York Post Conde Nast's holiday cocktail party for top brass last week was a low-key affair that insiders say didn't hold a candle to the old lavish luncheon. The traditional meal at the Four Seasons isn't expected to return. The company last held a Christmas lunch in 2007. I Want Media Courted by Adweek Suitor The Wrap James Finkelstein considered an acquisition of I Want Media, only to walk away after learning that Nielsen Business Media had put The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek and other titles up for sale. Finkelstein "has a habit of talking up dealmaking and then walking away." Magazine Giants to Harness Digital Media New York Observer Time Inc., Conde Nast and Hearst are on the verge of forming a new company that will allow them to prepare magazines to work across multiple digital platforms, including the iPhone and the BlackBerry. Time Inc. exec John Squires will head up the new venture. Conde Nast to Make Vogue Into Pay Site Wall Street Journal Vogue is hiring Blue State Digital to help analyze the Conde Nast publication's audience as part of a broader, revenue-generating push that ultimately will involve implementing paid subscriptions on Vogue.com. The Web consulting firm previously helped the Obama campaign. MediaNews, Belo Mull Blocking Google Bloomberg Denver Post publisher MediaNews plans to block Google News when it starts charging readers in Pennsylvania and California for online content next year. Similarly, Dallas Morning News owner A.H. Belo may also introduce online subscription fees and also block Google. Playboy Outsources to American Media Wall Street Journal Playboy magazine plans to outsource most of its business operations to American Media, the publisher of more than a dozen titles, including Star and Men's Fitness. The five-year partnership aims to help return Playboy magazine to profitability by the end of 2011. Rolling Stone Names Berlusconi 'Rock Star' Reuters The Italian edition of Rolling Stone is naming prime minister Silvio Berlusconi its "Rock Star of the Year," in tribute to his "lifestyle worthy of the greatest rock star." Editor Carlo Antonelli says: "Rod Stewart, Keith Richards in their prime were schoolboys compared to him." Tribune: Personal, Social Life to Merge Los Angeles Business Los Angeles Times employees are being advised in a company memo to watch what they post on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or any online social space. The memo states that employees should "assume that your professional life and your personal life will merge online." Hearst Planning Makeover of Oprah Magazine New York Post O, The Oprah Magazine is in the midst of a sweeping redesign that will be unveiled as part of its 10th anniversary issue next May. The redesign comes as the magazine comes off one of the rockiest years since its launch in 2000. The Hearst-led redesign will be "extensive." Bauer's Life & Style Weekly Sued by Cibrian Associated Press Eddie Cibrian is suing Life & Style Weekly for defamation over a recent story claiming he was cheating on girlfriend LeAnn Rimes. The "CSI: Miami" actor is seeking more than $1 million. The story ran in the Bauer Publishing's magazine and on its Web site earlier this month. Bloomberg to Shutter Book Publishing Unit MarketWatch Bloomberg LP plans to close Bloomberg Press, a small unit that publishes books, following its acquisition of BusinessWeek magazine. The unit published a handful of titles a year and has eight staffers. Bloomberg hopes to place the employees elsewhere in the company. Conde Nast Offers Peek of Tablet Edition AllThingsD What will Conde Nast magazines look like once they show up on tablet computers? The publisher has produced a demo video to show to advertisers. The video is also being screened in the promotional Wired magazine store in New York City, as well as on YouTube. E-Readers in Short Supply for the Holidays Financial Times The Barnes & Noble Nook is sold out and the Sony Daily Edition is in short supply. E-readers have proven a rare hit in a year when sales of most other consumer electronics have fallen. Amazon, which faced Kindle shortages this time last year, is well stocked this season. McClatchy Launches Digital Editions on Kindle Editor & Publisher Five of McClatchy's newspapers are now available on the Amazon Kindle, including the Sacramento Bee. Other McClatchy papers will be available soon. McClatchy did not reveal the subscription revenue split. Amazon is said to take a 70% cut of subscription revenue. Newspaper Circ May Be Worse Than It Looks Associated Press Since April 1, new auditing rules have made it easier for U.S. newspapers to count a reader as a paying customer. If a newspaper sells a "bundled" subscription to both the print and electronic editions, the publication is often allowed to count that subscriber twice. Times Publishing Sells Governing Magazine Tampa Bay Business Times Publishing, publisher of the St. Petersburg Times, is selling Washington, D.C.-based Governing to media/research firm e.Republic for an undisclosed price. Governing distributes 85,000 magazines a month to governors, legislators and other government officials. Sun-Times Names Execs for Digital Growth Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Sun-Times publisher John Barron is being named group publisher for Sun-Times Media. Also, Fred Lebolt, publisher of the Sun-Times Media suburban news division, is being charged with integrating online and print news for the company's newspapers and Web sites. WaPo Cutting Staffers in Web-Print Merger Politico The Washington Post is cutting several positions, primarily on the Web side. About 10 to 12 staffers are said to be leaving the company. The Post declines to discuss names, but says that "a small number" of positions are being eliminated "as a result of efficiencies." TheStreet.com Enjoys Big Jump in Traffic Washington Business Wall Street's big gains since spring have led to a jump in visits to finance Web sites, with CNBC commentator Jim Cramer's TheStreet.com seeing the biggest jump in visits last month. ComScore says TheStreet.com saw unique visitors jump 96% in October, to 4.4 million. Salon.com Tries Once Again to Reinvent Itself ClickZ Salon.com has struggled for years to make money. The online magazine lost almost $10 million over the past three years alone. CEO Richard Gingras aims to turn the business around by, among other moves, opening an online store that will "curate" goods from around the Web. Murdoch Jr Sees Wholesale Future for News Financial Times James Murdoch, CEO of News Corp. Europe and Asia predicts "a huge shift" is coming in the news business to a model in which journalism could be sold direct to customers, as well as at wholesale prices to those who might want to use it for business purposes. Media, News Business Hit by Massive Layoffs Portfolio Last week turned out to be another grim week in the media business, as an astounding number of job cuts were announced at AOL, the Associated Press, BusinessWeek, and Time Inc. Workers in the news and information business have to adjust to "a new reality." Twitter to Help News Outlets Monetize New Media Age Twitter co-founder Biz Stone says that tools to help brands and publishers monetize their Twitter presence are close to launch. He adds that services will help news publishers generate extra revenues online. "We look forward to opening up the doors to news organizations." Twitter Guy Urges Murdoch to Be 'Open' BBC News Newspapers should become "radically open" if they want to make money online, says Twitter co-founder Biz Stone. He adds that he would "love to see what happens" if Rupert Murdoch went ahead with plans to block Google from his Web sites. Murdoch may "fail fast." Murdoch Targets Sulzberger as Ads Slump Bloomberg The New York Times and Wall Street Journal are pursuing readers from regional U.S. newspapers in their fight to survive steep advertising declines. The New York Times is taking the latest shot with the debut of two pages of local content in Chicago editions. NY Times: Harbinger Cuts Stake Again Reuters Hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners is cutting its stake again in the New York Times Co., almost two years after it bought a big stake in a bid to shake up the newspaper publisher. Since Harbinger bought its shares in late 2007 and early 2008, the stock's value has plunged. Tribune Newspaper Accused of 'Pirating' UPI The Journal Inquirer, a family owned newspaper in Manchester, Conn., is filing a lawsuit against the state's largest paper, the Hartford Courant. The suit accuses the Tribune paper of plagiarizing 11 local news stories after cutting its own reporting staff to save money. Newspaper Ad Sales Decline 'Only' 28% Bloomberg U.S. newspaper industry advertising revenue fell 28% in the third quarter, according to data from the Newspaper Association of America -- a narrower decline than the previous period. "The broad consensus is that the worst has passed," says NAA CEO John Sturm. Conde Nast, Adobe Eye Digital Magazines New York Post Conde Nast is teaming with Adobe to help develop software for digital e-readers. The company is also in talks with PC maker Hewlett-Packard. The deal with Adobe is to collaborate on "creating technologies" that will produce "a new generation of digital magazines." BusinessWeek Lays Off 130, AP Cuts 90 Reuters BusinessWeek will lay off up to 130 workers, about a third of its staff, as Bloomberg LP prepares to take over the magazine. News of the job cuts comes as the Associated Press says it is laying off 90 news workers, or about 3% of its worldwide news staff. Hearst Exec Optimistic About Print Future Masthead Hearst magazines president Cathie Black, speaking at a event in Toronto on the future of magazines, says print media "will be around for a very long time." She notes that magazines have three revenue streams -- newsstand sales, subscriptions and advertising -- while digital doesn't. Conde Nast Prepares for Tablet Devices AllThingsD Conde Nast plans to create digital versions of its magazines that will work on all of the upcoming tablet devices, including the rumored Apple tablet. The publisher says it will have a digital version of Wired magazine ready for the Apple gadget by the middle of next year. Daily Beast Hires Dennis Publishing Vet New York Post Stephen Colvin, former U.S. CEO for Dennis Publishing, is joining Tina Brown's The Daily Beast as president. He will have primary responsibility for revenue generation and audience development. The Daily Beast is not yet profitable, but is backed by Barry Diller. Monster Online Job Site Eyed for Takeover Dow Jones Monster, the floundering online job search company, is the subject of takeover speculation. News Corp. and Google are seen as possible acquirers. Monster's main rival is Careerbuilder, a joint venture between Gannett, Tribune, McClatchy and Microsoft. Nielsen Media Titles Poised for Friday Sale The Wrap The deal to sell The Hollywood Reporter and several other flagship Nielsen Business Media titles may be done by Friday. The ailing group of media industry trade titles is about to be sold to Jimmy Finkelstein, whose News Communications owns the "Who's Who" series. EBay Founder to Launch Online News Site AFP EBay founder Pierre Omidyar says he plans to launch an online news service about his adopted home of Hawaii in early 2010. The still unnamed Honolulu-based local news service will "produce original, in-depth reporting and analysis of local issues in Hawaii." WSJ Readers Lead in Household Income BtoB Readers of the Wall Street Journal have the highest median annual household income ($135,740) among print publications, according to Mediamark Research. Other print titles with big household incomes include The Economist, The Atlantic and Conde Nast Traveler. Philly Newspapers Auction Put on Hold Philadelphia Inquirer The bankruptcy auction of Philadelphia Newspapers, the publisher of the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, is being postponed while creditors appeal a key ruling. Creditors want to use the $318 million in debt owed to them as part of a bid. Atlantic Media Names Editor for Digital BtoB Atlantic Media, publisher of The Atlantic, is hiring Adam Pasick as managing editor of a new digital media brand that will be launched in 2010 and target business execs. Pasick, most recently U.S. editor of Reuters.com, has experience "integrating journalism with technologies." Reader's Digest Magazine Moves to NYC New York Post Reader's Digest Association, now working through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is abandoning its longtime headquarters in Chapaqua, N.Y. Executive offices and Reader's Digest magazine editorial will move to space at 750 Third Avenue that was recently vacated by Conde Nast. Magazine Weakness Hits Celeb Photo Biz Daily Beast People magazine in June 2008 paid $14 million for the first, exclusive photos of Brangelina's newborns. Since then, the celebrity media bubble has burst. A typical celebrity photo now sells for 31% less than it did in 2007. Magazines are "spending far more cautiously." BusinessWeek May Cut 100 Jobs in Sale WWD Layoffs are beginning at BusinessWeek as staffers learn whether they will continue with the magazine once its sale to Bloomberg LP is complete. About 20 staffers are being let go in the online department. Some estimate about 100 staffers could be let go as layoffs continue. NYC Loses Nearly 60,000 Jobs In Media WCBS The New York City comptroller's office says the city has lost nearly 60,000 communications jobs since 2000, including in publishing and broadcasting. San Francisco has lost a third of its information industry jobs. Phoenix, Atlanta and Dallas lost more than one quarter. BusinessWeek: Layoffs Expected This Week Gawker Layoffs are said to be coming to BusinessWeek, which is in full reinvention mode since it was bought by Bloomberg LP last month. Bloomberg is holding meetings this week with several Business Week departments, which are expected to include layoff notifications. Bloomberg Names Editor for BusinessWeek Bloomberg Bloomberg LP is naming Time.com managing editor Josh Tyrangiel as editor of BusinessWeek magazine. Tyrangiel, who is also deputy managing editor of Time magazine, understands "how print and online can work together," says BusinessWeek chief Norman Pearlstine. WaPo Mulls Sale of Budget Travel Magazine Advertising Age Budget Travel magazine is not shutting down, contrary to rumors, but owner Newsweek/Washington Post is said to be seeking new equity investors for the title or even an outright sale. Ad pages in its January through November issues fell 27% from their level a year earlier. Newsweek in Sarah Palin Cover Photo Flap Newsweek Former U.S. VP candidate Sarah Palin is unhappy with Newsweek after it featured her on the cover posing in sports gear, calling it "sexist." In response, editor Jon Meacham says: "We apply the same test to photographs of any public figure, male or female." Hearst's Food Network Magazine 'Notable' Folio Hearst's Food Network Magazine is the Most Notable Launch of the Year, according to Samir "Mr. Magazine" Husni. "In such a short period of time the magazine circulation jumped to over 1 million. It took Gourmet 74 years to reach close to a million circulation." Conde Nast Revives Annual Holiday Party New York Observer Conde Nast will celebrate the holidays Monday at Aureole, the restaurant in the Bank of America Tower. Conde Nast canceled its annual holiday lunch last year. But this year -- with six magazines shuttered and hundreds laid off -- the company aims to prove it "survived." Time Inc: Layoffs Loom at Big Magazines New York Post Time Inc.'s biggest magazines -- People, Time, Sports Illustrated, Fortune and Money -- should find out today how many volunteers have stepped forward to accept buyout packages. The publisher, looking to slash more than 500 jobs, is widely expected to impose layoffs. Bonnie Fuller's HollywoodLife.com Debuts HollywoodLife Mail.com and magazine maven Bonnie Fuller are officially launching HollywoodLife.com as a female-focused celebrity news site. HollywoodLife already has content partnerships with iVillage and AOL's Popeater. "HollywoodLife will keep growing," Fuller says. Associated Press Sees 'Dozens' of Layoffs AFP The Associated Press is laying off dozens of employees as part of a plan to reduce its global payroll by 10% this year, according to the News Media Guild. The guild says that some 20 jobs are being cut at AP headquarters in New York and eight jobs in Puerto Rico. NYC Newspaper Circulation Offices Raided Associated Press Investigators in New York City on Tuesday raided circulation offices at the New York Times, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, and El Diario as part of a union corruption probe. Police are seeking paperwork related to the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers Union. FT Revamps Mobile to Attract Subscribers New Media Age The Financial Times is beefing up its range of mobile services in an effort to increase subscribers, with plans to launch a BlackBerry app along with an overhaul of its iPhone app. The publisher will also introduce a pay wall to its mobile site for the first time. NY Sun to Return as Web-Only Newspaper Nieman Lab Seth Lipsky is resurrecting the New York Sun as a stripped-down, online-only version of the newspaper he ran between 2002 and 2008. "We plan to build it up," he says of nysun.com. Lipsky's company, which owns the New York Sun's assets, is adding material that can "pay for itself." News Corp's Times Sets Online Fee Date Financial Times The Times of London is expected to be one of the first News Corp. newspapers to add fees for online content. The Times plans to introduce a subscription service and also charge less frequent readers for 24-hour access, starting in the spring. Murdoch on Fate of Newspapers, Kindle Wall Street Pit News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch, in an interview with his Fox Business Network, says the fate of newspapers depends on Kindle-like technology, that he doesn't regret staying out of the NBC deal, and that "we have to do something" about Google and free news on the Web. NYT Needs Free, Pay Access, Slim Says Dow Jones Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, speaking at the WSJ CEO Council, says the New York Times should offer both free and pay access to its online content, adding that he believes people will be willing to pay. "There are many ways to do that." Slim holds a 7% stake in the Times. Digg CEO: People No Longer Pay for News TechCrunch Digg CEO Jay Adelson, interviewed on Fox Business News, says he doesn't think consumers will pay for online news any time soon. Instead, payments will come from content hubs and aggregators -- including Digg itself. Digg can help news sites with their ads, he says. Newspaper Readership Healthy, Study Says Editor & Publisher A study from Scarborough Research finds that 74% of adults -- nearly 171 million -- in the United States read a newspaper in print or online during the past week. "Given the fragmentation of media, printed newspapers are holding onto their audiences relatively well." Gannett Eyes Revenue from Buzz Bureau Forbes USA Today's new Buzz Bureau is a two-person operation that puts together custom graphics and inserts for advertisers, and sells polling data, access to subscriber lists and data analytics. The bureau is said to be a top priority of USA Today editor John Hillkirk. USA Today Tests Online Edition at Colleges Associated Press Penn State, Indiana and Missouri are the first schools to participate in a USA Today initiative meant to test how students respond to electronic versions of printed newspapers. The e-edition, free for students, faculty and staff, offers interactive and exclusive content. Washington Blade Gay Weekly Shuts Down Washington Post The Washington Blade, a weekly newspaper that chronicled the coming-out of the capital's gay community, is abruptly closing, a victim of the unforgiving realities of the sagging U.S. newspaper industry. The Blade celebrated its 40th anniversary with a swanky party just last month. Playboy Loses CFO and Potential Buyer Reuters Playboy Enterprises CFO Linda Havard is resigning, effective at the end of the year. The company says she is "looking forward to new challenges." Separately, Golden Gate Capital is issuing a statement saying that, despite reports, it is not in talks to buy Playboy. Forbes, Fortune See Uptick in Readership Mediaweek The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Forbes, Fortune, Inc, and SmartMoney are seeing an uptick in readership, says Mediamark Research. Yet those gains are hardly reflected in their advertising results. Forbes recently reported a 35% decline in ad pages. Time Magazine Launches Engadget Rival Advertising Age Time magazine is making a bid for geeky audiences and tech advertisers by moving its Nerd World blog out of Time.com, adding more coverage and renaming it Techland. The site is elbowing into a category crowded by the likes of Gizmodo, Engadget and TechCrunch. Slate to Absorb Double X Women's Site New York Times Slate is folding Double X, a Web site named after the pair of X chromosomes in women, transforming it into one of the sections of the online magazine. The Washington Post Co. site describes the move as a business decision that will help reduce costs. Forrester: Most Won't Pay for Web Content PC World U.S. residents are largely unwilling to pay for access to newspaper and magazine articles online, says a new Forrester study. "There's no one delivery platform, and no one pricing model, that will satisfy all consumers." Publishers are advised to be "flexible." News Corp Hires McKinsey for Dow Jones Forbes News Corp. is retaining McKinsey and Co. to evaluate operations at Dow Jones, publisher of the "barely" profitable Wall Street Journal. The management consulting firm did studies this year for Conde Nast and Time Warner, later used as blueprints for layoffs. U.S. Less Willing to Pay for Online News New York Times Americans are less willing than people in many other Western countries to pay for online news, says a study by Boston Consulting Group. Some 48% say they would pay to read news online, including on mobile devices, tying with Britain for the lowest figure among nine countries. Microsoft Woos Newspapers in Google Fight TechCrunch Microsoft is said to have held a secret meeting with European publishers to discuss giving newspapers "premium positions" on the Bing search engine, in an effort to launch an assault on Google. However, there is little detail on how such a plan would work. BusinessWeek Loses Celebrity Columnists New York Post Former GE head Jack Welch and his wife, Suzy, are quitting their BusinessWeek column, as the magazine's staff of 400 awaits the news of their fate under new owner Bloomberg LP. BusinessWeek is also ending its columnist deal with CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo. Mansueto to Give Boost to Fast Company Mediaweek Mansueto Ventures owner Joe Mansueto is pumping money into flagship Fast Company magazine to grow circulation, now at 732,230, through an expanded presence at airports and Barnes & Noble. The move comes as the business news category is going through convulsions. Time Inc's InStyle Mag Cover, Ads Go 3-D MinOnline Country-music star Taylor Swift "comes to life" on the cover of the December issue of InStyle for readers with Webcams. Users log onto InStyle.com, point the Webcam to the cover and Taylor appears in 3-D. The issue's gift section also features advertisers' products in 3-D. Tribune Seeks More Time for Reorganization Chicago Tribune Tribune, signaling that infighting among creditors is bogging down its reorganization, wants a U.S. bankruptcy court to give its management team until March 31 to craft a plan to exit Chapter 11. If all goes according to plan, Tribune could exit bankruptcy by May 31. Detroit to Welcome a New Daily Newspaper Detroit News Brothers Mark and Gary Stern, two veteran publishers, plan to launch a daily newspaper serving Detroit, where the two largest newspapers have reduced home delivery to survive in a struggling industry. The Detroit Daily Press, a 50 cent daily, will debut Nov. 23 with a staff of 60. Miami Herald Preps Hyperlocal Web Network Editor & Publisher The Miami Herald is the latest newspaper to join the hyper-local Web world, with plans to start a network of online sites focused on five of its communities before the end of 2009. The network could conceivably grow to some 150 community sites, the Herald says. Boston Globe Unveils Digital GlobeReader News & Tech The Boston Globe is launching GlobeReader, a digital version of the newspaper that can be read offline or online. Globe content is downloaded to a user's desktop, laptop or netbook through GlobeReader in a format designed to resemble the print edition. Star Tribune Teams Up With CarSoup.com Star Tribune The Minneapolis Star Tribune is partnering with CarSoup.com to sell vehicles online. CarSoup.com will replace the newspaper's current car-selling site, which was developed by staff. The paper's automotive sales staff will become the local selling arm for CarSoup.com. Craigslist App Coming to BlackBerry for $5 Wired The official Craigslist app will soon be exclusively available to BlackBerry users. The $5 app created by Movela and Pyxis Mobile will allow users to browse and search through Craigslist postings across different categories, reply to them and save searches. Murdoch Ready to Hit Delete on Google Telegraph Jon Miller, News Corp.'s chief digital officer, says chief Rupert Murdoch is ready to block Google's access to his Web sites "within months" and that the company will lead the media industry in this direction. "There is real tension surrounding the free versus pay debate." London Times to Add Pay Walls by Spring New Media Age Rupert Murdoch's Times of London plans to start charging for access to its Web site as soon as next spring using a similar model to company sibling the Wall Street Journal. Charging for online news will be part of a major revamp of the Times Online in April 2010. Playboy Holding Talks With Two Suitors Los Angeles Times Iconix Brand Group, a brand management firm, and a group led by Jim Griffiths, Playboy's former entertainment head, are both in talks to acquire Playboy Enterprises and take it private for some $300 million. Any decision about a sale will come down to founder Hugh Hefner. Forbes Acquires Digital Photo Magazine TechCrunch Forbes Media is acquiring FlipGloss, a digital magazine focused on editorial and advertising photo content, for an undisclosed amount. FlipGloss's Digital Glossy Insert slideshow technology, which lets users "flip" through content, will be used for other Forbes properties. Bloomberg: No BusinessWeek Severance Advertising Age Bloomberg is not responsible for paying the severance packages of the BusinessWeek employees that are let go, according to a source familiar with the deal. This may add to panic BusinessWeek staffers are feeling as they are being interviewed to keep their jobs. Time Inc, Union Clash Over People.com New York Post Time Inc. is battling the Newspaper Guild over union claims that the company is exploiting writers in People magazine's Los Angeles office. The Guild claims that writers are being forced to work "outrageous hours" on People.com without adequate compensation. NY Times News Service to Lay Off 25 New York Times The New York Times News Service will lay off at least 25 editorial employees and move the editing of the service to company sibling newspaper the Gainesville Sun in Florida. The news service re-edits Times articles for wire distribution. Wash Times Loses Editor, May Shutter Washington Examiner Washington Times top editor John Solomon is resigning, completing a management turnover. The Times, owned by Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his Unification Church, is in turmoil, and there is widespread talk that the newspaper may be on the verge of shutting down. Philly Newspapers Auction Is Delayed Associated Press The auction for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News is on hold one week while creditors appeal a bid rule. The auction to determine the next owner of the two dailies had been set for next week. The current owners are in bankruptcy trying to shed $400 million in debt. Anschutz, Singleton Partner to Sell Ads Denver Business Philip Anschutz's Clarity Media and William Dean Singleton's MediaNews, both based in Denver, are launching a partnership to sell newspaper ads in northern California. The San Francisco Bay Area Buy group will offer ad space in 14 newspapers owned by the two companies. TMZ Caught Snatching from Radar Online New York Post Shortly after Radar Online posted court documents the Jon Gosselin filed against "Jon & Kate Plus 8" producer TLC, rival TMZ posted the same papers. But Radar marked the documents for identification. "Theft is the sincerest form of flattery," says Radar chief David Perel. Huffington, Springer CEO Clash on News Financial Times Huffington Post cofounder Arianna Huffington and Axel Springer CEO Mathias Dopfner engaged in a simmering debate in a panel discussion over business models for news. Dopfner predicts that "mixed models," combining free and paid, could take 10 years to mature. Murdoch's Web Sites 'Stealing' Content TechDirt Rupert Murdoch talks about wanting to cut off Google, claiming that aggregator Web sites are "stealing" from him. But some of his company's own sites -- WSJ.com, AllThingsD, FoxNews.com -- appear to aggregate content and rely on the same fair use argument. McClatchy Eyes Charging for Content Editor & Publisher McClatchy is sending out notices that it changed the terms of service agreement for all its Web sites, making it clearer that the publisher could begin charging for content. "Nothing is imminent," the company says. "We are studying it like everybody else." Gannett's Mom Site Live-Streams Birth ClickZ MomsLikeMe.com, a one-year-old Web site owned by Gannett live-streamed its first ever child birth on Friday. More than 3,600 people watched the live stream. Also, some 148,600 unique visitors downloaded a video clip of the event during the next 72 hours. Murdoch UK Tabloid 'Rattled' by Backlash Financial Times U.K. prime minister Gordon Brown has phoned Rupert Murdoch to express concern at the Sun's campaign against his handling of the Afghanistan war. Some 65% of respondents in a new poll view the tabloid's coverage as "inappropriate" rather than legitimate journalism. Conde Nast Hit by Big Drop in Ad Pages New York Times Advertising pages fell by 49.9% at Architectural Digest, part of an estimated total loss of 8,359 ad pages at Conde Nast monthlies in 2009, according to new estimates. The company lost 8,359 ad pages -- a 31.6% drop from last year. Among the worst hit: AD, W, Conde Nast Traveler. Newsweek to Eliminate About 12 Jobs Politico Newsweek editor Jon Meacham is informing staff that about a dozen positions will be eliminated do to the "economic climate in publishing." Meacham, in a memo, notes that the magazine is taking a different direction, and claims that it "continues to appear promising." News Corp May Join 'Hulu for Magazines' AllThingsD While Rupert Murdoch is busy shaking his fist at Google, he is making more friendly overtures to other media players. His News Corp. is said to be considering joining the digital e-reader storefront that Time Inc. and other magazine publishers are putting together. Wall St Journal to Launch Japanese Site Media Asia The Wall Street Journal plans to launch a Japanese-language Web site next month. Japan.WSJ.com will include Japanese translations of the Journal and other Dow Jones & Co. publications. The site is a joint venture with Japanese financial services provider SBI Holdings. Dow Jones to Sell Stoxx Indexing Stake Wall Street Journal Dow Jones & Co. plans to sell its one-third stake in the Stoxx Ltd. stock-indexing business for $308.8 million. Stoxx calculates and licenses stock-market indexes for use in European-focused investment products. The future of the core Dow Jones Indexes business remains in flux. Phila Newspapers Auction May Be Halted Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia Newspapers' senior lenders aim to halt Wednesday's auction of the company as they appeal a ruling barring them from bidding the debt they are owed. If the auction goes forward, the lenders say they will lose "the opportunity to protect the value" of the company. Belo Settles Dallas Circulation Scandal Dallas Business Belo says it has settled litigation stemming from a 2004 circulation scandal at the Dallas Morning News in which inflated figures resulted in higher advertising rates. The company did not say how much the legal action was settled for, but describes the terms as "favorable." Reed Elsevier CEO Exits as Recession Bites ShareCast Reed Elsevier CEO Ian Smith is resigning as the publisher of Variety, Publishers Weekly and other publications says its key professional information businesses have not escaped the advertising downturn. Elsevier CEO Erik Engstrom will take over the top job. Nielsen Business Media Set to Sell Adweek The Wrap Adweek, Editor & Publisher, the Hollywood Reporter and other Nielsen Business Media trade publications are poised to be sold to News Communications, the owner of the Washington, D.C.-based trade The Hill. "The B-to-B market has just collapsed." Tribune to Pay Back $170 Million of Debt Chicago Tribune Tribune plans to pay back $170 million of the $225 million in "debtor-in-possession" financing it took out to help pay for the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding it entered in December. Among other payments, the company will close out a $150 million term loan from Barclays Bank. Philadelphia Newspapers OK to Bar Lenders Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia Newspapers, owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, can bar its lenders from using the $300 million they are owed to try to purchase the company at auction, a judge says. The ruling poses an impediment to lenders' plans to seek control of the company. Conde Nast's Ex-Workers Eyed by Lawyers New York Post Less than half of the 340 employees laid off during the shuttering of four Conde Nast magazines in October have been compensated in accordance with New York state's WARN Act. Conde management is said to be meeting attorneys to discuss ways to avoid WARN payments. Conde Nast Hiring Workers for Digital Side Folio Following massive layoffs at Conde Nast's magazines, the company is now hiring on the digital side, in marketing, creative services and other areas, according to digital exec Drew Schutte. Conde Nast isn't a digital "late bloomer," he adds. CondeNet is "as old as Yahoo." NY Post Employee Files Lawsuit Over Firing New York Daily News Sandra Guzman, a New York Post editor who says she was fired after complaining that a cartoon likened President Obama to a monkey, is filing a lawsuit against the News Corp. newspaper. Guzman claims the cartoon was "part of a concerted effort" to undermine Obama. Playboy Files Lawsuit Over 'Lawyer of Love' Chicago Sun-Times Playboy.com, which fired a columnist who posed nude in its magazine last year, now wants to strip her of her "Lawyer of Love" moniker. The magazine is filing a lawsuit saying lawyer Corri Fetman illegally tried to register a trademark based on the Playboy column. Wall St Journal Mulls News for LA, Chicago Bloomberg The Wall Street Journal is said to be considering adding local metro-area coverage in Los Angeles and Chicago in addition to a planned section reporting on New York. The News Corp. newspaper debuted a once-weekly San Francisco Bay-area edition last week. NY Times Publishes 'Crowd-Funded' Article AFP The science section of the New York Times on Tuesday included an unusual article written by freelance journalist Lindsey Hoshaw. Her expenses were paid by donors through Spot.Us, which describes itself as a "nonprofit project to pioneer 'community funded' reporting." Tribune: Beatty May Sue Over 'Dick Tracy' Reuters Warren Beatty can go ahead with a lawsuit against Tribune over rights to comic strip detective Dick Tracy, a federal judge says. Beatty, who directed and starred in the 1990 film "Dick Tracy," has been in a dispute with Tribune over the rights to the character for several years. Murdoch's Google Ban Backed by Cuban Blog Maverick Internet entrepreneur Mark Cuban is supporting Rupert Murdoch's possible plan to remove his company's news articles from Google. Twitter and Facebook could help News Corp. offset the traffic loss, Cuban argues. They "pose no threat to any destination news site." Star Tribune to Cut Jobs, Redo Web Site Minneapolis Star Tribune The Minneapolis Star Tribune is cutting 100 jobs, including 30 newsroom positions, as the newspaper continues to "restructure the business." Some jobs will die to help fund a major effort to redesign StarTribune.com "in ways that will improve both usage and commerce." Washington Times Fires Publisher, Execs Washington Business The Washington Times says Thomas McDevitt is being relieved of his duties and publisher and president. CFO Keith Cooperrider and acting chairman Doug Moon Joo are also being let go. The moves are intended to help the Times "become a sustainable multimedia company." SF Chronicle Now More Like a Magazine San Francisco Chronicle Portions of Hearst's San Francisco Chronicle are now printed on high-quality glossy paper that delivers photos, graphics and advertisements "with exceptionally vivid reproduction," the newspaper says. The "magazine-quality reproduction" is "a first for American papers." Hachette Shuts Down Metropolitan Home Crain's New York The advertising recession is claiming another casualty: Hachette Filippachi Media U.S. will close Metropolitan Home magazine with its December issue. Thirteen editorial employees will lose their jobs. Hachette says it plans to focus resources on ad-page leader Elle Decor. Huffington Urges PR Pros to Be Moral San Diego News Network Arianna Huffington, the founder of the Huffington Post, urges public-relations practitioners to be the moral conscience for their clients and to "course-correct," should ethics fall astray, in a keynote address at the 2009 Public Relations Society of America conference. WPP Chief: More Print Media Must Die Off BtoB Newspapers and magazines are "dropping like flies, and that has to continue," says WPP chief Martin Sorrell. "There has to be a winnowing out and consolidation." The solution is to offer content for sale to those who are willing to pay for it. "The old models don't work." Google Books Offers Digitized Magazines New York Observer Google Books is launching a free digitized magazine stand from scans of issues of periodicals, including advertisements. Most issues are usually two or three years old -- or even a few decades old. Users can browse magazine covers or look at an alphabetical list of titles. Gawker, TMZ Seen as Threat to NY Post New York Times The New York Post is losing more circulation than most U.S. newspapers -- down almost 30% in 2.5 years. Gawker and TMZ compete with the Post's Page Six for gossip, while the Internet allows the New York Observer and New York magazine to compete on breaking news. Village Voice Media Eyes Local Web Ads Forbes Village Voice Media, the publisher of 14 local U.S. publications, including the 54-year-old Village Voice, is focusing on growth in Internet advertising, with its recently launched Voice Local Network. The Internet side of the business is up 75% from last year. U.S. Print Media Mull Pulling Out of Britain Times of London American newspapers and magazines may stop selling copies in Britain and block access to their Web sites because of "draconian" U.K. libel laws. The National Enquirer started blocking British readers after it was successfully sued in London by actress Cameron Diaz. Conde Nast to Export Magazines to China Wall Street Journal Conde Nast says it aims to continue adding more magazine titles in China, where the publishing business continues to "go very strong," even as it suffers in America amid the rise of Web-based content. Last month Conde Nast launched a Chinese edition of GQ. Mass-Market Magazines Showing Ad Gains New York Times A handful of magazines -- InStyle, Glamour, Real Simple, Southern Living -- have more advertising pages in December 2009 than a year ago. Also: If an ad in The Week magazine fails to land in the top third for reader recall, the publisher promises to run it over until it does. Playboy: 'Bold Steps' Needed at Magazine Mediaweek Playboy Enterprises will continue to publish its iconic print magazine, but it needs to take "bold steps" to stem its profit losses, says CEO Scott Flanders. "We cannot continue to lose significant sums of money." The company is eyeing new opportunities in digital. BusinessWeek Top Online Exec to Leave BusinessWeek Roger Neal, general manager of BusinessWeek's online operations, is the third top exec to resign from his post following the announced sale of the magazine to Bloomberg LP. Earlier, president Keith Fox and top editor Stephen Adler announced plans to leave. Conde Nast Hires Crisis Intervention Expert New York Post Conde Nast is turning to crisis manager Michael Sheehan to help with public relations, as morale at the company hits an all-time low. Sheehan has coached Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and handled AIG during its near-death experience and JP Morgan in its acquisition of Chase. Time Inc Layoffs Move to Lifestyle Mags New York Post The Time Inc. cutbacks are said to be moving into the lifestyle group. "Dozens" of axings are reported to be taking place in the Birmingham, Ala., offices of Southern Progress, primarily at flagship Southern Living. In New York, about three people are being let go at Real Simple. Advance SI Newspaper Seeks to Cut Jobs New York Post Advance Publications' Staten Island Advance is looking for another 40-plus volunteers to take severance packages before year's end. "Our goal is to eliminate slightly over 40 positions through the voluntary buyout," according to publisher Caroline Diamond Harrison. NY Observer Looks to Pope for New Editor New York Observer Kyle Pope, formerly the number two editor at Conde Nast Portfolio, is being named the next editor of the New York Observer. Editor Tom McGeveran announced last week that he will leave to work on an online project. Pope is a veteran of the Wall Street Journal and Inside.com. Murdoch's Online News Pay Plan Delayed AFP Rupert Murdoch's plan to start charging readers of his newspapers online may be delayed. Murdoch previously planned to erect pay walls by the end of News Corp.'s current fiscal year in June but he says that is now unlikely. Asked what is causing the delay, he says: "Everything." Wall Street Journal Launches SF Edition Associated Press The Wall Street Journal's new San Francisco Bay Area edition launches Thursday, with a weekly section devoted to local news. It joins the New York Times in moving into big media markets that have seen local newspapers struggle amid an advertising and economic slump. SF Chronicle Goes to High-Gloss Paper San Francisco Business Hearst earlier this year said it might shutter the ailing San Francisco Chronicle; now it's giving the newspaper a face lift. Starting next week the Chronicle will print its front page and select inside pages on high-gloss paper, to "better serve readers and advertisers." Time Inc Expected to Eliminate 500 Jobs New York Post Fortune and Sports Illustrated will be the hardest hit magazines in the layoffs that are just beginning at Time Inc. About 40 people will be laid off from Fortune; SI will make similar reductions. Even People, Time Inc.'s No. 1 magazine, is looking to cut at least eight jobs. Fortune Small Business Mag Shuttered Daily Finance Fortune Small Business, a Fortune magazine spin-off, is suspending publication. Though it falls under the Fortune brand, FSB is owned by American Express Publishing and produced by Time Inc.'s custom-publishing unit. The closure will result in the elimination of 11 jobs. Reader's Digest Closes TV Evangelist Mag New York Post Reader's Digest Association is ending its joint venture with television evangelist Rick Warren after less than a year. The quarterly magazine, Purpose Driven Connection, which suffered from a lack of subscribers, will stop print publication and become a Web-only venture. Conde Nast Steals Hearst Exec for Vogue WWD Susan Plagemann, publisher of Hearst's Marie Claire, is being named VP and publisher of Conde Nast's Vogue. She will replace Tom Florio, who is being bumped up to senior VP. He will now be responsible for his Vogue properties, Bon Appetit and Conde Nast Traveler. Craigslist Founder to Help U.S. Veterans Washington Business Craigslist founder Craig Newmark will help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs improve the way it serves patients. Newmark will serve on a panel of advisors that will review ideas to improve disability claims' processing times and improve transparency to veterans. Hearst, Time Inc, Wenner Eye Campaign Mediaweek Hearst, Time Inc. and Wenner Media are said to be talking about creating a marketing campaign to promote the positive aspects of magazines as a medium, amid the negativity surrounding print. Ad buyers cheer the idea of "reestablishing the relevance of magazines." Time Inc Layoffs Start at Sports Illustrated New York Times Layoffs are beginning at Time Inc. About 15 to 20 sales and marketing employees are being dismissed from Time Inc.'s news group, largely from Sports Illustrated. Deeper layoffs are expected shortly. The layoffs are estimated to number between 400 and 500 people. Bloomberg Mulls Charging for Web Material Wall Street Journal Bloomberg LP is considering a charge of as much as $1,000 per year for access to certain material on its Web site, Bloomberg.com. Currently, access to Bloomberg.com is free. Under one plan, Bloomberg would sell subscriptions to feeds of stories on specific topics. BusinessWeek Overhaul to Model Economist Mediaweek Bloomberg LP plans to make its newly acquired BusinessWeek magazine bigger, glossier and more international. The changes -- which include doubling the story count and expanding global coverage -- will move BusinessWeek in the direction of The Economist. Tribune to End Stock Plan for Employees Los Angeles Times Tribune's employee stock ownership plan is likely to be terminated when the company emerges from bankruptcy protection. Eliminating the plan signals that management and creditors figure that the complexity of keeping the ESOP in place is more costly than paying taxes. Newspaper Ad Declines Seen as Relentless Wall Street Journal Despite optimistic comments from publishing execs, newspapers are suffering severe declines in advertising revenue this year on top of last year's double-digit percentage declines. Fitch Ratings analyst Mike Simonton describes the ad declines as "relentless." MediaNews to Erect Partial Web Pay Walls Editor & Publisher MediaNews plans to put up partial pay walls at two of its newspapers, the Enterprise-Record in Chico, Ca., and the York (Pa.) Daily Record. "We don't think putting everything behind a pay wall works," says CEO William Dean Singleton. "We have to condition readers." WSJ Appoints Editor for New York Section New York Observer The Wall Street Journal is said to be hiring John Seeley, the former deputy managing editor of the New York Sun, to lead the newspaper's new New York section, which is expected to debut next year. The move is seen as owner Rupert Murdoch's effort to take on the New York Times. Texas Tribune News Site Seeks Partners San Antonio Express-News The Texas Tribune, a new, free nonprofit online journalism venture headed by former Texas Monthly boss Evan Smith, is in talks with several newspapers in the state about possible collaborations. Some are questioning whether the nonprofit news model can work. Newsy.com Recruits Newspaper Veteran TechCrunch Newsy, the online video news site, is hiring Pam Maples as VP of editorial to help out with ramping up the content side of the business. Maples is a former managing editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and assistant managing editor at the Dallas Morning News. Maggwire.com to Sell Magazine Articles New York Observer A new site called Maggwire, founded by three former Wall Street analysts, aspires to "do for magazines what iTunes did for music." The site plans to sell subscriptions to channels of aggregated magazine articles. No major publishers have confirmed participation. Time Inc Digital Boss to Leave Company New York Post Vivek Shah, an exec once pegged as a rising star on the digital side of Time Inc., is leaving the company. Shah is resigning as the publisher of People, Time and Sports Illustrated gets ready to chop 540 people from the payroll. His position won't be filled. Emap to Charge for Magazine Web Access Media Week UK Emap, the London-based business-to-business publisher, plans to start introducing pay walls across its magazine Web sites, a reversal of its previous policy of giving away its content online. The publisher's Retail Week will introduce a pay wall on Nov. 13. Dow Jones Exec to Detail Web Pay Move News & Tech Les Hinton, CEO of News Corp.'s Dow Jones & Co., will address the World Newspaper Congress in Hyderabad, India, next month, and talk about the company's plans to move from free to paid Internet content. The company is to begin charging readers in the coming months. Tribune Newspapers Test Life Without AP Chicago Tribune Tribune, owner of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times, will not use most Associated Press content next week to test whether severing ties with the news cooperative next fall is a viable option. Wire content may be "worth less" than unique, proprietary content. Philly Paper: We Regret Our World Series Ad Associated Press The Philadelphia Inquirer is apologizing to readers for mistakenly running an advertisement congratulating the Philadelphia Phillies on winning back-to-back World Series titles. The Yankees held a 3-1 lead on Monday, the day the ad ran. The Inquirer says it regrets the error. Journos Become Entrepreneurs Amid Job Cuts South Florida Business With more than 14,000 media-related jobs slashed this year alone, many journalists are starting to launch their own independent news outlets online. The Miami Herald, which has had deep staff cuts, is reaching out to news entrepreneurs, offering them partnerships. E-Readers May Not Solve Publishers' Woes Reuters Publishers hoping to halt a slide in sales with new electronic reading devices like Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's Nook may struggle to get consumers to embrace them. The devices lack multiple functions of more advanced technology such as smartphones, experts say. BusinessWeek President Fox to Step Down BusinessWeek BusinessWeek president Keith Fox is stepping down but will remain at parent company McGraw-Hill. Fox informed colleagues of his decision on Friday, less than three weeks after McGraw-Hill announced it had reached an agreement to sell BusinessWeek to Bloomberg. Gannett Newspapers Make 'Content Priorities' Editor & Publisher Gannett newspapers are being urged to improve watchdog journalism, reposition Web sites for breaking news, and better engage young readers, according to a list of priorities issued during an editors meeting. One of the directives states it is time to "get our swagger back." Meredith Adds Partners for Online Recipes Mediaweek Recipe.com, Meredith's recently launched effort to get a slice of the online food pie, is adding several recipe partners, including The Food Channel, Tyler Florence, Vegetarian Times, Fine Cooking, and Taste of the South magazines. Recipe.com now boasts some 20,000 recipes. Martha Stewart: Twitter Queen of Magazines MinOnline Martha Stewart's "authentic voice" drives her "Twitter-ship," helping to make Martha Stewart Living one of the leading consumer magazine Web sites with the most active Twitter feeds. Time.com's feed, at nearly 1.7 million, is No. 1, due in part to its Twitter-related headlines. Chicago News Cooperative Set for 'Disaster' Crain's Chicago The Chicago News Cooperative, which plans to provide news to the New York Times and later launch a pay Web site, has a "deeply flawed business model," according to Geoff Dougherty, who ran the now-shuttered online Chitown Daily News. "Internet pay walls are a disaster." Wall St Journal to Shutter Boston Bureau BusinessWeek The Wall Street Journal is closing its Boston bureau amid a "profound downturn in advertising revenue." Nine reporters will be affected. The move comes as a period to accept attractive News Corp. severance offers is set to expire. That could prompt more staff departures. Forbes Cuts 100 Including ForbesLife Editor New York Post The toll keeps mounting at Forbes Media, with about 100 people laid off this week. In the latest sign that the cuts are reaching into the highest ranks of the company, Gary Walther is being let go as editor of ForbesLife magazine, the publisher's lifestyle publication. NYT: Boston Globe Publisher Ainsley to Retire Boston Herald Boston Globe publisher Steven Ainsley is leaving the embattled New York Times Co. broadsheet after three years at the helm. "The past few years have been difficult for our business," he admits. Ainsley's exit follows months of tumultuous union battles and deep budget cuts. Murdoch to Package NY Post, Brooklyn Paper New York Observer Rupert Murdoch bought the Brooklyn Paper in March, and its stories appear on the Post Web site. As of this Friday, the two newspapers' print editions will also be a package deal: Post subscribers in "selected areas of Brooklyn" will receive the Brooklyn Paper as well. Canwest: National Post at Risk of Shutdown CBS Canada's National Post newspaper will cease operations unless a Toronto court approves a new ownership structure by Friday, says owner Canwest. The company has been under court protection from creditors since last month. The paper has lost $60 million in the last four years. St Louis Globe-Democrat to Return Online Only St. Louis Business Dan Rositano, the former director of information and technology at St. Louis's KPLR Channel 11, plans to revive the St. Louis Globe-Democrat as a free online news Web site, tapping the talent of out-of-work journalists. The Globe-Democrat stopped publishing in 1986. Time Warner to Cut $100 Million in Magazines New York Times Time Inc., publisher of Fortune, Sports Illustrated and Time, among other magazines, is expected to announce another big round of layoffs next week. The timing is coordinated with the Q3 earnings announcement from parent Time Warner. Time Inc. cut about 600 people a year ago. Esquire to Energize Print With 3-D Animation Associated Press Esquire's December issue will feature 3-D animation, in the Hearst title's latest tech experiment to keep print relevant. Car maker Lexus is absorbing some of the cost by running two "augmented-reality" ads. "I wanted to prove that print is still kind of cool," says editor David Granger. Forbes Cuts 30 Jobs, Shuts Down Bureaus New York Post Forbes is said to be cutting at least 30 jobs this week, and the layoffs are expected to continue. As part of the third round of cuts this year, many of the business magazine's bureaus will be closed, with survivors becoming correspondents working out of their homes. Associated Press Expected to See Layoffs Politico The Associated Press is yet to meet targeted cuts in payroll, so the news agency is expected to lay off staff by the end of 2009. Early estimates put the payroll cut at roughly 400 staffers. But it is unclear how many could be cut, given that the targeted reduction is in payroll. Politico Owner's DC Site to Hire 50 Staffers Washington Post Jim Brady, the former editor of the Washington Post's Web site, is starting a venture for Politico owner Allbritton Communications that strikes at one of his old newspaper's strengths: local news. The new Web site plans to hire 50 people, including two dozen reporters. Examiner.com Expands Into Canadian Markets CNET Philip Anschutz's hyper-local publisher Examiner.com is rolling out its service in five Canadian cities: Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. The move marks Examiner.com's first international foray. Examiner.com has 18,500 Examiners writing for 109 U.S. cities. NY Observer Editor Departs After Five Months New York Post Tom McGeveran is resigning after only five months as editor of the New York Observer, saying he plans to get started on an unspecified new-media venture. However, sources say McGeveran was "not on board" with plans to take the salmon-colored weekly in a new direction. Tribune May Exit Bankruptcy in Early 2010 Chicago Tribune Tribune CEO Sam Zell says he no longer believes the company will emerge from Chapter 11 before the end of the year. He now predicts the exit will come in 2010. "There was such a crash in the revenue side of the entire newspaper business. Nobody could survive it." Murdoch Preps Overhaul of WSJ in Europe Dow Jones The Wall Street Journal Europe will be revamped to include new analysis features and columnists as well as a new front page design, in a move to attract more readers and advertisers. As a result of the changes, the WSJ's U.S. edition will no longer be published in London. Bloomberg Makes Push in European News Media Week UK Bloomberg is continuing its expansion across Europe with the launch of a state-of-the-art television newsroom and studio in London. The facility uses advanced digital technology to better interact with viewers. News anchors will be standing, not sitting, in front of cameras. London Lite Newspaper Expected to Close Times of London London Lite, the London free newspaper, is expected to close next month after owner Daily Mail and General Trust concluded that it could not compete with the newly free Evening Standard. Rupert Murdoch's free thelondonpaper ceased publication in September. Detroit Newspapers Lose Less Circulation Detroit News Circulation declines at the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press are smaller than for most other big city dailies. "We radically changed our delivery model," they say. In March, the papers cut home delivery to Thursday, Friday and Sunday, offering store sales other days. Washington Post Faces Rival from Politico New Republic Politico owner Robert Allbritton is said to be planning to launch a local Washington, D.C., news site, in a direct challenge to the Washington Post. Former Washingtonpost.com editor Jim Brady will run the new site, which will feature original news and aggregation. TV Guide to Publish Special for SpongeBob Mediaweek TV Guide magazine is introducing a special-interest publication devoted to Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants that it says will be one of at least six single-topic publications to come in the year ahead. The SpongeBob issue will be ad-free, with a $6.99 cover price. Conde Nast Magazines Won't Cut Frequency New York Observer As cuts at Conde Nast wind down, there is one last piece of news that employees are waiting for: Which magazines will reduce their publishing schedules? Insiders say it is unlikely that any monthly magazine will announce a reduction this year. "It's now on the back burner." Reddit Founders Latest to Leave Conde Nast New York Post The carnage at Conde Nast, which began Oct. 5 with the axing of 180 people and closing of four magazines, is stretching into its fourth week. Staffers are exiting Details and Teen Vogue. Plus, the founders of Reddit, the aggregation site Conde bought in 2006, are leaving. Conde Nast Eyes Web Premium Subscriptions New York Observer Conde Nast has arrived not-so-fashionably late to the Internet, recently launching standalone sites for GQ and Details. The magazine giant's Web efforts are now gaining speed. Coming soon: more mobile apps, e-commerce and premium paid subscription models. Time Inc to Serve Layoffs for the Holidays New York Post Time Inc. is bracing for another round of cutbacks. Sources say the layoffs will be most severe in the division that includes Fortune, Sports Illustrated, Time and Money magazines, and will be carried out before Thanksgiving. Time Inc. let go about 600 people last year. WSJ Starts Charging Fees for Mobile Apps Mediaweek The Wall Street Journal is now making many articles on its BlackBerry and iPhone applications available by subscription only. The switch affects articles that fall in the newspaper's core business and financial coverage, leaving free stories from lifestyle, sports and politics. Newspapers See More Decline in Circulation Reuters The plunge in U.S. newspaper circulation is accelerating, according to Audit Bureau of Circulations, as more people cancel subscriptions and publishers cut distribution and sales of discounted copies. Only one U.S. paper, the Wall Street Journal, is reporting an increase. SF Chronicle: 'New Business Model Emerging' San Francisco Business Hearst's San Francisco Chronicle, which lost more than a quarter of its daily circulation in the first half of the year, "has a new business model that's emerging," says president Mark Adkins. SFGate.com is recording record traffic, which is "very positive" for the future. Sun-Times Owner Sees 'Untapped Potential' Reuters The parent company of the Chicago Sun-Times is being sold to a local group of investors led by investment banker James Tyree. The sale is valued at $26.5 million. Tyree says he sees "untapped potential" in the Sun-Times portfolio of newspapers and Web sites. Cosmo Launches Social Media Sweepstakes DM News Hearst's Cosmopolitan is launching the Cosmo Karma Project, a social media initiative sponsored by Estee Lauder, to benefit breast cancer research. The magazine also seeks to grow its subscriber base with the initiative, which incorporates Facebook and Twitter. Forbes Media to Cut 30+ Jobs Amid Ad Drop New York Post Forbes Media is said to be cutting 30 to 40 people from its editorial ranks over the next three days, as its magazine braces for losses. "The entire media world [has] been hit hard by the severe recession and the seismic shifts wrought by the Web," says chief Steve Forbes. Tribune Preps Registration for Web Sites Advertising Age Tribune's new Tribune365 unit plans to introduce a universal registration system for all company Web sites this year. Tribune365 chief Don Meek declines to discuss prospects for Tribune's plans for Internet pay content. "We're going to try a lot of different things." Sun-Times Poised for Sale After Cuts OK'd Chicago Tribune A final group of unionized Sun-Times Media workers is agreeing to changes in its bargaining agreement. The OK removes the remaining obstacle to the acquisition of the bankrupt publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times by a group of investors led by financier Jim Tyree. NY Times Editor: Apple Tablet 'Impending' Gawker The New York Times is working on bringing its journalism to several new platforms, according to top editor Bill Keller. Those platforms are said to include a possible electronic tablet in development by Apple. A Times team was rumored to have met with Apple earlier this year. Newspapers: Sidestepped in Online Rally New York Times Newspaper Web sites are not attracting new advertising dollars, even as Internet ads are creeping back to networks and exchanges like AOL's Advertising.com and Google's DoubleClick ad exchange. The Internet-only services allow ads to be "very targeted and efficient." McGraw-Hill Nets $5.9M from BusinessWeek AllThingsD McGraw-Hill is said to be telling investors that it will net $9.3 million, or $5.9 million after taxes, from the sale of BusinessWeek magazine. BusinessWeek, among other sources, has pegged the sale price at somewhere between $2 million and $5 million, plus liabilities. Conde Nast Layoffs Extend to Fairchild New York Post About 15 people are estimated to be losing their jobs at the Fairchild division of Conde Nast. The division publishes titles including Women's Wear Daily and Footwear News. The cuts at Fairchild are expected to be one of the last round of Conde Nast staff reductions. Gourmet: Could It Be Revived One Day? MinOnline Conde Nast maintains the rights to its discontinued titles, which gives it the opportunity to relaunch when conditions turn favorable. Two precedents: Vanity Fair, folded in 1936 and relaunched in 1983; and House & Garden, folded in 1993, relaunched in 1996, and folded again in 2007. Time Inc to Cut Jobs, Fortune Frequency Wall Street Journal Fortune magazine plans to reduce its publication schedule to 18 issues a year from 25, in a revamp that will lead to broader staff cuts at owner Time Inc. The cuts are expected within weeks. Also, Fortune may charge Web surfers for features around the Fortune 500. Conde Nast Reorganizes Digital Operation New York Observer Conde Nast is refocusing its digital sales structure, just days after announcing that it will start offering GQ issues for $2.99 a piece on the iPhone. The company is naming Josh Stinchcomb as the new publisher in charge of all revenue for its 26 Web properties. Vanity Fair: Conde Nast's Biggest Layoffs New York Post Vanity Fair on Thursday took some of the deepest staff cuts at Conde Nast, with layoffs said to be in double-digits, ranging from fact checkers all the way up to senior editors. Additional staffers at the magazine are expected to be cut from the contributing editor ranks. New York Magazine Not for Sale, CEO Says Advertising Age New York magazine will not go up for sale, despite the death of owner Bruce Wasserstein last week, according to company CEO Anup Bagaria. "There will be no change in ownership." The company, New York Media, will continue to be controlled by a Wasserstein family trust. NY Times: Circulation Surpasses Advertising New York Times For the first time, circulation revenue in the New York Times' media group, which includes the New York Times, is eclipsing advertising revenue, reversing the order at most newspapers. The change suggests that the Times could charge readers more. Tribune Ex-Editors Launching News Venture Chicago Tribune Former top Tribune newspaper editors Jim O'Shea and Jim Warren are launching the nonprofit Chicago News Cooperative, a venture that will provide Chicago-related news for the New York Times. The venture also plans to launch a Web site, called Chicago Scoop, in January. Newspaper, Internet Titans Duel at Web 2.0 AFP Wall Street Journal managing editor Robert Thomson accused Google of promoting online news reading "promiscuity," in a heated discussion at the Web 2.0 Summit. New York Times digital head Martin Nisenholtz says the Huffington Post is "guilty" of copyright theft. Newsday.com Moves to Subscriber Model Newsday Newsday, in a move it describes as a "pioneering Web model," plans to charge a $5 weekly fee for access to most of the content on its Web site, unless visitors are subscribers of the newspaper or customers of parent Cablevision's Optimum Online service. NY Times Goes Local With Bay Area Blog VentureBeat The New York Times is unveiling the online side of its local news initiative in San Francisco with a new blog called The Bay Area. The Times began its Bay Area-aimed publishing effort Friday, with extra pages in the print edition. The blog aims to "complement" print. Craigslist 'Can't Be Sued' for User Conduct Chicago Sun-Times A federal judge is throwing out Illinois sheriff Tom Dart's lawsuit seeking to force Craigslist to pull online ads that he claims sell sex. Ads offering "adult services" aren't explicitly offering sex, the judge says. Craigslist is merely an "intermediary" and is not "culpable." Conde Nast Ax Swings at Traveler, AD, Allure New York Post Conde Nast's latest layoffs are impacting the staffs of Conde Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest and Allure magazines. In addition, Nancy Berger Cardone, publisher of the now-defunct Gourmet, is said to be leaving the company. Next up for its share of cuts is GQ. Wikipedia Chief Eyes 'Personalized' Magazines Reuters Jimmy Wales, founder of the user-edited online Wikipedia, is partnering with Hewlett Packard in a project that will enable users to create personal magazines using content from Wikia sites. Using HP's MagCloud, users will be able to print their own on-demand mags. Consumers Won't Pay for News on the Web Media Week UK Nine in 10 U.K. consumers say they will never pay for news stories online, regardless of how cheap they are, according to a study from Global Web Index. Of those aged 16 to 24, 86% will never pay, while in the 45 to 54 age sector, 96% say they will not pay. E Ink, Texas Tech Firm Eye E-Newspapers Boston Globe E Ink, a supplier of e-paper display technologies for such e-readers as Amazon's Kindle, is entering a collaboration with Freescale Semiconductor of Texas that is "expected to spark innovation for emerging product categories, such as e-newspapers." WSJ to Roll Out Pricier 'Professional Edition' Reuters The Wall Street Journal plans to launch a pricier version called "The Wall Street Journal Professional Edition," which will include reports from Dow Jones Newswires, information from Dow Jones' Factiva, and other data. The offering will present "sophisticated, deeper" information. LA Times May See Another Round of Layoffs Reuters Another round of layoffs is expected in the Los Angeles Times newsroom, sources say. A few dozen staffers could get their walking papers this week, though another source cautions that amount may be too extreme. A Times spokeswoman declines to comment. BusinessWeek Editor in Chief Adler to Exit New York Post Steve Adler, BusinessWeek's editor-in-chief, plans to leave in December when Bloomberg completes its takeover of the magazine. "I'm not ready to talk about what my next steps are," he says. Adler's deputy, executive editor Ellen Pollock, will likely also exit. Playboy to Combine Issues, Cut Rate Base Mediaweek Playboy is slashing its rate base 38% as it battles advertising and circulation declines. The magazine also will combine its January and February issues after doing the same with its July and August issues this summer. The company has hinted at the possibility of a sale of the title. Wenner Names Steele Editor of Us Weekly New York Post Jann Wenner is taking away the "acting" from Michael Steele's title, officially crowning him the new editor-in-chief of Us Weekly and official successor to Janice Min. Steele is not thought to have won anything close to Min's salary, estimated to be in the $1.5 million to $2 million range. Conde Nast's Daily Firings Dampen Morale NYP / NYO Bon Appetit and Details are the latest Conde Nast titles to lay off staff. The constant drip, drip, drip of firings is said to be sending company morale through the floor. Also: "How long will there be print magazines? I don't know," says Conde Nast editorial head Tom Wallace. P&G to Pay $10,000 to Bathroom Bloggers Cincinnati Business Procter & Gamble is seeking five people who will spend five weeks in a Charmin-branded, Manhattan bathroom and blog about the experience for $10,000. The five "Charmin Embassadors" will be required to work in restrooms in Times Square and "interact" with guests. Conde Nast Cuts: Glamour, Wired, Style.com NYP / FWD Glamour and Wired are the latest Conde Nast magazines to lay off staff amid severe cost-cutting at the publisher. Also: Layoffs are hitting Conde Nast Digital, affecting some of Style.com's marquee editors. By year end, Conde Nast's workforce could be down by 500 people. NY Times to Eliminate 100 Newsroom Jobs New York Times The New York Times plans to eliminate 100 newsroom jobs, or about 8% of the total, by year's end, offering buyouts and resorting to layoffs if it cannot get enough people to leave voluntarily. The advertising drop pummeling the newspaper industry has forced the cuts. Charlotte Observer Looks to Cut News Staff Charlotte Business The Charlotte Observer is offering a voluntary buyout program to many of its employees, including most newsroom staffers. "It's about a sluggish economy," says publisher Ann Caulkins. "We just aren't seeing improvement." The McClatchy newspaper cut 60 jobs in March. USA Today's Parent Profit Plummets 53% Washington Post Gannett's third-quarter profit plunged 53% from a year earlier, but the results still beat analysts' forecasts, a sign of how low expectations are for the battered newspaper industry. "We finished the quarter on a stronger note," asserts CEO Craig Dubow. Boston Herald to Charge for Online Content Boston Herald The Boston Herald could charge for access to its Web site as soon as next year, according to owner Pat Purcell. Pay walls are necessary in order to "support journalism," he says. "Everyone in the newspaper industry recognizes that we're headed to online subscriptions.” Washington Post Redesigns for Reading Ease Associated Press The Washington Post is introducing a larger typeface and more graphics in its bid to make the print edition easier to read. In recognition of the digital world, "we're using more graphics and visual elements to tell big, complex stories," says top editor Marcus Brauchli. Financial Times Continues to Face Weak Market Guardian Pearson says the Financial Times newspaper "continued to face a weak market for financial and corporate advertising in the third quarter, but it is benefiting from its long-term strategy of earning premium revenues from users for valued content in print and online." Newspaper Column Sparks Outrage on Twitter Associated Press Britain's Press Complaints Commission received 21,000 complaints about a column in the Daily Mail on the death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately after critics used Twitter to brand the article homophobic and insensitive. Gately's death was described as "not natural." Technorati: Many Bloggers Are Getting Paid BusinessWeek Blog tracker Technorati is releasing a report on the state of blogging, and it appears that a respectable number of bloggers out there manage to eek out a living. Some 13% of bloggers surveyed do blogging full time. Another 15% blog to supplement their income. NYT, WSJ to Exploit Weaker Newspapers Dow Jones San Francisco will be a test ground for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal as the rivals launch editions aiming to steal market share from beleaguered local newspapers. "National papers aren't facing the same declines that your typical metro daily is." WSJ to Expand Live Web Video News Show Beet.TV The Wall Street Journal's twice daily, eight-minute online video show, The News Hub, originating from the newspaper's newsroom, plans to increase its frequency. Live news will become an "important part of what we do," says Alan Murray, Journal online executive editor. Pay News Web Sites 'Unlikely' to Succeed Smarthouse Online news sites that aspire to charge users are unlikely to be successful, according to a study in Australia by Nielsen. News consumers "are not brand loyal." A single provider introducing a paid-for model will likely result in "the provider being taken out of the competitive mix." Sun-Times Investor List Raises Eyebrows Chicago Tribune Financier Jim Tyree is releasing the names of 10 co-investors in his $26 million rescue bid for the Sun-Times Media Group, parent of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. Among them: William and Robert Parrillo, whose father did legal work for Al Capone. Newspapers Find 'Some Relief' from Slump Bloomberg Tribune, New York Times and Hearst report that marketing spending is rebounding from carmakers such as General Motors. Still, while national auto advertising "may be coming back a little," analysts say, "classified auto ads and local retailers fell off a cliff." U.S. Government 'Should Subsidize' News New York Times Columbia University's Journalism School is issuing a report, "The Reconstruction of American Journalism," which includes six recommendations. Among them: The U.S. government should start funding local news, much in the way it helps the arts. Bloomberg, BusinessWeek to Merge Bureaus WWD / The Wrap Bloomberg and its new acquisition, BusinessWeek. have bureaus in the same cities, so each one will now be combined, says new BW chief Norm Pearlstine. Also: Will there be firings? "The quick answer is we don't know." Conde Nast's Latest Cuts: Vanity Fair, W Mediaweek More layoffs hit Conde Nast on Friday, this time at Vanity Fair and W. Vanity Fair lost a handful from the business side while W cut about seven people in sales and marketing. More title-by-title headcount cuts at Conde Nast are expected through the end of this week. Gourmet's Reichl Sees Death of Print Mags New York Observer Ruth Reichl, editor of the shuttered Gourmet, says she plans to write a book about her former employer, Conde Nast. "It's a life that is probably coming to an end." Print magazines "as we know them will cease to exist," she predicts. The magazine experience will "move to another platform." E-Readers May Enliven Traditional Magazines Mediaweek / AllThingsD While magazine-friendly e-readers are months away, industry execs are hoping that such devices will bring their content to life in new ways. Video is a huge area of interest. E-readers also could let magazines become e-commerce tools by embedding retailer links in spreads. Gawker: Checkbook Blogging 'Hard to Measure' All Things D The gossip blog Gawker is paying Robert Thomas, an associate of the father of the so-called "balloon boy," for his story that he helped plan the media hoax. But does checkbook blogging pay off? "Hard to measure profitability," admits Gawker CEO Nick Denton. 'Mommy Bloggers' Rule at Blog Convention AFP At this weekend's BlogWorld Expo, women who blog about their family life are commanding more than a dozen special sessions and are intensely sought after by the corporate marketers stalking the event. "This shows the power of the blog and the power of moms." AP Photo in Obama Poster in New Fracas Associated Press Artist Shepard Fairey's claim that he had the right to use a news photo to create his famous Barack Obama "Hope" poster became a widely watched court case about "fair use." However, his attorneys plan to withdraw from the case saying the artist fabricated information. Conde Nast Cuts Staff at Golf, Media Groups New York Post Golf Digest and Golf World magazines are the latest casualties of Conde Nast's cost cuts. The two titles are losing 19 employees, bringing the job cuts to more than 200 since last week. Also, positions are said to have been cut in the Conde Nast Media Group. The Knot to Increase Frequency as Rivals Fold Associated Press Bridal magazine The Knot will increase its frequency from semiannual to four times per year beginning in 2010. The move comes as Conde Nast is shuttering two of its wedding magazines, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride. Conde Nast continues to publish Brides. ESPN's Body Issue: Viagra for Subscriptions The Wrap ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue, featuring near-nude athletes, generated 400 new subscriptions in the two hours following its publication, says general manager Gary Hoenig. The Body Issue hopes to rival Sports Illustrated's lucrative Swimsuit Issue franchise. Penthouse Parent Going for IPO This Year MinOnline FriendFinder Networks, formerly Penthouse Media Group, says it will follow through on a plan announced last year for an IPO. FriendFinder owns a wide range of adult properties, including Penthouse magazine and adult social network AdultFriendFinder. Gannett CEO Dubow Returns 'Feeling Good' Washington Business Gannett CEO Craig Dubow is back on the job after a medical leave of absence for back surgery this summer. "I feel very good about my personal health and the company's," he says. Gannett's USA Today recently lost its longtime standing as the No. 1 U.S. newspaper. NY Times Launches Edition in San Francisco New York Times The New York Times is rolling out an edition in San Francisco on Friday, reaching the market before a planned Wall Street Journal edition for the Bay Area, which is due later this fall. The Times is also considering a local edition for Chicago as well as other markets. Boston Globe May See Additional Job Cuts Associated Press The New York Times Co. CEO Janet Robinson cites employees of the Boston Globe for helping improve its financial condition enough to drop plans to sell the newspaper. However, the Globe still needs to bring in more revenue and she declines to rule out job cuts. Washington Post Online Bested by HuffPost Editor & Publisher In a surprising shift, the Huffington Post surpassed WashingtonPost.com in unique users in September, according to Nielsen Online. HuffPost was up 26% year-over-year to 9.4 million uniques, while uniques at the WashingtonPost.com dropped almost 30% to 9.2 million. Gawker Chief: We're Not Running a Newspaper The Awl Gawker blog publisher Nick Denton is adding Twitter-like tags to postings to attract more commenters as he writes in a memo that his sites aim to avoid the "slow" publishing schedules of "ponderous" newspapers. "We should publish" first, he says, then follow up later with the "facts." Aggregators All the Rage Among Old Media New York Observer Hearst, the Atlantic and the New York Times are among the traditional media businesses eyeing new online news aggregation services, even as Rupert Murdoch and the Associated Press decry such efforts as thievery. "It's a low-cost business," says Hearst's George Kliavkoff. Wasserstein's Death May Bring Sale of NY Mag New York Post New York magazine's future may be in peril following the death of owner Bruce Wasserstein. "There is a good chance it will go into play," says one exec of the money-losing title. New York magazine was seen as a vanity purchase when Wasserstein bought it five years ago. NY Times Takes Boston Globe Off the Market Boston Globe The New York Times Co. says it has decided not to sell the Boston Globe, citing improvement in the Globe's financial standing. However, the Times' speedy rejection of the bids it received suggests that the offers were "not sufficient" to go forward with a sale, observers say. WSJ's Boost to No. 1 Aided by Pay Web Site Politico The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday celebrated its ascension to the position of the top-circulated U.S. newspaper, surpassing longtime No. 1 USA Today. The Journal factored in paid online subscriptions in its circulation figures, which it is permitted to do. Bloomberg Preps Strategy for BusinessWeek The Wrap Why did Bloomberg buy BusinessWeek? According to one exec, the combination of Bloomberg.com and BusinessWeek.com will create the largest business-oriented news site, which will appeal to advertisers. Also, Bloomberg-BusinessWeek creates "clear content synergies." Conde Nast Layoffs Reach Vogue Magazine AllThingsD Conde Nast execs are continuing to swing the layoff ax. The latest cuts are at Vogue, where at least six people are said to have been let go. Still more layoffs are expected. A Conde Nast spokeswoman says: "We have no further comment on the subject." Time Inc Seeks Consortium for Digital Fight Mediaweek Magazine publishers must unify behind a digital storefront, says Time Inc. exec John Squires, who aims to join with Conde Nast, Hearst and Meredith to sell digital editions for e-readers. An announcement of an entity representing such a storefront is said to be weeks away. Magazine Conference Eyes Nonprint Revenue WWD The American Magazine Conference's rebranded Magazine Innovation Summit on Wednesday featured panelists focused mostly on nonprint revenue streams. The Knot CEO David Liu warned: "If you're not pursuing a niche strategy, you're not going to be here in five years." Magazines: 'The Twenty Tweetable Truths' MPA / Mr Mag The Magazine Publishers of America is releasing a video highlighting "The Twenty Tweetable Truths About Magazines." Among them: "Magazine readers don't pay to avoid the advertising as they do with other media." Also: Unlike Twitter, magazines never reach "over capacity." The Daily Beast Experiments with Online Ads Financial Times Tina Brown's The Daily Beast news site is testing "sponsored interviews" and other new online advertising initiatives. But are they effective? "It's not yet in evidence," admits backer Barry Diller. He adds that he hopes they will find out for sure "before we run out of money." Thomson Reuters to Acquire Breakingviews Wall Street Journal Thomson Reuters plans to acquire Breakingviews, a syndicated financial commentary site. The deal is valued at about $15 million to $20 million. Breakingviews was co-founded in 1999 by Hugo Dixon, a former editor at the Financial Times. Dow Jones owns a stake of less than 10%. Study: Consumers Unlikely to Pay for Content CNBC Most consumers say they would be "extremely unlikely" to pay for online content, says a new study co-authored by Omnicom's PHD Media. Also, consumers "don't care" about the brand. Some 44% say they access a publication's Web site via a search engine. Magazine Execs Gather to Study 'Innovation' The Wrap The American Magazine Conference, the annual glitzy industry pow-wow, this year is being replaced with Magazine Innovation Summit, a more modest business-style event, which kicks off Wednesday in New York. Among the sessions: "Who Pays for Content?" HuffPost May Compete for Magazine Award New York Times The American Society of Magazine Editors, which bestows the annual National Magazine Awards, is adding 12 categories in online media. They include mobile media and podcasting. If the Huffington Post defines itself as a magazine, "we would accept the entry." Conde Nast: Cookie Staff Crumbles at Brides New York Post Brides magazine advertisers are said to be "jumping ship," causing the title to hemorrhage ad pages. The unrest, an insider says, is due to owner Conde Nast's "arrogant" move to replace the Brides ad-sales team with staffers from the newly shuttered Cookie. Weekly World News Online Signs with CAA Hollywood Reporter Weekly World News, the former American Media supermarket tabloid, is signing a representation deal with CAA. Also, DreamWorks is developing a television show that will tap into the company's library of characters, such as Bat Boy. Weekly World News went online-only in 2007. Atlantic to Launch Web Site for Business News AOL Daily Finance A month ago, Atlantic Media announced it had hired Slate founder Michael Kinsley to launch a "new digital media property." That property, Kinsley now reveals, will be a Web site covering business news. The yet-to-be-named site is scheduled to launch in January. Hearst's SF Chronicle Upgrades Its E-dition San Francisco Business The San Francisco Chronicle is setting up a new electronic edition of the newspaper with the help of software firm Tecnavia. The e-dition is an exact replica of the printed paper. Articles can be translated into 11 languages and readers can hear the stories read aloud. Tribune to Shrink All Company Newspapers News & Tech Tribune will narrow the web width of all its newspapers to 44 inches by 2010. The Baltimore Sun is the first Tribune daily to have its width reduced. It will be joined over the next several months by the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times and others. Newhouses to Cut More Jobs at Star-Ledger New York Observer One year ago, the Newhouses threatened to close down the Star-Ledger, unless the Newark, N.J., newspaper's union agreed to cut the newsroom by 40%. The union complied. On Monday, the Star-Ledger announced that the paper now needs to cut 50 more jobs. Star Tribune Drops Saturday Newsstand Edition Minneapolis Business The Star Tribune plans to drop its Saturday newsstand edition, replacing it with an early Sunday edition, the Minneapolis newspaper says. The new early Sunday Star Tribune will include Saturday's news sections with the Sunday comics. "It's really a win-win for everyone." Bloomberg Buys BusinessWeek for Under $5M BusinessWeek Bloomberg is the winning bidder for BusinessWeek, in a sale estimated to be under $5 million. Bloomberg has agreed to assume liabilities including potential severance payments. It remains to be seen how much of the magazine's 400-plus staff may be cut. Sun-Times Media Deal Stalled by Type Union Chicago Tribune Sun-Times Media's largest union, the Chicago Newspaper Guild, agreed to terms of Jim Tyree's bid to save the company from extinction last week. However, the six-member Chicago Typographical Union now says it doesn't want to give up lifetime job rights. Print Ads Going the Way of the Dinosaur? Austin Business Print media is getting its share of negative headlines. But despite industry troubles, many advertising experts still believe print will continue to play an important role in an advertisers' overall marketing mix -- especially for media groups that "expand what they are doing." NY Times Metro Desk Cancels Subscriptions New York Observer The metro desk at the New York Times is cancelling all subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. Staffers' subscriptions will no longer be reimbursed. "You all know how tight budgets have become," says a memo to employees. "They are getting tighter." BusinessWeek Sale Talks Focus on Severance Wall Street Journal Bloomberg LP is still seen as the front-runner to buy BusinessWeek. Final-stage talks are said to be focused on whether McGraw-Hill or the new owner will be responsible for paying severance to the BusinessWeek staffers expected to lose their jobs after a sale. New York Magazine Returns to Trade Group Advertising Age New York magazine is rejoining the Magazine Publishers of America, the leading U.S. industry trade organization, after sitting out 2009 and focusing its energies elsewhere. Large magazine groups Hachette Filipacchi Media and American Media remain drop outs. Target Opens Online Magazine Newsstand Reuters Target, the U.S. retailer, is now offering a magazine newsstand on its Web site, selling e-versions by digital publisher Zinio. The titles, ranging from Elle to Woman's Day to Esquire, look like the print magazines they are replacing. Zinio and Target will share revenues. Why Doesn't Murdoch Stop Google's 'Theft'? Newsweek Rupert Murdoch and Tom Curley complain that Google is a thief. But, anyone can remove their sites from Google's results with just "a few keystrokes," writes Weston Kosova. "Yet neither AP nor News Corp. has taken this simple step. Why? Because they know that their traffic would dry up overnight." WSJ: We're No. 1 as USA Today Declines Wall Street Journal USA Today, long the largest U.S. newspaper by weekday circulation, is expected to drop to No. 2. The paper has been hit by a slowdown in business travel, which diminishes its strength in copies sold to hotels. The Wall Street Journal is set to become the largest paper. Sun-Times Buyer 'Ambivalent' About Print Chicago Tribune Financier Jim Tyree, who is set to acquire the bankrupt Sun-Times Media, parent of the Chicago Sun-Times, admits that he is "ambivalent" about the future of print media. "Whether it's Internet or Kindles or Blackberrys, the key and core of this is content." New York Owner Wasserstein is Hospitalized Reuters Lazard chief Bruce Wasserstein is said to be stable after being taken to the hospital in "serious" condition for an irregular heartbeat. The legendary dealmaker, 61, who owns New York magazine, recently dropped out of the bidding to acquire BusinessWeek from McGraw-Hill. Conde Nast: Newhouse Clan Fill Money Pit New York Post The Newhouse family is being forced to underwrite the losses at Conde Nast, which is one of the reasons for last week's magazine shutdowns and layoffs. Chief Si Newhouse Jr. "hates to lose money that he wasn't planning to spend. It's not just Si now. It's the family trust." Magazine Biz Gets Black Eye from Conde Cuts Mediaweek In the wake of the upheaval at Conde Nast, all magazines will get a harder look, media buyers say. "It makes you think about magazines across the board." Magazines "as a discussion topic have fallen way down the list. It's social, search, mobile." Glamour, GQ Launch 'Truly Madly' Dating Site Vogue.co.uk Conde Nast International is launching its first dating Web site, Truly Madly Dating, supported by Glamour.com and GQ.com. The new site, which already boasts thousands of profiles, aims to "unite glamorous girls with GQ-reading boys to create matches made in style heaven." Martha Streamlines at Body + Soul Magazine WWD Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is joining the list of media companies streamlining their operations. Body + Soul publisher Janesse Thaw Bruce is leaving the company and will not be replaced. Instead, MSLO will be overseen by group publisher Sally Preston. Playboy's 'Simpsons' Cover for Youth Crowd Associated Press Marge Simpson is posing for the cover of Playboy, in honor of the 20th anniversary of "The Simpsons." The cover is designed to attract younger readers, says the magazine, which is seeing a drop in circulation. "We knew that this would appeal to the 20-something crowd." Murdoch: 'Content Kleptomaniacs' Must Pay Associated Press The Associated Press' Tom Curley and Rupert Murdoch of News Corp., speaking at the World Media Summit in Beijing, insist it is time for search engines and bloggers to pay for content. Otherwise, Murdoch warns, "content kleptomaniacs" will triumph over content creators. Hearst Launches News Aggregation Site TechCrunch Hearst is launching an automated news aggregation site called LMK (Let Me Know), pulling in news and photos from "authoritative" sources. LMK plans to launch channels for a wide range of subjects -- from financial news to medicine -- and has only one full-time employee. Conde Nast Axes Digital Jobs as Cuts Continue Mediaweek The layoff toll continues to rise at Conde Nast, where more than 15 people are being let go from the company's digital unit, mostly in sales. Insiders expect further reductions to come next week. Along with staff cuts, some magazines are expected to reduce their frequency. Time Inc Employees Fear Layoffs, EW Demise WWD Staffers at Time Inc. are bracing for another round of job cuts -- and many are pondering the future of Entertainment Weekly. But Time Inc. is shooting down rumors about the magazine: "There are no plans to close EW or turn it into only an online property." Bloomberg Won't Take On BusinessWeek Staff WWD Bloomberg LP remains the front-runner to buy BusinessWeek, although the company is expected to only take on the BusinessWeek name and Web site -- and none of its staff. The editorial staff of Bloomberg Markets magazine is expected to be used at the acquired title. Dennis to Launch Its Own Online Ad Network New Media Age Maxim publisher Dennis Publishing is launching an advertising network as part of plans to boost online revenues. CEO James Tye says: "One of our biggest competitors now isn't necessarily competing brands but the ad networks. So let's become an ad network ourselves." Craigslist in Legal Battle Against Spammers New York Times Craigslist is suing Red Trumpet, a San Francisco company that runs the Web site Craigsup, and several individuals for allegedly infringing the online classifieds site's copyright and trademark. Their tools "facilitate illegal uses of Craigslist's classified services." Boston Phoenix Publisher Sues Facebook Boston Business The publisher of the Boston Phoenix newspaper is firing a legal salvo across the bow of Facebook, accusing the social network of siphoning away its revenue. A new lawsuit alleges Facebook infringed on a subsidiary's patent to publish personal pages for online dating. Sun Times Media Sale Wins Approval by Judge Chicago Sun-Times James Tyree, chairman of Mesirow Financial, is scheduled to be the next owner of the Chicago Sun-Times and most of the leading newspapers in the Chicago suburbs. Tyree says he is convinced there is still a business model to build around "high-quality, focused local content." News Corp Relocates WSJ Printing to NY Post News & Tech News Corp. will consolidate the bulk of the printing of Dow Jones' Wall Street Journal and Barron's at the New York Post plant in the Bronx, effective early next year. Once the press expansion is complete, Dow Jones will close its plant in South Brunswick, N.J. Murdoch Staffers Doubt Rupert's Web Plan Evening Standard Rupert Murdoch is on a quest to charge people for access to his Web sites. But in the offices of his London newspapers, there are reports of consternation about the building of pay walls. One senior exec says: "None of us can see how charging for content will work in practice." Sun-Times in Deal That Could Ease Sale Crain's Chicago Sun-Times Media Group and the union that represents newsroom employees have reached a tentative agreement regarding pay cuts and other concessions, which could pave the way for the company's sale to financier James Tyree. "I am very happy," Tyree says. Reuters, Bloomberg Vie for BusinessWeek Globe and Mail BusinessWeek magazine is at the center of a battle between two of the biggest players in financial information, as Thomson Reuters backs private equity fund Zelnick Media, which is vying with Bloomberg LP for control of the 80-year-old McGraw-Hill magazine. Conde Nast Lays Off Staffers at Brides New York Observer About a dozen people are being laid off at Brides magazine, the only Conde Nast bridal title left standing after the company's elimination of Modern Bride and Elegant Bride on Monday. This week's total of layoffs at Conde Nast has been bumped up to about 192. Hachette Replaces Editor with Brand Boss Mediaweek Hachette Filipacchi Media CEO Alain Lemarchand continues to roll out his brand-centric approach across the company. Cycle World's VP, editor in chief David Edwards is being replaced by Mark Hoyer in the new role of VP, brand content and editor in chief. P&G to Launch Custom Beauty Magazine Advertising Age Procter & Gamble is bringing Rouge, its free Canadian custom-published beauty magazine, to the United States. P&G to plans to build its database by relying on mommy bloggers to spread the word about the new magazine. Also, Rougemag.com will roll out later this fall. Bonnier to Acquire Conceive Magazine Orlando Business Bonnier is acquiring Conceive magazine, which features stories on health, fertility and conception. Founder Kim Hahn will continue as editor. Conceive is the fourth Bonnier acquisition in the past 12 months. Bonnier publishes 50 special-interest magazines. Playboy Eyes New Clubs, Magazine Cuts Chicago Tribune Playboy CEO Scott Flanders says he plans to seek new revenues from product licensing and nightclubs. New Playboy clubs will open around the world over the next few years. Meanwhile, Playboy magazine may see drastic cuts in frequency, circulation and pages. Murdoch in Asia: Eyeing E-Reader Partners Reuters News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch is holding talks with Japanese and South Korean firms, possibly sounding out potential partners to rival Amazon's Kindle electronic reader, sources say. Murdoch has said he was unhappy with Amazon's control of subscriber relationships. Major Publishers Unite to Create E-Reader New York Post Time Inc., Hearst, Conde Nast and possibly Meredith are said to be just weeks away from announcing a joint venture to create a new e-reader for magazines and newspapers. The companies are trying to develop both hardware and software for the new project. AP Mulls Charging Customers for Early News Associated Press The Associated Press is considering whether to sell news stories to some online customers exclusively for a certain period of time, says CEO Tom Curley. "There can be exclusives given. Those who get access to content might get an exclusive for, oh, 20 or 30 minutes." Conde Nast Sees Digital Future, More Cuts New York Observer Conde Nast CEO Chuck Townsend is giving hope to readers and staffers alike that some semblance of the just-folded magazines might live online. "We hope to announce initiatives to develop digital versions." Meanwhile: There may be a "trickle" of more cuts. Conde Nast: Magazines May Cut Frequency New York Post The carnage is continuing at Conde Nast, with Details publisher Steve DeLuca getting the heave-ho amid rumors that another game of publisher musical chairs is about to begin. Also, at least three magazines are said to be considering cutting frequency to shave budgets. Playboy Names President, Will Keep Magazine Reuters Playboy is naming company veteran Alex Vaickus as president, a new position. He will report to CEO Scott Flanders, who will now focus on a "strategic repositioning" of the company. Says Flanders: "Over my dead body will we quit producing the magazine." BusinessWeek: Bidders Are Dropping Out Reuters Both New York Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman and private-equity firm OpenGate Capital are said to have dropped out of the bidding contest for BusinessWeek magazine. Bloomberg LP is emerging as the clear winner for the struggling, 80-year-old McGraw-Hill title. The Economist to Restrict Free Web Access Financial Times The Economist plans to restrict the number of articles its readers can access online for free in the latest sign that publishers are moving toward charging for online content. Non-subscribers will no longer be able to access the magazine's current issue online for free. ESPN 'Body Issue' Covers Hit the Internet Sporting News Images are starting to roll out for the cover of ESPN the Magazine's Body Issue of athletes posing semi-nude. The six covers hitting newsstands this week feature Gina Carano, Serena Williams, Adrian Peterson, Dwight Howard, Clair Bevilacqua and Sara Reinersten. Sun-Times Bidder Claims He Was Blocked Chicago Tribune A day after a court-appointed deadline for offers, hedge-fund manager Thane Ritchie says he wants to team with unions at Sun-Times Media Group to bid on the bankrupt Chicago company. Ritchie claims he had been "wrongly blocked" from meeting with union reps on a bid. Conde Nast Mulls Digital as It Closes Titles Financial Times Conde Nast will shut four magazines -- Gourmet, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, and Cookie -- in a cost-cutting move amid steep advertising declines. About 180 jobs will be lost. CEO Chuck Townsend says the company plans to announce "a number of digital initiatives." Magazines: More Shutdowns Are Expected New York Post Conde Nast's magazine shutdowns may be the first of many, as other publishers take stock of the imploding advertising market. Reed Phillips of media investment bank DeSilva + Phillips predicts other publishers will follow suit. Conde Nast's move "gives them some cover." Hachette Rumored to Shop U.S. Elle Magazine WWD Conde Nast is not alone in seeking to right-size its business. Talk is resurfacing about Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. shopping Elle magazine. The publisher is said to be looking for a licensing deal with either Hearst or Time Inc. Hachette denies it is looking to dump the title. Bloomberg Seeks BusinessWeek for Growth Crain's New York Bloomberg LP's pursuit of BusinessWeek is seen as an effort by the company -- best known for data terminals used by Wall Streeters -- to expand into consumer media. Bloomberg is regarded as the front-runner; the winning bid is expected to be announced this week. SF Chronicle to Publish on Glossy Paper News & Tech Hearst's San Francisco Chronicle plans to run up to 12 supercalendered pages per press run beginning in November, becoming the first U.S. daily to use glossy paper as a regular production component. Advertisers are "extremely excited" about the glossy pages. NY Times Rolls Out New Custom RSS Tool Editor & Publisher The New York Times is promoting another online way to access its information -- a new RSS feed for use when searching its archives and story files that keeps track of content from a specific subject. The new Custom Times Feeds tool is "simple, customizable." Sun-Times Deadline Passes: No New Bidders Chicago Tribune Monday's bid deadline came and went with no new suitors emerging to challenge financier Jim Tyree's $26 million "stalking-horse" bid for Chicago's Sun-Times Media. Tyree's bid will be the only option on the table when a bankruptcy court takes up the issue Thursday. Murdoch Seeks Support for Web Pay Plan Wall Street Journal Devising strategies to cope with challenges posed by Internet advertising and free online access to news is paramount, says News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch. His company is "making huge efforts" to seek support for charging for news online from other industry players "all over the world." Rupert: Meet My Journalists for $80 a Year Independent Rupert Murdoch's Times newspapers in Britain are launching Times+, a program that gives members access to special offers, events and meetings with the titles' journalists for about $80 a year. The effort "redefines" relationships with readers and "rewards their loyalty." HuffPost to Expand Into Oprah's Territory Mediaweek The Huffington Post is launching a books section anchored by an Oprah-esque book club led by CEO Arianna Huffington -- dubbed "Arianna's Reading." The section also features advance reviews from the New York Review of Books as part of a content-sharing deal. People Leads Magazines in Twitter Followers MinOnline Magazines are capitalizing on the Twitter trend: People.com saw a 150% increase in referrals from Twitter from April through August. The Time Inc. title is expanding is brand online with the new PeoplePets.com, which already attracts 700,000 Twitter followers. Time Inc Aims to Create Hulu for Magazines Financial Times Time Inc. is in talks with Conde Nast and Hearst about a joint venture to create a digital store for magazines and possibly newspapers. The yet unnamed service is planned for 2010. Readers will be allowed to "personalize material and dive deeply into subjects." Google: We Need Newspapers to Survive Search Engine Land Newspapers will decline but won't die, says Google CEO Eric Schmidt. "We need these content partners to survive. We need their content. We are not in the content business." He adds that mobile devices will come to deliver news supported by advertising formats that "people will like." New Yorker Gets 'Money' Help from Bank Forbes HSBC Bank USA is sponsoring the Oct 12 money-themed issue of The New Yorker, which features three illustrated "money" covers on each magazine. The Conde Nast publication says the deal, estimated at $1 million, is a "signal of a turnaround" in advertising. Finke: Hollywood Manipulated New Yorker Deadline The New Yorker's profile of online journalist Nikki Finke is "hardly insightful," writes the so-called "most feared woman in Hollywood." Nonetheless, publicists successfully had references to big-name clients removed from the piece. The magazine "bent over for Hollywood." Martha in $3M Lawsuit Over Magazine Firing New York Post Pei Hsieh, a former art director for Martha Stewart Living magazine, says she was fired for complaining about an Asian stereotype set to appear in print, according to a $3 million suit. A lampshade was described as resembling the "Asian conical-shaped hats worn by laborers." Craigslist Wins First Salvo in eBay Lawsuit Associated Press Craigslist has won a preliminary ruling in a legal battle with eBay. A judge is granting summary judgment to Craigslist on claims alleging that founder Craig Newmark and CEO Jim Buckmaster improperly granted themselves broad indemnifications against legal liabilities in 2007. Tribune Seen Unlikely to Bid for Sun-Times Chicago Tribune By 5 p.m. Monday, Chicago's Sun-Times Media Group will know whether other buyers have emerged to challenge financier Jim Tyree's $26.5 million offer for the newspaper company. Despite rumors that rival Tribune might launch a surprise bid, sources say that isn't likely. London Standard Takes Risk on Free Model BBC News The London Evening Standard, after 181 years, will now be given away for free at newsstands, which the British newspaper describes as a "pioneering strategy." Owner Alexander Lebedev reckons that it will be so successful that he is "sure" others newspaper publishers will follow. U.S. Newspapers to 'Fight Back' This Week Times and Democrat National Newspaper Week is kicking off in the United States. The annual event, sponsored by the Newspaper Association Managers, gives newspapers the opportunity to promote their vital role. Some might ask what papers have to celebrate, due to their many challenges. Murdoch Going to Battle Against the Web Vanity Fair Rupert Murdoch is bent on making readers pay for online newspaper journalism, writes Michael Wolff. But almost all Internet experts think that charging for general-interest news online is "rubbish ... bonkers ... a crock ... a form of madness," in the words of the Guardian's Emily Bell. AOL Aims to Take On Local Newspapers Atlantic AOL CEO Tim Armstrong is rolling out a network of hyperlocal news sites under the brand name Patch. Each Patch site focuses on a medium-sized town and "feels like a local newspaper," he says. AOL is hiring journalists in each of the towns. "We see a lot of opportunity here." Rocky Mountain Site to Cease New Content Denver Business The Rocky Mountain Independent, an attempt by former Rocky Mountain News staffers to start an online news publication, says it will stop producing new content. In a letter sent to its subscribers, the site's owners say: "The economic reality is that we cannot produce enough." WaPo, Bloomberg Team for News Service Washington Post The Washington Post and Bloomberg News are entering a wide-ranging partnership that will include a joint news service and a combined online page of business news. The partnership comes months after the Post, in a cost-cutting move, folded its business section. Philly Newspapers' Creditors Seek Control Philadelphia Daily News Philadelphia Newspapers wants a bankruptcy judge to prohibit its major creditors from using credit bidding to go after the papers at a proposed auction later this year. Lawyers for the papers' creditors describe the move as an effort by insiders to maintain their control. TV Guide Eliminates Jobs in Cost Cutting MinOnline Publisher Pete Haeffner is leaving TV Guide along with four sales and marketing colleagues in a cost-cutting move by owner Open Gate Capital. The sales and marketing responsibilities for the beleaguered title are expected to be turned over to consultants. Maxim Taps Non-Publishing Pro as Leader WWD Alpha Media Group is naming Paul Miller as interim CEO until it can hire a permanent leader for Maxim, Maxim.com and Blender.com. Miller formerly headed firearms outfit Freedom Group and Velocita Wireless. CEO Stephen Duggan stepped down in September. Felix Dennis to Take Men's Magazine Global Press Gazette Dennis Publishing is entering a partnership with American Media to expand monthly magazine Men's Fitness by launching a number of international editions. The two publishers will look to make content from the magazine available to licensees looking to launch in new territories. News Access 'Wildly Unequal' in United States Washington Post A growing hunger for information is "being met unequally," raising the specter of two Americas -- one wired, the other not so much, says a Knight Commission report. Newspapers need new business models, notes Google exec Marissa Mayer, but "the solution isn't coming." Wenner Drops Conde Nast-Hearst Distributor New York Post Jann Wenner is pulling Us Weekly from distributor Comag, which is co-owned by Conde Nast and Hearst, and placing it with Time Warner Retail Sales. The move is said to be sending shockwaves through the magazine-distribution world. "He did it for one reason: more money." News Media Still Distrusted by Most Americans Gallup Less than half of Americans say they have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in the media to report news accurately and fairly, says a Gallup survey. About 2 in 10 Americans have no confidence in the media at all -- which is among the worst grades Gallup has recorded. People, BusinessWeek Popular on Cellphones Wall Street Journal Web browsing on the cellphone is shifting to the mainstream, according to new data from Nielsen. On cellphones, women prefer the likes of People magazine, Facebook and MySpace, while men go for Gizmodo, BusinessWeek, Wired, and Drudge Report. BusinessWeek Gets Last-Minute Zuckerman Bid New York Post New York Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman is a last-minute bidder for BusinessWeek magazine. "Obviously, we'd run it financially more efficiently than they do," he says. His bid joins four others: Bloomberg LP, Zelnick Media, Open Gate Capital, and Platinum Equity Partners. Chicago Sun-Times on the Brink with One Bid Associated Press Businessman Jim Tyree's bid for Chicago's Sun-Times Media Group "seems to be the only game in town." If Tyree walks away due to a disagreement with unions over proposed cuts, the company will have to consider liquidation. Final bids are due Monday afternoon. LA Times, WaPo Shutter Joint News Service Washington Post The Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service, a syndicate with 600 clients, is being dissolved with the agreement of both sides. Times owner Tribune is beefing up a rival news alliance, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, which the Los Angeles paper will join. NY Times Preps Local Editions in SF, Chicago New York Times The New York Times is making plans for editions of the newspaper tailored to the Chicago area and other metropolitan markets, in addition to the San Francisco edition it plans to unveil this fall. The Times hopes to increase subscription sales and sell more local ads. Financial Times Shows How to Spend It Online WWD The Financial Times' glossy How to Spend It will unveil its own Web site Saturday as the luxury supplement marks its 15th anniversary. The free site will offer new blogs, video bulletins and even three-dimensional imaging. Also, the print edition will expand to 29 issues next year. Publishers Say They Will Add Online Payments Financial Times More than two thirds of British online publications will be charging for access to their Web sites within a year, according to a poll by the U.K.'s Association of Online Publishers. Two years ago, 54% of respondents said they had "no plans" to charge. "That is quite a significant shift." Apple Tablet to Redefine Newspapers, Magazines Gizmodo Apple is in talks with media companies, seeking content for a new device that will "redefine print." Execs from "one of the largest magazine groups" are meeting with Apple. The goal: "have publishers create hybridized content that draws from audio, video and interactive graphics." Meredith CEO Sees Decline in Take-Home Pay Associated Press Meredith is giving CEO Steve Lacy a compensation package valued at $3.9 million for fiscal 2009, down slightly from the year before, according to a regulatory filing. Meredith recently revised its pay guidelines to "increase the emphasis on business unit performance." Conde Nast Layoffs May Last for Months NYO / NYP Now that McKinsey-branded packets have been given to nearly every publisher and editor at Conde Nast, when will the inevitable layoffs begin? Some magazines "will do it in six weeks; some will do it in two months." Also: Younger staffers are fleeing before the layoffs start. BusinessWeek: Bloomberg 'Aggressive' Bidder BusinessWeek Bloomberg LP, Open Gate Capital, ZelnickMedia and an unidentified party are said to have submitted revised bids to acquire BusinessWeek. Owner McGraw-Hill could announce a winner in less than a week. Bloomberg "appears to be the most aggressive" in its pursuit. Gannett Faces Doubts of Ad Improvement MarketWatch Gannett shares jumped Tuesday after it estimated third-quarter earnings results that surpassed most analyst expectations. Analysts caution, however, that it is too early to tell if a real adverting recovery is on the way, and to what extent newspapers can benefit. Craigslist Outage Prompts User Confusion Christian Science Monitor Craigslist, the Internet classified site, went down Tuesday afternoon for a few hours. The site is said to still be struggling to load is some parts of the United States. One user tweets: "Craigslist is down. I have two jobs that require this site to function. What do I do now?" Anschutz's Examiner.com is Fastest-Growing Denver Business Examiner.com, Philip Anschutz's network of localized Web sites, is growing faster than any of the other top 30 Internet news sites in the United States, says Nielsen Online. Examiner.com features posts from writers it calls "examiners" as well as an aggregation of headlines. NY Times Yet to Decide on Web Pay Model New York Observer The New York Times is yet to decide on a pay model for its Web site, following months of meetings and studies. "In the end, I think it will come down to a gut call," says top editor Bill Keller. He adds: "There's no clear evidence that a pay model will save newspapers." Print is Undead: NYC Publishes Seven Dailies Village Voice New York City is probably the only U.S. market to publish seven daily newspapers. "It's not the health of newspapers; it's the health of the newspaper owners," quips one observer. Owning a New York paper allows wealthy individuals "to get their phone calls returned." Time Warner Shares Climb on Magazine Talk WWD Time Warner shares rose 2.62% to $29.37 on Monday, following speculation the company might eventually sell off the Time Inc. magazine unit. Says CEO Jeff Bewkes: "Time Warner may well include publishing, but we're not making a religious statement about it." Barry Diller: People Will Pay for Online Content CBS News "Of course people will pay for content!" declares Daily Beast funder Barry Diller, appearing with founder Tina Brown on @KatieCouric. Diller adds: The Internet was started by tech people who "couldn't care less" about copyrights. The "Internet is free" concept is "mythology." Reader's Digest May Abandon Longtime HQ Mediaweek Bankrupt Reader's Digest Association may give up its sprawling, Georgian-style headquarters near Pleasantville, N.Y., its home of nearly 70 years, which built by the company's founders. The troubled publisher is mulling a relocation, saying it is "considering all options." BusinessWeek Hopeful for Bloomberg Bid New York Post BusinessWeek editor Steven Adler sent a "keep your chins up" memo to staffers on Sunday, as hopeful employees speculate that the McGraw-Hill board had met to accept an offer from Bloomberg LP to buy the struggling weekly. However, a source says the board has yet to meet. Sun-Times Media May Have Second Bidder Crain's Chicago Sun-Times Media has attracted at least one other potential bidder besides financier James Tyree, according to the head of the Chicago Newspaper Guild. The union declines to identify the investor beyond saying the person is "in the know in the financial world." Star Tribune Exits Bankruptcy More 'Agile' Minneapolis Business The Star Tribune is emerging from bankruptcy "poised to be an agile competitor," it says, with creditors owning most of the Minneapolis daily newspaper in return for reducing its debt. The Star Tribune still faces the specter of declining revenue for print advertising. LA Times Names New Online News Chief Los Angeles Times The Los Angeles Times is naming Sean Gallagher to run its online newsroom operations. Gallagher, who was serving as managing editor of the newspaper's Web site, replaces Meredith Artley, who left earlier this month. "We've built the best-in-class site," he says. Forbes Appoints President for Web Site ClickZ Michael Smith is being named president of Forbes.com. Smith, who came to Forbes.com in 2000 as chief technology officer, rose through the ranks at the business site. The move comes as Forbes.com CEO Jim Spanfeller exits to launch his own digital media startup. ESPN to Take On SI with Nude 'Body Issue' USA Today More than 30 male and female professional athletes are posing nude or semi-nude for ESPN The Magazine's first "Body Issue," hitting newsstands Oct. 9. If the issue takes off with readers, it could become an athletic rival of Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit issue. Daily Beast to Get Its Own Book Imprint New York Times The Daily Beast is entering a joint venture with Perseus Books to form a new imprint, Beast Books, aiming to publish timely titles by the Web site's writers. The titles will appear first as e-books, then as paperbacks on a much shorter schedule than traditional books. Craigslist Hit Below the Belt by Rival Site Faster Times Kijiji, a free classified ads site attempting to rival Craigslist, is taking a shot at the category leader by publicizing the results of a survey by its owner, eBay: "Three in four U.S. adults prefer to buy or sell items from a Web site that does not host erotic ads or adult services." Time Warner May Sell Off Magazine Unit BusinessWeek Time Warner will eventually sell the Time Inc. magazine unit and may buy more assets for its core entertainment holdings, says Gordon Crawford, the company's largest shareholder. "They're going to sell their print division" and then "they'll probably be buying stuff." Conde Nast to Make Significant Job Cuts Crain's New York Conde Nast is preparing to make the most sweeping cuts in its history following a study by consultants from McKinsey & Co. Mastheads will be slashed as well as expenses. Insiders say job losses will be significant, though how deep the cuts go will vary by magazine. Ebony Magazine Seeking Buyer, Investor Newsweek Johnson Publishing is seeking a buyer or investor for Ebony, its flagship publication, in an effort to secure the survival of the oldest U.S. magazine devoted to African-American life. Time Inc., Viacom and private investors are said to have been approached about a possible deal. MediaNews to Charge for Online Content KSL MediaNews Group plans to start charging for some newspaper content on the Web, says CEO Dean Singleton. "When you begin charging for it, it has some value." Singleton says he plans to implement the change across his company, which owns 54 dailies in 11 states. Tribune Seeks $66M for Manager Bonuses Bloomberg Bankrupt Tribune is seeking court permission to pay as much as $66 million in bonuses to its managers based on operating cash flow predicted to be the lowest in at least 10 years. "In such a challenging environment, it is absolutely critical," to pay the bonuses, Tribune says. Scripps Suicide: Heiress Jumps Off Bridge New York Post Anne Morell Petrillo, 38, the daughter of slain newspaper heiress Anne Scripps Douglas, jumped to her death last Thursday from New York's Tappan Zee Bridge, the same bridge her stepfather did after he killed her mother. Petrillo "spiraled out of control as her inheritance dried up." Washington Post Clamps Down on Tweets Washington Post The Washington Post is issuing newsroom guidelines for using Facebook, Twitter and other social media. The newspaper's staff "must refrain from writing, tweeting or posting anything" that could be perceived as reflecting bias, which could "tarnish our journalistic credibility." Monocle Editor Dismisses Twitter as Fad Financial Times Twitter is merely "another media fad," writes Tyler Brule. The editor and founder of Monocle magazine says he prefers not to have his e-mail inbox "crammed with random mindless publicists" and even friends. "Is there a limit to how many times [people] can try to reach me?" Vanity Fair/CBS Poll Bashes Google, Twitter CBS Conde Nast's Vanity Fair and CBS' "60 Minutes" are teaming up for a new monthly national survey. According to their first poll, Wal-Mart "best symbolizes America" more than Google. Also, about 50% of 18-to-44 year-olds see Twitter as "a fad that will fade away." Conde Nast May Shutter Some Magazines WWD Conde Nast top management is considering closing some magazines by the end of the year, according to "well-placed insiders." The decision, which is likely to come within the next few weeks, follows meetings on 2010 budgets and the review by consultants McKinsey & Co. Economist's Capitol Hill Titles Cut 44 Jobs Politico The Economist's Washington, D.C.-based CQ-Roll Call Group is cutting 44 editorial positions. The move comes after a review of operations following the Economist's acquisition of Congressional Quarterly in July and its combination with fellow Capitol Hill publication Roll Call. NY Times Agrees to Voluntary Buyouts Romenesko New York Times operations exec Terry Hayes says the company will agree to offer voluntary buyouts. The Times is agreeable to buyouts because the newspaper guild "stepped up to help" the Times by agreeing to the temporary pay reduction a few months ago. Tribune to Release Buyout Documents Financial Times Tribune, the bankrupt newspaper group, is agreeing to give a group of bondholders access to documents and e-mails related to its 2007 buyout by Sam Zell, paving the way for debtholders to investigate their claim that the transaction precipitated the company's failure. Sun-Times Deal Deadline Merely 'Posturing' Chicago Tribune Chicago Sun-Times Media unions appear to have more leverage than originally thought as they negotiate terms of a $26.5 million buyout. Financier Jim Tyree demanded stringent terms or possible liquidation, but a bankruptcy court judge describes the threat as "posturing." Dow Jones to Sell Internet News Syndicator Dow Jones News Corp.'s Dow Jones & Co. is selling Internet news syndicator Screaming Media to YellowBrix, which offers information and content services to corporate clients. Dow Jones came to own Screaming Media when it acquired MarketWatch in 2004. SF Nonprofit to Boost Local News Online San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco financier Warren Hellman plans to invest $5 million to develop a nonprofit journalism venture that will provide regional news coverage online and feed stories to media partners including possibly the New York Times. The venture will create "more than dozens" of jobs. Newspapers 'Need Cash Now,' Group Says Bloomberg U.S. newspaper publishers, suffering advertising and circulation drops, may need government help to survive as their cash reserves dwindle. "Newspapers need cash now," John Sturm, president of the Newspaper Association of America, told Congress on Thursday. Media Usage: Online Up, Newspapers Down Seeking Alpha Americans are increasingly turning to online and radio sources for news, while at the same time they are relying less on daily newspapers and television, according to a media use and credibility survey commissioned by ARAnet. TV is, however, still deemed to be most credible. ZelnickMedia, Crovitz Mull Bid for BusinessWeek BusinessWeek ZelnickMedia, a New York-based investment firm, is said to be teaming with the former Wall Street Journal publisher Gordon Crovitz to make a possible run for BusinessWeek. Bloomberg LP and private equity firm Open Gate have already made bids for the McGraw-Hill magazine. Hearst Exports Esquire Magazine to Middle East MinOnline Hearst plans to launch an international edition of Esquire magazine in the Middle East, for countries including Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The men's title may need to tone down some of its content for the new edition for both political and religious reasons. Life Magazine Goes Online via Google Scans Associated Press Decades of Life magazine are being scanned and posted online, giving the public the first comprehensive electronic access to the Time Inc. publication's archives. The effort, which makes all Life articles searchable and viewable for free, is part of Google's book-scanning project. Comcast: Newsday Publisher Knight Resigns New York Post Tim Knight is resigning abruptly as publisher of Newsday after five years of leading Cablevision's Long Island daily. The newspaper continues to suffer from circulation issues. Knight oversaw the recent redesign of Newsday.com, which saw a drop in visitors after it was unveiled. Tribune Hearing Cancelled After Probe Request Reuters A bankruptcy court is cancelling a Thursday hearing on Tribune, a move that comes as some bondholders seek a probe into Sam Zell's buyout of the company. Some claim that the buyout caused Tribune's "demise." Tribune says it does not know why the hearing was cancelled. WSJ Eyes 'Most Googled, Tweeted' Stories WWD The Wall Street Journal's morning editorial meetings now start with discussions about which stories are the most Googled or Tweeted online, says Alan Murray, deputy managing editor. Ignoring online traffic numbers and search terms would be "silly, stupid and suicidal." Amazon.com: Vote on Best Magazine Covers WWD Rather than choosing themselves, the American Society of Magazine Editors is turning to Amazon.com to pick this year's best magazine covers -- visitors to the Web site vote on their favorites. Magazines are divided into 10 categories. The "best cover" will be revealed Oct. 14. 'Kindle Killer' Replicates Newspaper Format Forbes Dutch e-reader manufacturer IREX is releasing the Digital Reader 800, which features an e-ink screen larger than Amazon's latest Kindle. The device, to be sold at Best Buy stores, boasts a format that will display the entire front page of a newspaper in its original layout. Craigslist Founder Advises for City Data Site San Francisco Examiner Craigslist founder Craig Newmark is offering advice to the mayor's office of San Francisco on DataSF.org, a new Web site promising up-to-date city government data for public viewing. The site will post data such as crime statistics, restaurant inspections and street fixes. Tech Firms: Please Help Rescue Newspapers Associated Press Tien Tzuo, founder of online payment startup Zuora, is calling on fellow technology entrepreneurs to join him on a quest to rescue newspapers as readers get stories free on the Internet. "Free is actually killing the media industry," says Tzuo. "We've got to save journalists." Tribune Liability May See Impact from Sale Chicago Sun-Times The Sam Zell-orchestrated sale of the Chicago Cubs is likely to be challenged by the IRS, experts say. A fight with the IRS could expose Tribune, which is trying to emerge from bankruptcy, to a liability of $300 million. "The IRS is not favorably disposed to leveraged partnerships." Conde Nast Magazines Expected to Cut 25% Crain's New York Conde Nast is inching closer to slashing costs at its magazines, as editors and publishers begin preparing their 2010 budgets. The actual cost-cutting could begin as early as mid to late October at some titles. Each magazine is said to be eyeing budget cuts averaging 25%. BusinessWeek Sale Silence Sparks Rumors New York Post The lack of an announcement days after BusinessWeek owner McGraw-Hill extended its bid deadline is spawning wild rumors that the deal will be simply a sale of the magazine's trademarks and customer lists. On Tuesday, talk circulated that BusinessWeek was to be shut down. WSJ Magazine to Add Online-Only Issues WWD WSJ., the Wall Street Journal's glossy magazine, plans to continue quarterly print publication while adding two online-only issues to its editorial calendar next year. Editor in chief Tina Gaudoin describes the magazine's experiments with online-only issues as "well received." FT Columnists to Appear on Bloomberg TV BtoB The Financial Times' Lex columnists will start appearing daily on Bloomberg Television between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. ET. The Lex column is the newspaper's flagship opinion column. During those TV appearances, the columnists will expand on commentary in that day's column. NY Observer to Get Its Own Building in 2010 New York Observer The New York Observer will relocate its offices early next year from its current prewar Flatiron building to 321 West 44th Street. Jared Kushner owns both the Observer and its future 10-story building home, which he plans to rename for the salmon-colored weekly. Print Media Vow to 'Conquer' Mobile Devices BtoB Almost 70% of newspaper and magazine execs surveyed by the Audit Bureau of Circulations say they are giving more attention to publishing for mobile devices. More than a third say their publication already has "a well-developed plan for attacking and conquering" the mobile market. NY Times: Harbinger Sells 5 Million Shares Reuters Hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners says in a regulatory filing it has sold about 5 million shares in New York Times Co. at $8.25 apiece, to reduce its stake to 16.38% from 19.94%. The Times has hundreds of millions of dollars of debt coming due in the next few years. Financial Times Turns Blog Into News Wire Crain's New York The Financial Times is expanding the New York presence of its blog FT Alphaville. The move is part of the London-based newspaper's plan to make the site a global, 24-hour financial news service featuring live reports from London, New York and Tokyo, supported by advertising. NY Post Parody Not Amusing to News Corp AOL Activists with a group called The Yes Men are handing out copies of a New York Post parody issue, aiming to call attention to climate change. But when volunteers tried to distribute copies outside the Post's offices, they were detained by police and their papers were confiscated. NY Times Eyes Thousands of Twitter Feeds Mediaweek The New York Times is exploring plans to build search products to sift through thousands of Twitter feeds and pull together commentary on specific narrow topics. There is "a lot of power in organizing and curating this world," says Times digital exec Martin Nisenholtz. Dow Jones to Shutter Far Eastern Review Associated Press The Far Eastern Economic Review, a 63-year-old magazine that in its prime rattled Asia's authoritarian power brokers with its rigorous reporting, will be shut in December. Its publisher, News Corp.'s Dow Jones & Co., blames declines in revenue and readership. Conde Nast: Ex-Editor Launches Online Mag WWD Michelle Adams, a former editor with Conde Nast shelter title Domino, which shuttered in January, is launching her own online-only shelter magazine. The new Lonny, a name combining New York and London, allows readers to "flip through pages" like a print magazine. Alpha Media CEO Duggan Departs Suddenly New York Post Alpha Media, the parent of the U.S. edition of Maxim magazine, is searching for an interim CEO to replace Stephen Duggan, who resigned Friday. Duggan's sudden exit is the latest upheaval at the company, which is now controlled by financial investment giant Cerberus. Obama: Newspapers Need a Business Model Toledo Blade President Obama, a self-described "big newspaper junkie," says he is concerned that the news industry is moving in the direction of "all blogosphere." He adds: "If you're getting your newspaper over the Internet, that's not free. There's got to be a way to find a business model." Reader's Digest to Become Web Aggregator Financial Times Reader's Digest plans to overhaul its online activities to attract a younger audience. Its new, free U.S. site will focus on the "curation" concept central to the original magazine. Says online chief Jon Mills: "We were the Google News of the 1920s. We were the original aggregator." Time, BusinessWeek See Online Growth Spurt Min Media brands are among the biggest traffic gainers on the Web, according to an analysis by Compete. Even struggling print magazines such as Time are seeing traffic growth online. For the year, BusinessWeek -- despite its current woes -- is seeing a growth rate of 52%. BusinessWeek Gets a Bid from Bloomberg BusinessWeek McGraw-Hill is said to have received at least two bids for BusinessWeek, the struggling weekly magazine now on the block. Bids have been received from Bloomberg L.P. and OpenGate Capital, the private equity firm that owns TV Guide magazine. Final bids were due Sept. 15. Reuters to Acquire Breakingviews Web Site Times of London Thomson Reuters is buying the Breakingviews.com Web site for about $16.3 million. The Internet-based financial analysis service was founded by Hugo Dixon, a former journalist at the Financial Times. The operation is expected to be run as a separate entity with its own branding. NY Times Adjusts Top Execs' Pay After Errors Dow Jones The New York Times Co. approved bonuses for execs Arthur Sulzberger Jr. and Janet Robinson that could have brought their compensation in 2011 and 2012 up to $500,000 more than a $3 million company limit. The company later adjusted the potential pay to fit within the limit. Boston Globe: Ex-Publisher Joins Bidders Boston Globe Stephen Taylor is gaining a significant backer in his bid to buy the Boston Globe -- his cousin Benjamin Taylor, the last member of the family to serve as publisher after the New York Times Co. bought the newspaper in 1993. The Taylor team is up against the deep-pocketed Platinum Equity. Sun-Times Bidders Includes Landfill Owner Crain's Chicago One of the investors backing Jim Tyree's bid to buy Sun-Times Media Group is Edward Heil, a partner with Sudler Property Management, a longtime Chicago powerbroker who has his fingers in construction, real estate and radioactive waste. Heil declines to talk about the bid. Newspapers Set to Launch Web Toll Booths Associated Press Some large newspapers are expected to put up Internet toll booths this autumn. The free-to-fee transition is expected to occur in tentative steps. The question is mainly which publisher will jump off the sidelines first. "There's a lot of 'wait-and-see' attitudes out there." Journo Jobs Vanishing at Accelerated Rate Editor & Publisher Since the financial meltdown began a year ago, journalism jobs have gone away at almost three times the rate jobs have disappeared in the general economy, according to a report by Unity: Journalists of Color. The news media have shed 35,885 jobs since Sept. 15, 2008. Tribune Creditors to Probe Zell's Takeover Chicago Tribune Tribune creditors plan to join forces to investigate possible "fraudulent conveyance" in Sam Zell's 2007 buyout of the company. At issue is a reorganization plan that would give lenders, such as JPMorgan Chase and Merrill Lynch, a majority ownership stake in Tribune. Hearst's SF Chronicle Eliminates More Jobs San Francisco Business Five members of the San Francisco Chronicle's editorial department are being laid off, the latest in a series of staffing cuts at the troubled daily newspaper. Roughly 150 jobs were cut between March and mid-May. Operating losses continue to run at more than $1 million a week. Washington Post to Merge Print, Web Operations Washington Business The print and online operations of the Washington Post will merge as of Jan. 1, according to a memo from publisher Katharine Weymouth. The move is important, she says, in order to create one organization that will "mirror the perception of readers, users and advertisers." Wall St Journal Mobile Fees Take Effect Oct 24 MarketWatch News Corp. says current print and online subscribers to the Wall Street Journal won't have to pay extra to get full subscription content on their mobile phones. Chief Rupert Murdoch said earlier this week that subscribers to the print version would have to pay $1 per week. Google CEO Questions Murdoch's Web Pay Plan Reuters Publishers will find it difficult to charge for general news online because too much free content is available, says Google CEO Eric Schmidt. "These models have not worked for general public consumption." However, for niche providers of content, "it will be possible." Conde Nast: No Magazine Shutdowns Expected New York Post Conde Nast magazines Teen Vogue, Allure and Details have been on the watch list for possible shutdowns. But a report from management consultants McKinsey & Co. is expected to provide a blueprint for keeping all the brands intact, with a major ratcheting down of expenses. LA Times Made Into Clothes on 'Project Runway' American-Statesman Lifetime's "Project Runway" this week traveled to the Los Angeles Times, where the Tribune newspaper's fashion critic, Booth Moore, issued a design challenge of making clothes out of newspapers. Designer Tommy Hilfiger mused: "New alternative to fur -- newspaper." Old Media Still First News Source, Survey Says First Amendment Center Most Americans still depend on television for breaking news, according to a survey by the First Amendment Center. Web-based news providers such as AOL and Google rank second, with newspapers and radio trailing. Only 3% say they consider Twitter a "reliable news source." Star Trib Exits Bankruptcy with New Owners Star Tribune The Minneapolis Star Tribune has won court approval for its reorganization plan, clearing the way to exit bankruptcy with new owners led by Angelo Gordon & Co., a private equity group. The 14th-largest U.S. daily still must find ways to make money as readers migrate to the Web. NY Times, Gannett: Ad Business is 'Less Worse' Bloomberg Shares of New York Times and Gannett surged after a market-research report from TNS Media Intelligence said some media may see improvement in third-quarter advertising. Says one analyst: "There's a little bit of excitement that maybe business is getting less worse." NYT: Boston Globe Loses a Possible Bidder Boston Globe Stephen Pagliuca and Jack Connors are dropping out of the race to buy the Boston Globe, with Pagliuca’s announcement that he is running for the U.S. Senate. The move shifts the bidding for the newspaper to just two teams: Platinum Equity and a group led by Stephen Taylor. Sun-Times Buyer Won't Budge on Demands Chicago Tribune In the wake of stiff union opposition to demands attached to Jim Tyree's $25 million bid to rescue Sun-Times Media Group, the Chicago financier says he still won't negotiate. "I'm not going to be changing my position. If I do, I'll surely lose. And I'm trying to keep from losing." WSJ to Roll Out Live Online Video News Hub Mediaweek The Wall Street Journal is launching The News Hub, a live video series streamed twice every weekday across WSJ.com, Barrons.com, Marketwatch.com, Dow Jones Newswires and AllThingsD.com. The series will feature Dow Jones journalists discussing business news. HuffPost Taps Former Yahoo Exec for President AllThingsD Greg Coleman, who has been a top advertising exec at both Yahoo and AOL, is to become president of The Huffington Post, as well as chief revenue officer for the online news site. Coleman was head of advertising sales at Yahoo for seven years, after a long stint at Reader's Digest. The Atlantic Launches Opinion-Maker Web Site New York Post The Atlantic magazine is launching TheAtlanticwire.com, a Web site that will introduce The Atlantic 50, a ranking of the most influential pundits from newspapers, cable news outlets and blogs. They include: Paul Krugman, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Andrew Sullivan. Variety Web Site Goes Pay; THR Scraps Print Deadline Variety, the Reed Business Information showbiz trade publication, is said to be planning to make its Web site for-pay only. Meanwhile, rival Hollywood Reporter, published by Nielsen Business Media, reportedly plans to scrap its print edition and pursue a paid Web-only strategy. The Wrap to Share Content With MSN Sites New York Times The MSN division of Microsoft is entering a deal to become content partners with The Wrap, Sharon Waxman's Web site devoted to the entertainment biz. Under terms of the agreement, stories from The Wrap will appear on MSN sites such as Wonderwall. Murdoch Predicts Death of Print Newspapers Financial Times Electronic reading devices such as Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader one day will displace newsprint, predicts News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch. It may take 20 years to come to pass, but "we're going to have no paper, no printing plants, no unions. It's going to be great." Wall Street Journal to Charge Mobile Readers Reuters The Wall Street Journal will begin charging people to read the newspaper on mobile devices such as their BlackBerrys "in one to two months," says owner Rupert Murdoch. People who do not subscribe to the Journal will pay $2 a week for mobile access; subscribers pay $1 per week. TVGuide.com Spruces Up for Younger TV Fans USA Today TVGuide.com, which is now separate from TV Guide magazine, is blending listings, social networking and video to appeal to a new generation of television fans. TVGuide.com will now allow visitors to log in with their Facebook information to see which shows their friends like. Arianna Huffington to Develop Sitcom for ABC Variety Huffington Post maven Arianna Huffington is teaming up with former "Friends" writer Greg Malins to develop a sitcom for ABC set in politics. "Freshmen" revolves around three new members of Congress -- two men and one woman -- who wind up sharing an apartment. HuffPost Preps Book, Tech, Sports Verticals Observer / HuffPost The Huffington Post is rolling out verticals for books, tech and sports, in an effort to become a "must-see destination." Also: HuffPost is launching its latest local section, HuffPost Denver. The site is edited by Ethan Axelrod, son of David Axelrod, an advisor to President Obama. McGraw-Hill Mulls Digital-Only BusinessWeek BusinessWeek / NYP Lazard boss Bruce Wasserstein is dropping out of the bidding for BusinessWeek. Bloomberg LP now appears to be the frontrunner. McGraw-Hill chief Terry McGraw says "all options were open" for the struggling magazine, including the possibility of going digital-only. Conde Nasties to Learn Their Fates Within Days New York Observer Conde Nast execs will meet with editors and publishers about their 2010 budget targets during the next week. McKinsey & Co. consultants are expected to be present at the meetings. Magazines that are in trouble -- or that could be on the chopping block -- will learn their fates shortly. NY Times Sees Suitors Shrink for Boston Globe New York Post The New York Times Co. says it is in no hurry to sell the Boston Globe even as the suitors for the money-losing newspaper dwindle. One potential buyer, an investor group led by former adman Jack Connors and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca, is close to dropping out. Sun-Times Workers Reject Concession Demands Chicago Tribune Chicago Sun-Times union employees are rejecting major concessions demanded of them as part of financier Jim Tyree's $25 million bid to take over the bankrupt Sun-Times Media Group. If the sale falls through, the company says it may be forced to liquidate. Google Launches Magazine-Like News Reader Financial Times Google is unveiling Google Fast Flip, a new way of browsing newspapers and magazines online. The Internet giant is partnering with three dozen top publishers, including the New York Times and Newsweek, and will share revenues from contextual ads with them. Journalism Online Doubles Its Client List Dow Jones Journalism Online, which plans to help publishers charge for online content, says it has doubled its client list since August. The startup has signed affiliate agreements with publishers representing more than 1,000 newspapers and magazines, "and the pace is accelerating." WSJ, FT Among '10 Great Media Web Sites' Media Business Wall Street Journal, Financial Times and BusinessWeek are among the "10 Great Media Sites," according to BtoB's Media Business magazine. Wall Street Journal digital exec Gordon McLeod says WSJ.com will reveal "a lot of exciting things" in pay content this fall. Triple Crown Media Filing for Bankruptcy Associated Press Triple Crown Media, which owns newspapers in Georgia, is becoming at least the 11th U.S. newspaper publisher to seek bankruptcy protection in the past year. The company blames declines in circulation in part on readers migrating to the Internet for news. Conde Nast to Make Big Cuts, Insiders Say Crain's New York The consultants from McKinsey & Co. have wrapped up their summer-long review of Conde Nast. Editors and publishers are expected to be asked to reduce spending by as much as 25%. The assumption is that magazine advertising is not going to rebound any time soon. Reader's Digest Revamps Its U.S. Business Mediaweek Reader's Digest Association CEO Mary Berner is announcing an organizational shakeup in yet another jolt for the bankruptcy-embattled publisher. In the latest overhaul, exec Alyce Alston will focus on developing new revenue streams as head of a new Emerging Businesses division. 'Help a Reporter Out' Web Site Hits Paydirt Wired Help a Reporter Out, a Web site founded by public-relations veteran Peter Shankman, uses crowdscourcing to help journalists track down sources. It has grown into a serious business, with a free, ad-supported business model, averaging some $1 million in annual revenue. NY Times Ponders Online Fees for Content NYP / CNET The New York Times is counting the ways it could charge readers online. CEO Janet Robinson says the Times is considering charging "membership" fees, charging as people read or putting prices on special content. Also: NYTimes.com is hit by "rogue ads." Financial Times Developing a Financial Wiki CJR The Financial Times is working on creating a financial wiki to help keep its readership engaged, says CEO John Ridding. The newspaper wants to enable its readers, who are professionals in financial markets, to be "involved and provide information to each other." New Yorker, Spin to Test Online Pay Models Mediaweek The Economist, The New Yorker, Newsweek, Spin, Discover, and Runner's World are among the magazines considering various online paid content models. Meanwhile: Several Web biggies -- Yahoo, MSNBC.com, CBSNews.com -- are saying no to charging for content. Atlantic Taps Kinsley to Lead Digital Division New York Times The Atlantic magazine is appointing Michael Kinsley, the founder of online magazine Slate, to head a digital division and write a monthly column on media. The Atlantic is also in the midst of building out the Atlantic Wire, a real-time sampling of opinion and commentary. Hearst Magazines See Shakeup Among Execs Mediaweek On the heels of a shakeup at O, The Oprah Magazine, another Hearst title, Country Living, is announcing high-level changes. Publisher Steve Grune is being replaced by ex-Cooking Light publisher Chris Allen. Country Living is suffering along with the rest of the shelter category. Newsweek to Change Subscription Strategy Washington Post Newsweek, which relaunched in May, is said to be modeling its editorial strategy on The Economist, and now appears to be doing the same thing with its business strategy: The money-losing title plans to as much as double its subscription rate over the next two years. TV Guide to Slash Circulation by 30 Percent New York Post TV Guide is expected to become the latest mass-circulation magazine to radically chop the number of copies it delivers. In a move expected to be announced as soon as Monday, the weekly will drop from its current rate base of 2.9 million down to 2 million, a drop of more than 30%. Vogue Editor Wintour: 'People Love a Bitch' Daily Beast Just a few months ago, Vogue editor Anna Wintour was fighting negative press and rumors of a replacement, writes Tina Brown. "So she took a big, bold gamble" and allowed R.J. Cutler to make a documentary film about her magazine. "Now the movie is a hit. Anna is bigger than ever." Daily Beast Returns Brown to Media Spotlight Australian Tina Brown's Web venture, The Daily Beast, which "winks and roars like Vanity Fair," places the 55-year-old editor "back in the middle of the global media conversation." However, Brown won't delve too deeply into a key question: Can The Daily Beast make money? Blog Networks Lure Ads as Magazines Suffer New York Times Blog networks like Gawker, Sugar and The Business Insider are reporting advertising revenue is up this year, even as their glossy magazine competition suffers. Such networks put blogs on various topics under some form of central control, "like a digital-era Conde Nast." 'Junk Blogs' Help Damage Media's Credibility Associated Press Nearly two-thirds of Americans think news stories are frequently inaccurate, says a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. According to New York Times top editor Bill Keller, the media "has been poisoned by junk blogs and cable-TV partisans." Time Inc Said to Develop E-Reading Device NBC Bay Area Time Inc., publisher of Time, Sports Illustrated, People and other magazines, is considering developing a portable e-reading device to rival Amazon's Kindle and similar gadgets. Time Inc. execs are believed to have discussed the venture with Conde Nast, Meredith and Hearst. Newspapers Tap Tech Giants for Web Ideas Associated Press IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and Google are among the 11 respondents to a request by the Newspaper Association of America for proposals on ways to charge readers for news online. Industry observers say, however, that they don't sense any "unanimity" about charging. Bloomberg Enters Bidding for BusinessWeek New York Post Bloomberg is a surprise last-minute entry in the auction to buy BusinessWeek from McGraw-Hill. The company is now seen as the frontrunner, replacing Bruce Wasserstein, owner of New York magazine and The Deal. The deadline for bids is Sept. 15. Economist: CFO Mag in 'Well-Guarded' Sale Folio The Economist Group, the U.K.-based publisher of The Economist magazine, is said to be looking for a buyer for CFO magazine. "It's been a well-guarded secret," says one source. CFO Europe shut down in June. An Economist spokesperson is declining to "comment on rumors." Hearst: Good Housekeeping Tests Vibrators Telegraph The U.K. edition of Good Housekeeping, the housewives' bible, is recruiting a panel of 100 women aged between 30 and 65 to test vibrators. The Hearst magazine's October issue will feature the top five best sex toys. Vibrators are "popular among our readers," GH says. Esquire, GQ: Email Newsletters 'No Threat' Reuters Email newsletters aimed at young men, such as Thrillist and Urbandaddy, are pulling advertising away from outlets such as GQ and Esquire magazines. However, GQ publisher Peter Hunsinger is dismissive of email newsletters as a threat, describing them as like "fake Rolexes." Sun-Times Concessions: 'A Piece of Dung' Crain's Chicago James Tyree's $5-million attempt to rescue Sun-Times Media Group from insolvency could be derailed by union members who are balking at sweeping concessions he is demanding as terms of his deal. "It's a terrible piece of dung," says a union leader. "It guts our contract." Google Developing Pay Plan for Web Content Nieman Lab Google is at work developing a micropayment platform that will be "available to both Google and non-Google properties" within the next year. The Internet giant says Internet content "can thrive supported by multiple business models," including subscriptions. 'Internet Manifesto' Takes Aim at Old Media Fast Company German journalists and bloggers are circulating an "Internet Manifesto," a document of 17 "declarations" on "how journalism works today." While short on specific solutions, the thesis urges old media organizations to act fast, because "tradition is not a business model." NYT: Boston Globe Sale is Not a Certainty Boston Globe The New York Times, owner of the Boston Globe, says that the Boston newspaper's finances have improved due to pay cuts and price increases and that a sale is not a certainty. "We are not in a situation where we must absolutely sell," says Times chief Arthur Sulzberger Jr. Sun-Times Unions Asked to Extend Pay Cuts Chicago Sun-Times Sun-Times Media, parent of the Chicago Sun-Times, is calling on 600-plus union workers to accept deep cuts in pay and benefits over the next three years so a sale can move forward. The company is seeking to sell to an investment group led by Chicago businessman James Tyree. Time Inc to Roll Out 3-D, Click-to-Buy Ads WWD To further engage readers and increase the return on investment for advertisers, Time Inc.'s InStyle is creating 3-D advertisements that will leap from the page into a multidimensional experience on a viewer's computer, with link-to-purchase opportunities and special offers. Conde Nast Blog Starts Subscription Service Ars Technica Ars Technica, the popular technology blog, is launching a subscription service offering an ad-free experience and live discussions with editors and industry players. The service costs $50 for one year, or $30 for six months. Conde Nast acquired Ars Technica in May 2008. Hearst: O, The Oprah Magazine in Overhaul New York Post Susan Casey, the new editor of O, The Oprah Magazine, is unveiling a major shakeup at Hearst's second-most profitable glossy. Longtime features editor Patricia Towers will retire, while positions including design director, deputy editor and senior editor are being filled. Playboy's Hugh Hefner Filing for Divorce Reuters Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, host to a coterie of scantily-clad young women at the Playboy Mansion, is filing for divorce from his estranged wife, former Playmate Kimberley Conrad, who many people forgot he had ever married. Hefner is citing irreconcilable differences. McGraw-Hill: BusinessWeek Has 93 Suitors Bloomberg BusinessWeek magazine is generating interest from 93 potential buyers, according to McGraw-Hill CEO Terry McGraw. "Everybody's involved. There's a lot of interest." Parties include private equity and strategic buyers, he says. McGraw isn't naming name any suitors. Economist to Charge Readers for Web Content Media Week UK The Economist plans to charge for access to its Web site within the next six months, mirroring the recent announcement by Rupert Murdoch to introduce a paid-for model for his company's online news. Ecomomist.com is mulling payment options, including micropayments. Meredith Partners on 'Mag Rack' Video Service Broadcasting & Cable Meredith is partnering with the interactive content firm Interactivation to bring television content to more than 25 million homes. The video-on-demand network, known as Mag Rack, will feature content drawn from Meredith media outlets, including its shelter magazines. Dennis: No Publisher, Web Site for The Week Media Week UK Simon Davies, the publisher of the U.K. edition of The Week, is leaving the Dennis Publishing newsweekly and will not be replaced, amid signs of a cost-cutting initiative at the company. His departure comes as Dennis shelves plans for a U.K. launch of a Web site for The Week. Conde Nast's Mags May See Cuts in Frequency New York Observer McKinsey & Co. consultants are believed to be winding down their study of Conde Nast. Within the magazine giant's building, one buzz term that keeps popping up is "frequency reductions" -- especially at Gourmet and Bon Appetit. Details is being eyed as a "duplication" of GQ. Variety Publisher Needs 'Cost-Cutting Fast' Dow Jones Reed Business Information, publisher of Variety and other titles, needs "additional cost-cutting fast," says CEO Keith Jones. The publisher wants to raise the sale of online publications to more than 50% of its total revenue in the next three years, with a "focus on paid services." Sun-Times Media Gets Bid from Investor Group Chicago Sun-Times A group of Chicago businessmen led by Mesirow Financial's James Tyree is submitting a bid to acquire the Chicago Sun-Times and its sister publications. Tyree's group, called STMG Holdings, is willing to acquire Sun-Times Media Group in a deal worth about $25 million. Drudge Report's Influence Seen as Waning New York Observer Drudge Report is still an online media powerhouse -- it's just not the only one anymore. The Huffington Post has already beat Matt Drudge's news aggregator in unique visitors. Says New York Times top editor Bill Keller: "Maybe he wasn't the phenomenon trend-watchers thought." Craigslist is Among Favorites of E-Shoppers Crain's New York Craigslist is ranked for the first time ever on a list of most popular online retail sites, released by Stores magazine. The list surveys about 8,600 consumers and asks them which e-commerce stores they prefer. Craigslist, which ranks at No. 25, is "top of mind these days." The Economist: Readers to Sample via Cellphone Advertising Age The Economist is testing a program that lets New Yorkers use their cellphones to order overnight home delivery of the new issue at the regular newsstand price of $6.99. The magazine views the program as sampling. "We don't see it necessarily as cannibalizing newsstand." Time Inc to Suspend Style & Design Magazine New York Post Less than a week before the start of New York's Fashion Week, Time Inc. is pulling the plug on Time Style & Design, the publishing giant's fashion quarterly. Time blames the collapse of the luxury market for the move. "We hope to bring it back when the economy improves." Hearst to Cut Frequency of Esquire Magazine Twitter / WoodenHorsePub Esquire will no longer be a monthly as of next year. The men's magazine will decrease its frequency in 2010 with a double June/July issue and raise its newsstand price to $4.99. Nearly a year ago, the Hearst title published a 75th anniversary edition with a flashing e-ink cover. WSJ, NYT Prep 'Death Blow' for Hearst Paper New York Times Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times plan to introduce San Francisco editions, hoping to win new readers and advertisers. The move could be a new strategy by national newspapers to capitalize on the contraction of regional papers, such as Hearst's San Francisco Chronicle. Chicago Sun-Times Faces 'Immense' Challenges Crain's Chicago James Tyree, head of Chicago's Mesirow Financial Holdings, is leading an investor group in talks to buy the battered Sun-Times Media Group, owner of the Chicago Sun-Times, and take the company out of bankruptcy. But observers say the "challenges are immense." Murdoch Unveils Redesign of NY Post Web Site New York Post News Corp. is rolling out a redesign of nypost.com, a month after owner Rupert Murdoch announced plans to begin charging for access to all the company's news Web sites. The still-free nypost.com promises "the same unique bold Post voice you love," along with exclusive online content. News Corp: Movie Raises WSJ Synergy Question New York Times News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox will begin production this week on Oliver Stone's "Wall Street 2," a sequel to the 1987 Oscar-winning "Wall Street." CNBC host Jim Cramer is set to appear in the new film. But will the Wall Street Journal, a new 20th Century Fox corporate sibling? Tyra Banks to Launch Online Beauty Magazine WWD Tyra Banks, the model-turned-media personality, is taking her brand into online publishing with the Web-only magazine Tyra: Beauty Inside & Out, launching Tuesday. The magazine, with six full-time staffers, will cover beauty, fashion, healthy living and relationships. McClatchy: We Won't Be Dropped from NYSE Sacramento Business A better stock price is always good news: McClatchy, publisher of the Sacramento Bee and 29 other daily newspapers, says it has been notified by the New York Stock Exchange that the company is now in compliance with the exchange's continued listing standards for share price. Zagat Guidebooks Lose Ground to Free Web Rivals New York Post Tim and Nina Zagat, who pulled their struggling guidebook empire off the market in June, are losing substantial ground to free online rivals, such as Chowhound and Yelp. Zagat charges a $25 annual fee to access its Web site. Sales are said to be down dramatically. Amazon Kindle Better to Environment Than Print Bloomberg Amazon.com's Kindle and rival electronic reading devices will do more to curb pollution than publishing industry efforts such as recycling, according to Cleantech Group. "The publishing of books, newspapers and magazines" is "one of the world’s most polluting industries." Clarity's Examiner.com Acquires NowPublic CNET Citizen news site NowPublic is being sold to another company in the "hyperlocal" space, Clarity Digital Group's Examiner.com. The two sites will operate independently, but Examiner will integrate NowPublic's technology into its site. Examiner boasts of 15,000 contributors. HuffPost is Near Profitability, Arianna Says MarketWatch The Huffington Post is close to making money for the first time, says site co-founder Arianna Huffington. "At this point in our growth, we are in investment mode, building the foundation for a very profitable business down the road rather than focusing on turning a profit now." OC Register Publisher Files for Bankruptcy Los Angeles Times Freedom Communications, owner of the Orange County Register, is filing for Chapter 11 after the slide in the newspaper industry and the recession made it impossible to repay $770 million in debt. Lenders could take control and appoint a new board of directors and CEO. Magazine Publishers' New Focus: Subscriptions New York Times Get ready for more subscription cards wafting out of magazines: Publishers like Meredith are lessening their dependence on newsstand sales and trying to increase the subscriptions sold directly by them. Magazine distributors are consolidating, with some raising fees. Magazines Get Into the Digital Mainstream MinOnline Digital is the one bright spot in an overall dark year for many U.S. magazines. Glamour and Allure are among the titles making double-digit and even triple-digit percentage gains in Web-site traffic in the past year. "Periodical brands finally are becoming always-on brands." Playboy, TV Guide Lead Magazine Circ Drop Bloomberg U.S. magazine circulation fell 1.2% in the first half, led by declines at TV Guide and Playboy, says the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Even Cosmopolitan, the largest newsstand seller, posted a drop. The declines may make it harder for magazines to attract advertisers, analysts say. Time Inc Mags Lead In Followers on Twitter MinOnline Time Inc.'s Time, People and InStyle top the list of the magazines with the most Twitter followers. Time.com runs regular features that appeal to the social-media crowd, including That Viral Thing, covering Web trends. People.com surprisingly has fewer Twitter followers than Time.com. Vanity Fair Power List 'Shaken' by Economy Vanity Fair Like the economy, Vanity Fair's annual ranking of the top 100 "New Establishment" powers is being "truly shaken up," the magazine says. Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein is ranked No. 1. Rupert Murdoch, No. 2 last year, slid to No. 7 amid losses at MySpace and other assets. Pittsburgh Paper to Open 'Members-Only' Site Post-Gazette The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette plans to launch PG+, a "members-only" Web site with exclusive content available to subscribers for $36 a year or for $3.99 a month. PG+ will not replace Post-Gazette.com, but will feature "a new stream of exclusive blogs, videos, live chats." Ex-WSJ Publisher Eyed for Minneapolis Paper Star Tribune L. Gordon Crovitz, former publisher of the Wall Street Journal and partner in the new firm Journalism Online, is among four new board members chosen by the Star Tribune's main lenders to lead the Avista Capital newspaper after it emerges from bankruptcy, expected Sept. 28. CBS, Sports Illustrated in Print, Online Deal Mediaweek CBS Interactive and Sports Illustrated are entering into a content-sharing and promotional partnership focused on high school sports, encompassing both print and the Web. As part of the deal, various SI writers will be promoted and/or syndicated on CBSSports.com. Hearst to Launch Web Site for Beauty Products Wall Street Journal Hearst, publisher of Cosmopolitan, Seventeen and Harper's Bazaar, plans to launch a Web site called Real Beauty, focusing on beauty products. Site users will be able to customize information so, for example, a woman with curly hair won't see articles about straight hair. Wenner to Relaunch Rolling Stone Web Site Mediaweek In January, Wenner Media will finally take control of RollingStone.com, after 10 years of allowing RealNetworks to run the Web home of the company's flagship magazine. User engagement will be a big priority of the site's relaunch, says Wenner digital head Steven Schwartz. Time Magazine Eyes Digg for More Advertisers Mediaweek Time magazine's Web site is seeing its audience balloon, landing at 6.7 million unique users in July. Some of that growth is attributed to a 164% increase in traffic from Digg, the social news site. Some advertisers are expressing an interest in targeting active Time.com Diggers. Conde Nast's Vogue Editor Wintour in Hot Seat Financial Times New economic realities could undermine Vogue editor Anna Wintour, says an analysis in the Financial Times. Today's economic climate is "less in thrall to the extravagant world." Rumors are circulating of a possible successor to "subtly change the magazine's direction." Freedom to Declare Bankruptcy This Week Wall Street Journal Freedom Communications, owner of the Orange County Register, is expected to declare bankruptcy this week. The company, which owns more than 30 daily newspapers and eight television stations, has seen its earnings drop about 75% over the past five years. Tribune Could Exit Bankruptcy This Fall New York Times Tribune could emerge from bankruptcy this fall with much of its current top management intact, according to people briefed on restructuring plans. However Tribune CEO Sam Zell -- who engineered "the deal from hell" and is being sued on multiple fronts -- could be gone. Hearst's SF Chronicle: New Layoffs Imminent San Francisco Business San Francisco Chronicle managers are meeting with union reps to discuss the newspaper's plans to slash additional jobs through buyouts and layoffs. The Hearst paper, which cut 150 jobs earlier this year, is said to have operating losses running at more than $1 million a week. U.S. Newspapers' Growth Driven by Cost Cuts Los Angeles Times The recession and the loss of advertising to the likes of Google and Craigslist has been devastating to newspapers, analysts say. The Internet "is a much more powerful vehicle" for ad sales. At most U.S. newspapers, any profit growth has been driven mostly by cost cutting. Fwix Web Startup Lets Citizens File Local News New York Times Fwix, a Web startup for local news, is releasing an iPhone app that will enable users to file their own news updates, photos and videos, live from the field. Fwix, which aggregates news in 85 cities, aims to become a "real-time local newswire," says founder Darian Shirazi, 22. The Economist Seeks Future New-Media Moguls Media Convergence Blog Are you the next Rupert Murdoch or Mark Zuckerberg? The Economist is holding a competition that aims to discover "future new media moguls." Twelve finalists will be invited by the magazine to present their "media innovations" at an event in New York in October. Craigslist Claims eBay Used It for Data Mining Bloomberg Craigslist is accusing eBay of using its minority stake in the company to extract confidential data to help start Kijiji, a rival classified-advertising site. Craigslist lawyers are making the claim in a lawsuit over the company's decision to adopt corporate defense measures. U.S. Newspapers Post Steeper Declines in Ads Bloomberg U.S. newspaper publishers lost 29% of their print and online advertising revenue in the second quarter, a sharp decline, reports the Newspaper Association of America. Ad sales make up more than half of revenue for publishers including New York Times and Gannett. Financial Times Launches Luxury Magazine Crain's New York The Financial Times will add to the luxury magazine category Oct. 16 when it brings its quarterly glossy FT Wealth to the United States. The magazine will be distributed inside the salmon-colored newspaper's U.S. edition. FT Wealth launched in Europe in March. American Media to Publish New 'Fighting' Mag New York Post American Media is entering a joint venture with Ultimate Fighting Championship, the violent and fast-growing sport, to begin producing a national magazine, called UFC, six times a year. Seth Kelly, an editor at Men's Fitness and former Maxim staffer, will be editor in chief. ESPN Mag's 'Nude' Body Issue Stirs Rumors CNBC ESPN The Magazine is taking on Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue by publishing its first-ever "Body Issue" in October, which will feature professional athletes posing nude. "We're calling it The Body Issue, not The Nude Issue," stresses the Disney-owned magazine. Coupons Make a Comeback -- But Not in Print Associated Press Electronic coupons -- arriving by cell phone, Twitter, e-mail and Facebook -- are helping generate an old standby's comeback and bringing in new, younger customers. Many shoppers, especially young consumers, used to reject coupons printed in newspapers as passe. Murdoch: Targeted in Berlusconi Libel Suits? Reuters / NYT Italy's Silvio Berlusconi is launching legal action against news outlets in Italy and abroad, including Britain, France and Spain, for libel in their coverage of his private life, says the prime minister's lawyer. Berlusconi and Rupert Murdoch have publicly clashed in recent months. Time Warner Magazine Mulls Pay Web Content I Want Media / min Rick Stengel, managing editor of Time magazine, says he believes that mainstream media will start to charge for online content by year-end. But will Time.com? In response, a Time spokeswoman tells I Want Media: "We're looking into a number of things." News Corp Promotes Former 'Bizarre' Editor Times of London News Corp.'s News International arm is naming Dominic Mohan as editor of the Sun, Britain's most popular newspaper. Mohan is a former editor of the tabloid's "Bizarre" showbiz column. He will replace Rebekah Brooks, who was recently named CEO of News International. Tribune Bondholders Seek Zell Buyout Probe Wall Street Journal Disgruntled bondholders want a U.S. bankruptcy judge to let them investigate Sam Zell's 2007 buyout of Tribune in an effort to derail a plan that would hand the company over to its banks. The "fraudulent" buyout left Tribune insolvent from the onset of the deal, they claim. Gannett's Indianapolis Paper OKs Pay Cut Indianapolis Business The Indianapolis News Guild is voting to ratify a new, two-year contract with Gannett's Indianapolis Star that includes a 10% pay cut and two-year wage freeze. The agreement covers 185 employees represented by the union. Gannett originally sought a 12% pay cut. Seattle Times Teams Up With Local Blogs Seattle Times The Seattle Times and several Seattle neighborhood news Web sites and blogs are joining forces as part of an interactive journalism project. The partnership involves sharing news tips, joint newsgathering and linking to stories on partner sites to provide more complete coverage. Reader's Digest to Grow Despite Bankruptcy WWD Reader's Digest Association's bankruptcy filing isn't stopping the magazine from growing its brand. Reader's Digest is launching "Earn, Save, Thrive" on the Amazon Kindle on Sept. 8, at a price of $5.99. Plus, a new spinoff health magazine, Best You, is coming in March. Vogue, Elle Threatened by New Fashion Site Advertising Age Social-media startup Polyvore is gaining momentum among fashionistas by allowing users to create collages of click-to-buy fashion products. Its interactivity could threaten "an Elle or a Vogue," says an exec with Polyvore advertiser Gap. Vogue and Elle are much less "participatory." The New Republic: Investor to Reenergize Title Chicago Tribune Real-estate exec Michael Alter is taking a minority stake in The New Republic, the liberal political magazine. Alter says he sees an opportunity to reenergize the money-losing title. The New Republic this fall will launch revenue-generating conferences featuring Washington leaders. Vanity Fair, Evening Post Lose Leading Journos VF / AJC Dominick Dunne, the celebrated author and longtime correspondent and editor with Vanity Fair, died Wednesday at 83. Also: William Emerson Jr., the former editor in chief of the Saturday Evening Post and Newsweek journalist, died Tuesday at 86. NY Times Former HQ: A Bowling Alley? New York Post Bowlmor Lanes, the trendy downtown Manhattan spot that made rolling balls a blast for the celebrity cocktail jet set, is applying for a liquor license at 229 West 43rd Street, the former New York Times Building. Bowlmor's lease for 70,000 feet will be signed in "a matter of days." Hearst's SF Chronicle: More Layoffs Due SF Weekly Another round of layoffs is said to be in the works at the San Francisco Chronicle. The possible layoffs come on top of 134 union buyouts and layoffs in recent months in a painful and dramatic spectacle that featured newspaper management threatening to shutter the newspaper. Vibe Names Editor for Magazine, Web Site New York Times Jermaine Hall is being named the editor of the revived Vibe magazine and Vibe.com. Hall previously served as Vibe's webmaster, among other positions. The hip-hop title, which shut down in June, will return in November via an investment group led by InterMedia Partners. Conde Nast's Videos Available via Boxee Wired Video from Wired.com and Style.com is now available through Boxee, the open-source software platform that integrates media and has a social-networking component allowing users to share what they are watching with users of sites like Facebook and Twitter. EW Scripps Reshuffles Newspaper Execs Associated Press E.W. Scripps is reshuffling the management overseeing its 13 daily newspapers in part to boost the company's slumping advertising sales. Among the exec changes, Bruce Hartmann, publisher of the News Sentinel, will become VP of Scripps' print and interactive sales. Alt-Weeklies Sold as Classifieds Dry Up St. Petersburg Times Hedge fund Atalaya Capital is snapping up the Creative Loafing chain of six alternative weeklies for $5 million in a bankruptcy auction. Outgoing CEO Ben Eason, who blames the Internet for stealing the chain's classifieds, vows to start afresh by starting an online publication. Craigslist: Why Can't Newspapers Kill It? Wired Why has nobody ever succeeded in taking business away from Craigslist? Newspapers do not have to sit passively aside and allow the mostly free classified ad site to take over their business, consultants insist. But so far, attempts to "build a better Craigslist" have failed. Newspapers Slow to Make Digital Transition BtoB Newspaper publishers are failing to move as fast as other media categories in the conversion from print revenue to digital revenue, according to a report by Outsell. "While the wheels are coming off the industry, it remains dependent on print revenues." Magazine Apps Popular Among iPhone Users WWD A handful of magazine apps are gaining significant traction among users of the Apple iPhone. After less than two weeks, Seventeen magazine's first iPhone app has already made it to the top of the lifestyle category in the Apple iTunes store, among the free apps. OK! to Personalize Hallmark Cards Online UPI Hallmark Cards is teaming with Britain's OK! Magazine to allow consumers to put themselves on its cover. Hallmark's British subsidiary will let readers of the celebrity mag use the Internet to make personalized greeting cards in which their own photos appear under the OK! logo. Huffington: The 'Madonna' of the Internet MarketWatch Arianna Huffington, the visionary behind the Huffington Post, is establishing "a Madonna-like celebrity in the online world," muses MarketWatch columnist Jon Friedman. "She is a maverick. Huffington has made journalism exciting. It looks she is having a hell of a lot of fun." Twitter's Most Influential Journalist Is ... Scooping the News CNN talk-show host Larry King is the No. 1 "Most Influential Journalist" on Twitter, according to a list by the blog Scooping the News. Rankings are based on factors such as number of followers and re-tweets. King's CNN colleague Anderson Cooper comes in at No. 7. HuffPost to Launch Three New Sections The Wrap The Huffington Post is rolling out three new verticals, covering sports, technology and books, in the next two months. "We wanted to cover more than just politics," says cofounder Arianna Huffington. "We needed to speak to more than that, to move like an Internet newspaper." Craigslist May Rake In $100M This Year Wired Craigslist earns "stupendous amounts of cash," according to a cover-story profile of the mostly free classified ad site in the new issue of Wired magazine. "Revenue could top $100 million in 2009. Should Craigslist ever be sold, the price likely would run into the billions." Blog Newspaper Preps Launch in Britain Journalism.co.uk theblogpaper, a U.K. Web site and print newspaper compiled by an online community of writers, will release its first edition in September. An initial run of 5,000 copies will be distributed in London. The ad-supported project aims to build a "news community" online. Seattle Sex Columnist Shoots HBO Pilot Seattle P-I Will "Savage Love" be HBO's new "Sex and the City"? Seattle-based Dan Savage plans to shoot a presentation pilot for a television show based on "Savage Love," the sex column he has written since the Seattle alternative weekly newspaper The Stranger launched in 1991. NYT Investor Slim Boosts Stake in Phones Bloomberg Billionaire Carlos Slim is boosting his stake in Telefonos de Mexico, as shares of the nation's biggest land-line telephone company decline. Mounting competition from Internet providers are eating into Telmex's profit. Slim also holds a 7% stake in New York Times Co. AP, Gannett Decline Sports Limits Policy Editor & Publisher Gannett is directing its newspapers that cover the Southeastern Conference not to sign on to a controversial new credential policy, while the Associated Press is also declaring it will not agree to the new rules that have sparked opposition for limits on Web video and blogging. Gannett Set to Roll Out Self-Serve Obits News & Tech Gannett is rolling out self-service obituary software, with the Indianapolis Star slated to be the first newspaper to offer the capability. Funeral directors and other users will be able to submit information to a dedicated Web site, from which it will be formatted and placed in the paper. Reader's Digest Officially Files Chapter 11 Reuters The publisher of Reader's Digest is filing for bankruptcy, carrying out its plan to cut debt and transfer ownership of the 87-year-old magazine to a group of lenders. "Advertising is down, circulation is down, there are alternatives like the Internet where people get their information." 'Letterman': Wintour Gets Vogue's Support WWD Vogue editor Anna Wintour exposed her funny bone on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" Monday, appearing as a guest to discuss "The September Issue" documentary. The studio audience included, for support, publisher Tom Florio and contributing editor William Norwich. Magazines Make the Best of Bad September MinOnline Only 23 out of 154 U.S. monthly magazines are seeing advertising percent gains in their September issues. Meredith is the publisher to watch, with three titles on top in ad gains. Time Inc.'s InStyle is the largest fashion magazine to be up in ad pages in September. Murdoch May Get Aussie Online News Ally Dow Jones Fairfax Media's Brian McCarthy says he would consider teaming up with News Corp. to charge for online news on an integrated platform. "That opportunity would be one of a whole range of things that we're looking at," says the CEO of one of Australia's largest media companies. JPMorgan: No. 1 U.S. Magazine Publisher New York Post JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has inadvertently become a magazine mogul by taking control of distressed publishers Readers Digest, Source Interlink and American Media. Their combined revenues of about $5 billion exceed those of Time Inc., Hearst and Conde Nast. FTC to Assess News Biz in Internet Age New York Times The U.S. Federal Trade Commission plans to examine the state of the news industry with two workshops in December. The workshops may make recommendations to lawmakers on changes in policies on anything ranging from taxation of news organizations to copyright issues. Tribune CEO Zell 'Botched' Sale of Cubs Chicago Sun-Times Tribune is selling the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family for $845 million. However, CEO Sam Zell could have gotten about $1 billion for the team if he had acted quickly a year ago. Instead, he pursued an unsuccessful attempt to sell the Cubs' Wrigley Field to the state of Illinois. Sun-Times is 'Perilously Low' on Cash Chicago Tribune Sun-Times Media is draining its dwindling reserves and turning up the heat on management's attempts to sell the company out of bankruptcy. The publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times has just $19.3 million in cash left, leaving it close to becoming "administratively insolvent." NYT Cleans Up Boston Globe for Sale Boston Herald Two investment groups that submitted bids for the Boston Globe are being invited to tour the newspaper next month. Owner New York Times Co. are said to have "cleaned the place up, and polished it to get ready for a sale" by winning $20 million in union concessions. NY Observer Starts a Real Estate Paper New York Times The New York Observer is spinning off a new salmon-colored weekly, the Commercial Observer, covering the commercial real estate market in New York City. The new title, to be delivered free to 10,000 people in the city's real estate business, will not be available on newsstands. Movie Theater Chains Cut Newspaper Ads Associated Press Regal Entertainment and AMC Entertainment are starting to cut the paid, small-type newspaper listings showing theater movie times. Looking to cut costs, the top two U.S. movie theater chains are instead directing consumers to free Web sites like Moviefone. Craigslist Boosted by 'Primitive' Technology Kelsey / NYT Craigslist "is one of the strangest monopolies in history," writes Gary Wolf in the cover story of the September issue of Wired magazine. "Customers are locked in by fees set at zero." The simplistic site makes for a fast-loading mobile app. Also: Craigslist is launching sites for 140 cities. Time Magazine 'Doesn't Work' on the Internet Beet.TV Long form journalism, a staple of magazines like Time, doesn't work on the Web, says Josh Tyrangiel, managing editor of Time.com. "We have the metrics to prove it." Time.com, which publishes stories that are 95% original, aims to "make people smarter while saving them time." Slate Mag Replaces Its Newspaper Roundup New York Times Slate is retiring its "Today's Papers" feature, 12 years after the online magazine started its once-a-day summary of U.S. news pages. In its place comes "Slatest," a news recap updated three times a day -- an acknowledgment that the news cycle has sped up. The Economist Gets a Plug from Twitter Guy Twitter Twitter creator and chairman Jack Dorsey apparently likes some of his media to be longer than 140 characters. This weekend Dorsey tweeted: "I read the Economist every week. I love how it unfolds." He adds that he likes the magazine's politics and business sections. Time Warner Expected to Drop Magazines Barron's Time Warner is likely to shed its magazine business after the spinoff of AOL, says analyst David Miller. Getting rid of the publishing arm, through an outright sale or equity carve out, would make Time Warner look like a "shinier Viacom," with a focus on cable networks and films. Meredith Drops 'Magazines' in Brand Push MrMagazine Meredith, publisher of Better Homes & Gardens, is reintroducing itself in trade advertising as a company "designed for today's media." Magazines are now referred to as "national media brands." One of those brands, Ladies' Home Journal, is being rebranded as simply "LHJ." ZelnickMedia Mulls Bid for BusinessWeek BusinessWeek Final bids are due for McGraw-Hill's BusinessWeek within weeks, and another potential bidder has surfaced: ZelnickMedia, a private equity firm founded by former BMG Entertainment CEO Strauss Zelnick, which owns stakes in outfits including Take Two software. Newsweek Editor Makes Jump to Daily Beast WWD The Daily Beast, the Tina Brown-edited content Web site backed by Barry Diller, is adding Newsweek deputy editor Tom Watson to its roster in the same capacity. "I'm rooting for my colleagues at Newsweek," Watson says, "but the print magazine business is challenged." Conde Nast: Vogue Getting a 'Suite' Deal New York Post Conde Nast's cost cutting has yet to reach Vogue. The company's flagship magazine plans to maintain its tradition of putting Anna Wintour and other top editors up in the finest hotels while covering the fall fashion shows in Europe. Also: Conde Nast is cutting back on coffee stirrers. Tribune Won't Be Liquidated, Exec Says Chicago Tribune Tribune COO Randy Michaels insists that current management will stay in place following the company's emergence from bankruptcy. Reports of a company liquidation are "absurd." Also: Tribune's sale of the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family is "imminent." Philadelphia Newspapers May See Bidders Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia Newspapers, owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, is proposing a bankruptcy reorganization plan that would use cash and property to clear about $300 million in debt. The plan, which requires court approval, could allow the company to be open to bidders. Murdoch to Shutter Free London Newspaper Dow Jones News Corp.'s News International plans to close thelondonpaper, its free evening newspaper in London, in yet another sign of the difficulties in the publishing industry. CEO Rupert Murdoch recently announced that he plans to charge for access to online content. ESPN Offers Its Magazine, Web Site for $1 CNBC ESPN is offering a full-year subscription to both ESPN The Magazine and its pay Web site ESPN Insider for just $1. The goal of the promotion is to get people to check out the paid site, which usually costs $40 a year. "They're not signing up for it at the numbers we had hoped for." CBS to Run Video Ad in Time Inc Magazine CNET CBS will advertise its fall season with a video-chip ad embedded in Entertainment Weekly. The Sept. 18 issue of the Time Inc. magazine will feature the first-ever video ad to appear in print. The ad will be launched in partnership with PepsiCo to promote Pepsi Max soda. Murdoch's WSJ: Newspapers Are 'Troubled' Wall Street Journal The prognosis "remains troubled" for newspaper companies, according to the "Heard on the Street" column in the Wall Street Journal. The recession has "intensified" a decline in classified advertising as marketers shift to the Internet. Newspaper ads "remain under long-term pressure." Village Voice Media Sells Nashville Weekly Tennessean Village Voice Media is selling the Nashville Scene, a local alternative weekly, to Nashville-based SouthComm, which owns Nashville's the City Paper and NashvillePost.com. The new owner plans to dominate local arts and culture news, a model it hopes to "replicate in other cities." Newspapers Form Sports Content Alliance Editor & Publisher Nearly 50 U.S. daily newspapers are joining a new national sports content-sharing alliance that will trade stories and columns. The project will have a Web-site base where newspapers file stories to share with others. "So many papers are no longer covering the big events." CareerBuilder Launches a Rival to LinkedIn WebProNews CareerBuilder, the job search site owned by Gannett, Tribune, McClatchy and Microsoft, is launching BrightFuse, an online social network for professionals. The site is described as "a free community for workers of all levels and industries to showcase their talents." Tribune Employee Shares May Be 'Worthless' New York Post Tribune's short-lived experiment with employee ownership is said to be coming to an end. While the company is still navigating the bankruptcy process, creditors are seen as unlikely to keep the employee stock ownership plan, leaving workers with "worthless shares." Washington Post Scraps Hyperlocal Web Site Associated Press The Washington Post is shuttering an experimental Web site, LoudounExtra, which provided news about events in nearby Loudoun County, Va. "It's still unclear whether this so-called 'hyperlocal' approach can generate enough revenue to justify the additional overhead." NY Daily News Surpasses WSJ on the Web Editor & Publisher Mort Zuckerman's New York Daily News was the fourth most visited newspaper Web site in July, says Nielsen Online. The paper's rise on the list bumped Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal down to sixth place. The Daily News grew its monthly uniques 112%; the Journal's fell 4%. Chicago Tribune Hires Print, Web Cartoonist Chicago Tribune Bucking a trend in newspapers, the Chicago Tribune is hiring Birmingham News cartoonist Scott Stantis for its editorial board. Stantis will be the Tribune's first staff editorial cartoonist since the June 2000 death of Pulitzer Prize-winner Jeff MacNelly. Chicago Sun-Times Journo Bob Novak Dies Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Sun-Times columnist Bob Novak, one of the most influential U.S. journalists, who relished his "Prince of Darkness" public persona, died at home in Chicago on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer. Novak, 78, was a well-known television personality, appearing on many CNN shows. Newspapers 'Least Effective' for Job Searches eWeek Newspaper classified ads and job fairs are ineffective job search tools, according to a poll of human resources execs by the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The Internet and online social networks such as LinkedIn rank much higher. Craigslist Ad Leads to First Felony Charge St. Louis Post-Dispatch A Missouri woman is being charged with cyberbullying for allegedly posting photos and personal information of a teenage girl on the "Casual Encounters" section of Craigslist after an argument. The woman is the first person charged with "felony cyberbullying" under a new state law. Vogue Model May Unmask 'Skanks' Blogger CNET / NYP Vogue cover model Liskula Cohen is entitled to learn the identity of the person who slammed her on the blog Skanks In NYC, a judge in New York has ruled. The blog "potentially defamed" Cohen. The blogger's email address is being revealed. Conde Nast Consultants Eye Two Magazines New York Observer Vogue and Conde Nast Traveler magazines are getting a close examination by McKinsey & Co., in order to serve as models for how owner Conde Nast will "rethink" its business. Vogue editor Anna Wintour is "beginning to the get the Web," perhaps awakened by the study. The Economist Subleases from Conde Nast Crain's New York The Economist is relocating its New York offices to 750 Third Avenue. The address is also home to Portfolio.com, which lives on even though its namesake magazine was folded by Conde Nast. A division of Conde Nast is subleasing space to The Economist. BusinessWeek Bidders Skeptical of Sale Price New York Post Bidders are said to be skeptical about the sale price McGraw-Hill is seeking for BusinessWeek, arguing that the money-losing weekly faces considerable costs. New York magazine owner Bruce Wasserstein is believed to be the front-runner among the nine known interested parties. Tribune CEO Zell May Abandon Company New York Post Tribune chief Sam Zell is said to be close to giving up his claims to buy a 40% stake in the company and is ready to walk away from the bankrupt media giant. But a Tribune spokesman insists that Zell remains "actively engaged and committed to Tribune." Reader's Digest Plans Bankruptcy Filing Bloomberg Reader's Digest Association, publisher of the pocket-sized magazine, is to file for bankruptcy under a deal with its lenders. CEO Mary Berner says the company may emerge from bankruptcy within 45 days to 90 days. "There's no anticipated layoffs, no anticipated business closings." NY Times Seeks Readers' Input on Future Poynter The New York Times is going public with discussion of online pay content options. Some 3,000 readers have joined the newspaper's Insight Lab, an "insiders' club" for discussion of the Times. Chief among the topics is paid content. Opinions on the issue are "all over the map." Cox Moves Atlanta J-C Into Former Macy's Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Atlanta Journal-Constitution plans to relocate its headquarters from its longtime home in downtown Atlanta to smaller, leased office space in a former regional office for Macy's department store. The move is the latest cost-cutting measure by the Cox Enterprises newspaper. Newsday Rejects Ad Criticizing Cablevision New York Times Newsday last week rejected an advertisement from the Tennis Channel that sharply criticized the newspaper's parent company, Cablevision, for not carrying the network. "Thanks for nothing Cablevision," says the ad, which shows a tennis racket smashing a cable box. Microsoft, Advance Team to Sell Local Ads Editor & Publisher Advance Internet, the division representing 36 newspaper Web sites owned by the Newhouse family, including NOLA.com and NJ.com, is partnering with Microsoft to sell local advertising. Advance will expand its local market reach to 75% of all adults who use the Internet. Monocle Mag Grows 'Tactile, Exciting' Brand Independent Monocle, the international style magazine, is growing its circulation, opening foreign bureaus, moving into retail and planning a radio network. "When you are competing against digital," muses founder Tyler Brule, "your print experience needs to be tactile, exciting and a bit collectable." Financial Times to Add Micropayments Online New York Times The Financial Times, which has charged for its Web site since 2002, plans to add a new form of paid Web access next year involving micropayments for individual articles. "Quality journalism has to be paid for," says FT CEO John Ridding, echoing News Corp.'s Rupert Murdoch. Wall St Journal Hiring For New Paid Site InformationWeek Rupert Murdoch wasn't kidding when he said that his properties would start charging for all online content. His Wall Street Journal has placed at least three different ads seeking executive-level editors for "a new business Web site" that will "break ground in the paid-content arena." Conde Nast Eyes International for Growth Guardian Conde Nast International, run out of London by Jonathan Newhouse, is said to account for about 40% to 50% of the group's revenues. The international arm's Web sites are being overhauled following the recruitment of a new digital head, former Skype exec James Bilfield. Portfolio, Vibe to Relaunch for Internet DMNews Two magazines that shuttered earlier this year are making comebacks with a digital focus: Vibe, under new ownership, will relaunch in print and online this fall, while Conde Nast's Portfolio has reopened as a Web-only venture owned by American City Business Journals. Fashion Mags Get Thinner as Ads Go Online Wall Street Journal U.S. fashion magazines' September issues this year are almost as skinny as the models inside. High-end fashion brands are starting to shift their advertising budgets to lower-cost, often more measurable online outlets, including Twitter, YouTube, DailyCandy and Glam Media. ESPN Mag Seen Risking 'Suicide' for $1 MrMagazine ESPN The Magazine is offering a special subscription renewal rate of an entire year for just $1 -- "an unbelievable savings of $128.74 off the newsstand price!" The move, says Samir "Mr. Magazine" Husni, is "another example of a print publication committing publishing suicide." Magazine Launches in '08: Food Over Sex MinOnline The 2009 edition of Samir "Mr. Magazine" Husni's Guide to New Magazines charts 2008's 685 U.S. launches. The dominant launch sector: epicurean, with 103 new titles, followed by crafts/games, at 67. Sex, which dominated the guides in the 1980s and 1990s, was ice-cold, at 17. Time Inc Buys Detroit Home for Journalists Detroit Free Press In an unusual move, Time Inc. has purchased a five-bedroom house in Detroit to serve as a base of operation as the company's various magazines -- Time, Fortune, Money and People -- chronicle the city's struggle to reinvent itself. Time Inc. paid $99,000 in cash for the house. Obama is 'Unable to Save' News Business Washington Post Dan Rather is calling on President Obama to form a commission to help save the news industry. However, "in a world of Twitter feeds and gigabytes of gossip," many people see no need to pay for news, writes Howard Kurtz. "That is not a problem that the president can fix." Murdoch Tabloid Makes Web Job Listings Free Brand Republic Rupert Murdoch wants to charge for online news -- but not necessarily for online job listings. His London tabloid The Sun has waived the charge for companies to list jobs on its Web site in a self-styled "Sunemployment" crusade to help fight Britain's growing unemployment. Wall St Journal to Lead Pay Way for Murdoch PR Week UK News Corp.'s Wall Street Journal already charges for all its online content through digital subscriptions. The company is said to be planning to introduce micro-payments for individual articles and premium subscriptions to the WSJ.com site later this year. Brill's Journalism Online Gets 506 Customers Crain's New York Journalism Online, the startup dedicated to helping monetize news Web sites, says it has reached deals with 506 newspapers and magazines. The affiliates will identify themselves and explain their payment plans in separate announcements, the company says. Tribune: Creditors Plan to Force Out CEO Zell Chicago Sun-Times Creditors are working on a reorganization plan for bankrupt Tribune that would elbow aside CEO Sam Zell. The creditors, including investment banks, could stage a takeover of their own and sell off Tribune newspapers and TV stations as they see fit. "The banks will be in charge." McGraw-Hill: BusinessWeek Sale Not Imminent WWD A deal for McGraw-Hill to sell BusinessWeek magazine could be put together within the next few months, media observers say. So far, interested parties are said to include OpenGate Capital, Warburg Pincus, Bruce Wasserstein, Platinum Equity, and Mansueto Ventures. Conde Nast: AD Editor Rense Rumored to Exit New York Post Conde Nast is denying talk that longtime Architectural Digest editor Paige Rense will be gone before year's end, and that a search for her successor has quietly begun. "It is simply not true," says a spokeswoman. Rense responds: "I'll step down when S.I. Newhouse Jr. steps down." Monocle Magazine Editor Inspires Fan Web Site Portfolio The editor of Monocle magazine, the international business and culture title, has inspired the launch of a Web site, Being Tyler Brule. The site is the creation of two Swedish fans, who chronicle editor Brule's "fabulous lifestyle." Brule, however, says he finds the site "odd." People Magazine Bests Wall St Journal Online MinOnline Among print brands online, NYTimes.com enjoys a comfortable lead, followed by USAToday.com, according to MarketingCharts.com, which has published a breakdown of online traffic. People.com, in third place, ranks ahead of Washingtonpost.com and WSJ.com. NY Times Launches a 'Refreshing' Wine Club Reuters The New York Times has licensed its brand to the Global Wine Company to create the New York Times Wine Club. Unlike most wine clubs, participants can simply order a single shipment of wine, without then having to opt out of getting future shipments automatically. Media: Literacy Level of Recruits a Big Concern Guardian The literacy level of young recruits at newspapers and magazines is becoming a major concern, according to a report by U.K. training watchdog Skillset. The impact of digital technology has exposed "critical" skill gaps in writing, editing and interviewing. News Media Diversity is Tested by Economy Boston Globe At the Asian American Journalists Association convention this week in Boston, minority journalism groups are discussing how to maintain diversity in the press, as the industry struggles with revenue losses and job cuts due in part to the flight of readers and advertisers to the Web. Washingtonian Hires Ex-Blogger as Editor Washington Post Garrett Graff, the 28-year-old executive editor of the Washingtonian, is being named top editor, replacing Jack Limpert, 75. Graff, who will be the third editor in the magazine's 44-year history, joined the Capital-Gazette monthly four years ago to energize its Web site. Wenner's Us Weekly Bests People Online WWD Us Weekly is one of the few magazines that is expanding in the tough economy. The title's usmagazine.com registered more unique visitors than one of its biggest rivals, People.com, for the month of July, the first time the Wenner Web site has surpassed the Time Inc. property. Hearst Mags to 'Work Harder' on Newsstand WWD Two Hearst magazines are going to great lengths to stake their claim on newsstands this fall. British Harper's Bazaar has supersized its September issue, printing it in a larger format, while the U.K. edition of Esquire has given its September issue a hardback cover for the newsstand. Tribune's LA Times Redesigns Web Site Los Angeles Times The Los Angeles Times is unveiling a redesign of its Web site, aiming to publish "more stunning visual, interactive journalism." The site includes a faster-loading video player and a "more readable" typeface. Tribune sibling Chicago Tribune recently redesigned its Web site. Gannett to Cut 70 More Jobs in Westchester New York Times The Journal News, a Westchester area newspaper owned by Gannett, has told all 288 of its employees that their jobs were being eliminated and they would need to apply for "redefined positions." The move, the paper says, is an acknowledgement that "our business has changed." Platinum Equity's San Diego Paper Cuts Jobs SignOnSanDiego The San Diego Union-Tribune is eliminating 112 jobs as part of a number of initiatives that also includes new editorial and advertising offerings. It is also announcing a planned redesign of its SignOnSanDiego.com. The newspaper was sold to investment firm Platinum Equity in May. Journal Register: We're No Longer Bankrupt Reuters Journal Register, which filed for Chapter 11 in February, says it has emerged from bankruptcy. The publisher of 20 U.S. daily newspapers, including the New Haven Register, has closed on financing from JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, as well as a new credit deal with Wachovia. Florida Weekly Newspaper to Go Online Only Miami Herald The weekly Coral Gables Gazette in Florida is dropping its print edition. The Limestone Communication newspaper says the Internet offers "the ability to keep our readers better informed in a more timely fashion." The switch will save $500,000 a year in operating costs. Associated Press May Hold Some Web Content Nieman Journalism Lab The Associated Press is mulling a plan to prevent members and customers from publishing some AP content on their Web sites. Instead, those news outlets would link to the content on a central AP site -- a move that could upend the consortium's traditional notions of syndication. Perez Hilton Launches Spinoff Fashion Site Express Night Out Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton is expanding his offerings with the new CocoPerez.com, focusing on fashion. The female, twentysomething audience "is my primary demographic," he says, adding that he plans to break "a lot of fashion and celebrity-related stories." Vibe Magazine to Relaunch with Digital Focus Wall Street Journal Vibe, the hip-hop magazine that folded six weeks ago under a pile of debt, is being resurrected with a new spin -- as a Web-focused publication. Vibe is being acquired by a group led by private-equity firm InterMedia Partners and InterMedia's luxury mag publisher, Uptown Media. Seventeen, Runner's World Eye Mobile for Ads GigaOM / WWD Mountain View, Calif.-based NearbyNow is aiming to move magazine advertising to mobile phones, and is showing off new iPhone applications for Hearst's Seventeen magazine that include ads from major brands. Also: Men's Health, Wired and other mags are getting iPhone apps. The Economist Offers One-Issue Subscriptions Guardian The Economist has launched a single copy subscription service that allows readers to order just one copy of the magazine for home delivery the next day. The service allows U.K. readers to place an order online or via text message for a single copy of the latest issue. Conde Nast: New Yorker is 'Exempt' from Cuts New York Observer McKinsey & Co. is eight weeks away from making its recommendations for changes devised to help boost the bottom line at Conde Nast. It appears, though, that The New Yorker will be exempt. Chief Si Newhouse says that the title's editorial staffers are "not to worry about anything." Meredith: We're Much More Than Magazines Des Moines Register Meredith hopes a new logo featuring four interlocking m's will remind people that it is more than a magazine company. The Des Moines-based publisher is announcing a rebranding campaign aiming to show that it has evolved into a "multifaceted media and marketing company." Tribune Must Show Details on $70M Bonus Plan Chicago Tribune An employee union should be allowed to see details about Tribune's proposal to give bonuses totaling as much as $67 million to some 700 managers, a federal bankruptcy judge has ruled. A hearing on whether the court should OK the plan has been postponed until September. McClatchy: KC Star to Furlough Employees Kansas City Business The Kansas City Star will implement one-week furloughs for most employees through year's end in response to the tough economy. Owner McClatchy also is extending its companywide salary freeze through the end of the year, although furloughs are not being made companywide. Hearst Web Newspapers to Use Flyerboard Ads ClickZ The newest online ad format being used by newspapers is PaperG's Flyerboard, described as the online equivalent of community bulletin boards found in coffee shops and laundromats. Hearst plans to deploy Flyerboards across its 15 newspaper properties, including SFGate.com. Guardian Mulls Paid-For Web 'Members Club' Journalism.co.uk The Guardian, seeking to boost revenues, will not introduce a pay wall to its Web site, the U.K. newspaper says. Instead, the Guardian is considering a paid-for "members club," which would offer "extra benefits," such as special offers from partners and exclusive content. Comics Coming to Cellphones, Kindles, iPods CNN Are comics made to be read on cellphones, Kindles and iPods the new pulp of pop culture? Apple's App Store, a hotbed for mobile innovation, has seen an increase in applications dedicated to reading comics, many of which are also available on a variety of other mobile platforms. Tribune Launches Its Own Local HuffPost Chicago Tribune The Chicago Tribune is officially launching ChicagoNow, a network of more than 70 local blogs that has been available to the public as a beta site since May 26. ChicagoNow, described as "Huffington Post meets Facebook," compensates its bloggers on the basis of visits by local users. NY Mag Online Commenters Get Role in Ads Wall Street Journal British bank HSBC is unveiling a campaign that taps some of New York Magazine's top online commenters for a series of chatroom-style advertisements. Five NYMag.com commenters were selected to participate in the ad "conversations," where other readers can chime in. Magazines to Seek Help from Supermarkets DMNews The trade group Magazine Publishers of America is holding a promotion in supermarkets designed to boost newsstand sales. Customers at participating stores will get a $2 discount on their next store purchase when they buy two or more consumer magazines in a single trip. Twelve Magazines That Aren't Dead Yet Newsweek A dozen U.S. consumer magazines -- including Fitness, The Week, OK! and Family Circle -- managed to attract more advertising pages in this year's first six months than they did in the first half of 2008. Among the reasons: new redesigns, new editors and "old-fashioned stunts." 'Murdoch Model' for Web Pay is Debated ABC / Guardian Rivals and analysts are questioning Rupert Murdoch's plan to switch to a pay model for online news. Some think that locking up news behind a pay wall would be a "huge mistake." Others argue that fees alone won't be enough; news sites will need to "host transactions." AOL to Become 'World's Largest Publisher' BNET / WaPo AOL says it plans to become the world's largest publisher of quality content. Layoffs in traditional media have brought "a universe of talented writers" to the Internet company. Also: One AOL site editor says her goal is "to preserve the values of the mainstream media." Boston Globe Mulls Charging for Web Site Boston Herald The Boston Globe plans to begin charging for its Web site, as owner New York Times confirms that the money-losing newspaper is for sale. "It's going to happen one way or another," says a Globe spokesman. "We are looking at different options, and the goal would be to generate revenue." NYT's Keller: News 'Innovators' Will Survive Crain's New York New York Times top editor Bill Keller says newspapers have a future -- just not necessarily all of them. Keller sees the landscape 10 years from now filled with "innovators," including philanthropically funded newsrooms like ProPublica and opinion-oriented upstarts like Huffington Post. Seattle Times Prospers in One-Paper Town New York Times The struggling Seattle Times became the city's only daily newspaper in March after rival Hearst closed the print edition of its Seattle Post-Intelligencer, making it online-only. Less than five months later, the Times is "starting to operate in the black," says publisher Frank Blethen. Newspaper Ad Sales to Recover Next Year Bloomberg U.S. newspaper publishers will see advertising sales pick up in 2010 following a 10% drop this year, according to ad research firm Borrell Associates. Print ad sales will gain 2.4% to $36.8 billion as smaller newspapers' appeal to local marketers is expected to recover. Perez Hilton to Launch Another Web Site Los Angeles Times Perez Hilton is preparing to debut a second Web site aimed at his vast audience of women in their 20s. The gossip blogger is said to command some $72,000 for a single 24-hour wallpaper-style ad on his site. The new site is a response to "advertisers asking for something different." Craigslist Running 'Disguised' Hooker Ads San Francisco Chronicle Pressured by law enforcement, Craigslist cracked down on prostitution ads in May by promising to review adult ads. But by many accounts, prostitution ads on the site have simply become "disguised." Connecticut's attorney general plans to ask Craigslist to take more "aggressive action." Hearst, Lifetime in Five-Year 'Runway' Deal World Screen Lifetime Television has secured a five-year partnership with Hearst's Marie Claire magazine for both "Project Runway" and "Models of the Runway." The deal provides significant "brand exposure" for the magazine on both series, including product integration and editor appearances. Magazines to Try Cover Pouches for Ads New York Times The cover of the new issue of Hearst's House Beautiful includes a pouch containing a pull-out chart offering paint advice for readers -- with an ad for Glidden paints on the back. Editor Stephen Drucker says "this is a great demonstration" of "how to make magazines exciting again." Rupert's Readers: We're Not Going to Pay The Age Readers of Rupert Murdoch's news.com.au site in Australia have panned the announcement that pay walls are to be erected around all News Corp.'s Web news outlets. An online report about the move attracted 140 mostly negative comments, with many readers vowing to boycott. News Corp to Test Web Strategy in London Guardian Rupert Murdoch will use the Sunday Times of London as a testbed for his new strategy designed to transform the finances of his newspaper business by charging for online content. The Sunday Times will launch a new site in November, which is expected to be "pay-to-view." Financial Times to Debut iTunes Pay Model Independent The Financial Times is in talks to introduce a "pay-per-article" system inspired by Apple iTunes. FT execs are in discussions with payment processor companies to establish an easy "one click" procedure that would enable consumers to pay a small fee for a single article. NY Times to 'Explore' Sale of Boston Globe Boston Globe New York Times Co. has confirmed for the first time that it is looking into a sale of its struggling Boston Globe. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it has retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. to explore a potential sale. Cox Decides Not to Sell Austin Newspaper Austin American-Statesman Cox Enterprises, owner of the Austin American-Statesman, has taken the newspaper off the market, a year after putting it up for sale. Cox execs say the offers that the company received weren't high enough. Cox chose not to "preside over a fire sale." Time Inc Shutters Southern Accents Magazine New York Post Time Warner's magazine unit is closing 32-year-old Southern Accents, a luxury lifestyle title. About 20 people are out of a job, including publisher Steve Cumming. The Birmingham, Ala.-based magazine was acquired in 1985. The SouthernAccents.com site will continue to operate. Murdoch Vows Web News Fees, Kindle Fight Australian News Corp., reporting a quarterly loss, plans to charge for online news across its many media outlets. "Quality journalism is not cheap," says chief Rupert Murdoch. He adds that he is irked by News Corp.'s revenue cut from Amazon's Kindle device. It will lead to "a break between us." Tribune Co Bonus Plan Raises Questions Chicago Tribune The U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee in Tribune Co.'s Chapter 11 case and three of the company's unions have raised objections to management's plan to pay out tens of millions of dollars in performance bonuses. The company "didn't provide enough data to justify its incentive plan." NY Times, Tribune Journos to Host 'Movies' Chicago Tribune Disney's ABC Media Productions is overhauling the syndicated TV program "At the Movies," with new hosts Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune and A.O. Scott of the New York Times. The new hosts "are regarded by millions of people as authorities in film criticism." Newspaper Sites Draw 36% of Web Surfers MarketWatch Newspaper Web sites attracted 70.3 million unique visitors in June, representing 36% of all Internet users, says a study from the Newspaper Association of America. Also, another study from the NAA indicates that 82% of adults "took action" because of newspaper advertising. Chicago Tribune Unveils Web Site Redesign Chicago Tribune Chicagotribune.com is taking the wraps off a new site design, aiming to provide users with "a cleaner look, easier navigation and improved interactivity." New tools will "enhance" how readers interact with articles and "faster loading" video players will help improve streaming. 'Media Brain Trust' Sees Many Print Deaths Daily Finance BusinessWeek, TV Guide and the San Francisco Chronicle are among the print titles headed for the recycle bin, in the view of the "Media Brain Trust," a group of execs, editors, publishers and consultants. Some old brands have enough "perceived value" that "somebody will keep them afloat." Conde Nast: Ad Pages, Revenue Sink New York Post Conde Nast is reeling from what is expected to be a loss of 5,000 advertising pages this year, translating into a revenue shortfall of between $275 million and $350 million. Yesterday, the company let go nine people from its editorial desk and receptionist pool. Hachette: Where the Elle Is It Moving? New York Observer Elle publisher Hachette Filipacchi might try to save on rent by leaving its Manhattan headquarters at 1633 Broadway for more austere, smaller digs. The magazine giant has begun to narrow its options, including a possible relocation to Worldwide Plaza on Eighth Avenue. Playboy: No Comment on Sale Possibility Wall Street Journal Playboy Enterprises is reporting a loss of nearly $9 million for the second quarter because of a restructuring charge largely related to the closure of its New York office. Private-equity firms have been exploring a possible acquisition of the floundering company. Financial Times Mulls Web Micropayments Brand Republic Financial Times editor Lionel Barber says that the newspaper industry must charge for online content and explains how rival news organizations can follow the FT. News outlets "need to have a unique selling proposition." He adds that the FT is looking at micropayments. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Cuts 92 Jobs Associated Press Journal Communications, the publisher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, is cutting 92 jobs as the advertising slump continues to ravage the newspaper business. The cuts represent 6.2% of the work force at the Journal Sentinel. It includes 37 voluntary newsroom buyouts. Time Inc May Sell Less-Successful Magazines Washington Post Analysts say they are becoming "comfortable" with Time Warner as it jettisons AOL and becomes "more of a pure content play." Although the Time Inc. division is struggling, the media giant reportedly plans to remain in the magazine business, but might sell off its less-successful titles. NY Times Co. PR Chief Mathis is Leaving New York Observer Catherine Mathis, the New York Times Co.'s longtime head of public relations, is leaving the company to join Standard & Poor's. The company admits in a memo announcing her departure that she has served as chief communications strategist during very "challenging" times. LA Times Names Execs to New Positions Los Angeles Times The Los Angeles Times Media Group is naming three senior execs -- Scott McKibben, John O'Loughlin and Dawn Girocco -- to new positions that will focus on boosting advertising revenue. The three execs "are poised to effectively address the complexities of the market." Murdoch's Times Web Site May Charge Fee Financial Times News Corp.'s Sunday Times of London plans set up its own Web site, and online readers may be charged to read its articles. A decision is yet to be made on whether the new site will be free, paid-for or a hybrid model. The venture is expected to be closely watched by other publishers. Google Quadruples Its Newspaper Archive TechCrunch Google says it recently quadrupled the number of newspaper articles in its News Archive Search. The news tool allows users to search the text of publications dating as far back as 200 years old. Google is adding articles from the Village Voice, Sydney Morning Herald and others. Hearst Newspapers Inks Web Ad Unit Pact Mediaweek Online advertising company PaperG is entering an agreement with Hearst Newspapers to implement the Flyerboard ad unit across 15 of Hearst's Web properties. Flyerboard takes a virtual bulletin board approach giving small local businesses a way to advertise. Elle Produces 'Mini-Mag' for New Mariah CD Billboard Island Def Jam Music is teaming up with Elle magazine to produce a 34-page "mini-magazine" for the CD booklet of Mariah Carey's new release, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel." The mag contains Mariah-centric editorial and advertisements from the likes of Elizabeth Arden. Allure Gives Away $560K in Beauty 'Booty' AHN Conde Nast's Allure magazine is giving away 33,683 beauty products worth $560,000 to lucky readers during the month of August. Readers just have to log on to the magazine's Web site to enter. Citing research, 91% of women who try a beauty product sample say it led to a purchase. Newsweek Steps Up Effort to Free Reporter New York Times Newsweek is escalating its pressure on the government of Iran to release Maziar Bahari, a journalist who was detained there during the post-election protests in June. The newsweekly is objecting to Bahari's treatment in ads, petitions and in a report on its Web site. Plastic Logic to Launch Flex-Screen E-Reader Times of London Plastic Logic, from Cambridge University's Cavendish Laboratory, will launch the world's first flexible electronic screen in the United States early next year at a price near Amazon's $299 Kindle. Electronic "moving newspapers" are expected to be a popular use of the new technology. Zinio Sees a Boost from Online Magazines San Francisco Chronicle Zinio, the San Francisco-based seller of electronic magazines, is seeing its business take off. The company now delivers about 3 million e-magazines and textbooks each month. "People are becoming more receptive toward reading on their screen," says CEO Richard Maggiotto. Wall St Journal Creating 'LinkedIn Killer' TechCrunch The Wall Street Journal is said to be developing a new online social network, to be called WSJ Connect, which is described as a "LinkedIn Killer." News Corp. sibling Slingshot Labs, the media giant's arm that works on digital products, is helping build the site. McGraw-Hill: BusinessWeek Eyed by Buyers BusinessWeek Private equity firms Platinum Equity and Warburg Pincus are among the companies meeting with BusinessWeek management to view financial data on the magazine, which is being put up for sale by McGraw-Hill. More than half a dozen potential bidders are said to be expected. NY Times Gets Two Offers for Boston Globe Boston Globe New York Times Co. has received offers from two potential buyers for the unprofitable Boston Globe newspaper. The bidders include a group led by Bain Capital exec Stephen Pagliuca and another led by Stephen Taylor, a member of the family that previously owned the Globe. Boston Globe Bidder Mulls Nonprofit Status Boston Herald One of the bidders for the Boston Globe -- a group headed by Bain Capital's Stephen Pagliuca -- is considering a "civic approach" to running the money-losing newspaper. Such a move would require the owner to basically donate the multimillion property to a nonprofit charity. NY Daily News to Lure Readers, Ads with Color Bloomberg Mort Zuckerman plans to spend several million dollars on new color printing presses for his New York Daily News, enabling the newspaper to print color cover to cover, and draw back readers and advertisers. But analysts say: "This is too little, too late if you're competing with the Web." Washington Post Sees Profit from Kaplan Unit CNBC Washington Post Co. is reporting that its quarterly earnings swung to a profit, thanks to its Kaplan education division. Print advertising revenue in its newspaper division plummeted 20%. The recently redesigned Newsweek magazine suffered a 40% drop in ad revenue. WSJ: Suspect Arrested in Daniel Pearl Murder Associated Press Police in Pakistan say they have arrested a member of an outlawed, al-Qaida-linked group that was suspected of involvement in the 2002 beheading of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Rao Shakir, a purported member of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, was arrested Friday. Guardian Mulls Closure of Sunday Newspaper Financial Times The U.K.'s Guardian News and Media, the parent company of the Observer, is considering options for the future of the 218-year-old Sunday newspaper that could see it close in its current form. A secret "dummy" of a weekly news magazine bearing the Observer brand is being eyed. Conde Nast to Face McKinsey 'Rethinking' MediaFreak McKinsey & Co. is just starting to roll up its sleeves at Conde Nast. Some speculate that the consulting firm will recommend the magazine publisher reduce the frequency of some of its titles and maybe even ditch its smaller publications. Conde Nast "needs to decide what it wants to be." Magazines Eye Web for New Subscriptions BtoB Print magazine subscriptions originating from the Internet are expected to represent much of the new business sales among members of the Magazine Publishers of America, according to a study by the association. "The Web is becoming the No. 1 source for subscriptions." EW Ex-Head Donaton Eyes Branded Content Ad Age Scott Donaton, the former publisher of Entertainment Weekly, is being named by Interpublic's Mediabrands to lead a new branded- entertainment unit dubbed Ensemble. Branded content "hasn't realized its full potential," says Donaton, previously editor-turned-publisher at Ad Age. Rodale: CEO Out as Family Takes Control Crain's New York Rodale CEO Steven Murphy is stepping down and will be replaced by Maria Rodale, granddaughter of the media company's founder. It is believed that at one point in recent years Murphy had been looking into finding a buyer for the company and ran into resistance from the family. Reed Elsevier to Sell Most U.S. Trade Mags Variety Reed Elsevier plans to sell nearly all of its U.S. trade magazines, including Broadcasting & Cable and Publishers Weekly. Amid the advertising downturn, the titles "are less well suited" to strategy. Variety is among the titles it will keep. U.S. CEO Tad Smith is resigning in the move. Wired Magazine Cancels NextFest Tech Expo Mediaweek Wired magazine is canceling NextFest, its annual tech expo. As advertisers trade big, multiple-sponsor programs for pared-down ones, magazines are canceling some of their tent-pole events. Wired says it will reevaluate bringing back NextFest in the future. Lee Reports 'Cautious Optimism' on Ads St. Louis Business Lee Enterprises, parent company of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, says it lost $24.5 million in the third quarter as advertising revenue fell more than 24%. Still, CEO Mary Junck says: "Many of our publishers are reporting cautious optimism from an increasing number of local advertisers." Conde Nast Pulls Newspaper Subscriptions Mediaite An internal memo from Conde Nast to all employees regarding "changes to expense practices" says that the magazine publisher is discontinuing subscriptions to newspapers. "Deliveries will end as soon as practicable." Even single copy purchases "will no longer be reimbursed." 'Harry Potter' May Be Bad for Newspapers UPI The way newspapers are represented in the "Harry Potter" books could have a negative impact on young people's understanding of journalism, says research from Baylor University. Journalism is depicted in the books by J.K. Rowling as "corrupt and deceptive." Washington Post Revamps Mobile Strategy Wall Street Journal The Washington Post is unveiling a new mobile version of its Web site, designed for maximum utility for locals. The site offers customized data on areas like public transportation and weather. "In the very near future" it will let users make restaurant reservations and buy movie tickets. Meredith Sees Difficult Ad Market in 2010 Associated Press Meredith, which owns magazines such as Better Homes & Gardens as well as local television stations, says it expects advertising to continue to be hurt by the recession in 2010. Also, the company expects magazine and broadcasting nonpolitical ad revenue will improve. Martha Stewart Posts a Loss on Magazines Associated Press Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is posting a second-quarter loss as the advertising and retail markets continue their slump. The drop in revenue is mostly from the company's publishing unit, which includes Martha Stewart Living magazine. Internet ads are up 28% for the quarter. Reed Elsevier to Sell Publishers Weekly Financial Times Reed Elsevier canceled the sale of trade magazine unit Reed Business Information in December because bids weren't high enough. Certain parts of the unit will now be divested, the company says, such as Publishers Weekly, the book industry title. Hollywood bible Variety is not for sale. AOL Newsrooms Now Employ 1,500 Writers TechCrunch AOL, which is evolving into an online media powerhouse, now has 1,500 people writing content across its scores of content sub-brands. The Time Warner online unit is hiring these journalists from "the failing print world" -- BusinessWeek, New York Times, Forbes, Conde Nast. Milken Backs New Business Advice Web Site New York Times As Forbes, Fortune, BusinessWeek and other management magazines wither, a business media start-up with an unusual pedigree is moving to fill the void. The new online Bizmore, backed by financier Michael Milken, aims to be a sort of Yahoo Answers for business execs. Social-Media Skills Crucial for Media Workers Atlanta Journal-Constitution Today's job market is shifting in favor of individuals who are skilled in social media, recruiters say. "If you're in advertising or communications, it's now required for you to be savvy in social media." Many online job postings now include Twitter and Facebook requirements for applicants. Hearst Synergy at Work for 'Project Runway' Multichannel News Lifetime Television, in conjunction with co-owner Hearst, will present local affiliates with free, one-year subscriptions to the publisher's Marie Claire magazine, which advertisers can extend to customers. Marie Claire is currently offering one-year subscriptions online for $8. Lagardere Looking to Sell U.S. Elle to Hearst New York Post French publisher Lagardere is said to be in talks with Harper's Bazaar publisher Hearst about taking over the U.S. operations of fashion magazine Elle. The most likely scenario would be the creation of a licensing deal, similar to how Hearst publishes Lagardere's U.S. Marie Claire. McGraw-Hill Considers Sale of More Assets Bloomberg McGraw-Hill is reporting its second-quarter profit fell 23%, citing a weak advertising market. The company, which is looking to sell BusinessWeek magazine, is now looking at all assets. "In conditions like this, everything in the portfolio gets scrutinized," says CEO Terry McGraw. Tribune Could Exit Bankruptcy by End of '09 Reuters Tribune could emerge from bankruptcy by the end of this year, says CEO Sam Zell. "No plan has been put forward yet, though everybody's working on one." The company is seeking a second extension to file its reorganization plan with the U.S. bankruptcy court. Reader's Digest Eyes Growth in Mobile, Video Folio Reader's Digest says it aims to transform the brand into a multi-platform experience. "We're focusing on video," says acting general manager Jonathan Hills. "One of our key concepts is to present people with quick, concise content on different platforms. That's a big push." Gannett: USA Today to Introduce E-Edition MarketWatch Gannett plans to launch an e-edition of its USA Today newspaper on Aug. 3. The e-edition will be an exact replica of USA Today along with additional interactive and exclusive content. The product will also include a Saturday-Sunday edition called USA Today Extra. Tribune Seeks More Time for Reorganization Chicago Tribune Tribune is asking the court in its bankruptcy case to give management four more months to file a reorganization plan. Tribune says it needs more time to build consensus around a plan, adding that the outcome of the pending sale of the Chicago Cubs could have a "material impact." Financial Times, Economist: Less Ad Reliant Guardian Pearson's FT Publishing, which owns the Financial Times and a 50% stake in The Economist, is reporting a 40% fall in first-half profits amid the advertising downturn. CEO Marjorie Scardino says FT Publishing's strategy is to diversify its revenues to be less reliant on advertising. Conde Nast Sues an Archipelago Over Ads WWD Conde Nast is suing the British protectorate of Turks and Caicos for failing to pay over $1 million for advertising appearing in 2007 and 2008 issues of W, Vanity Fair, Elegant Bride, and the 2007 Fashion Rocks supplement. Conde Nast aims to recover the unpaid sum. People, Us Weekly to Have a Future in Print Media Life Celebrity magazines like People and Us Weekly will continue to have a solid future in print, even with the rise of Web sites like TMZ, according to a survey of media buyers. "There's still a huge appetite for these publications, and they're learning how to use the Web to their advantage." Vogue, Fashion Magazines See 'Darkest Hour' MinOnline U.S. women's fashion magazines are seeing big advertising declines in their critical September issues. Marie Claire publisher Susan Plagemann says: "There are less dollars in the market. Period." But Vogue publishing director Tom Florio is optimistic: "We'll come out of this stronger than ever." Magazine Ad Pages 'Won't Ever Fully Return' Ad Age Magazine advertising pages are unlikely to return to 2007 levels, say ad execs. Any publisher who thinks so "is naive." The recession is only accelerating fundamental industry changes. Leading brands will survive via growth in other areas, including events and paid apps. Playboy Licensing Thrives as Magazine Fades Chicago Sun-Times While Playboy magazine is losing readers, the company's licensing business is exploding, taking in $40.4 million last year. The Playboy bunny icon, which company execs describe as "like the Ralph Lauren polo pony," appears on products including shoes, fragrances and sunglasses. Cablevision Unveils Video-Centric Newsday Newsday Cablevision is unveiling the beta of the a new Web site for Newsday, the Long Island, N.Y., newspaper it acquired last year. The new Newsday.com is heavy on video and short on text. Earlier this year, Cablevision said it aimed to transform the site into a "locally focused cable service." Craigslist is Still Selling Sex, Officials Say Associated Press Two months after Craigslist promised to rid itself of prostitution advertisements, law enforcement officials say the classified ad site is still in the business of selling sex. Craigslist is "playing games," says Cook County sheriff Tom Dart, who sued the site earlier this year. "It's getting old." Bloggers Sell Scoops to British Newspapers IHT Unlike U.S. newspapers, British papers don't appear to be losing scoops to the blogosphere. In fact, some bloggers are said to be selling scoops to British papers, which have few qualms about checkbook journalism. British editors "take risks" and are seen as "more like" bloggers. Hearst Boosts Stake in Fitch Ratings Parent Associated Press Hearst is buying an additional 20% stake in Fitch Group for $427 million. Hearst's stake in Fitch will stand at 40% after the transaction is expected to close this fall. Fitch Group includes the credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings and Fitch Solutions, which distributes Fitch Ratings products. NY Times Still Exploring Paid Online Model MarketWatch New York Times CEO Janet Robinson says that the newspaper publisher is still doing research on "how many readers would pay for online content." She adds that it is too early to speculate on what the research will indicate. The company will report more "in the fall." Advance Newspaper Abandons Print for Web AFP The Ann Arbor News in Michigan is publishing its final daily edition, as owner Advance Publications replaces the 174-year-old newspaper, which had a circulation of 50,000, with AnnArbor.com. A print edition will still be published on Thursdays and Sundays. Meredith Teams With Bushnell for Web Series Mediaweek Meredith's More magazine is teaming up with Candace Bushnell, creator of "Sex and the City" and "Lipstick Jungle," on a new Web series. The series, "The Broadroom," will take a humorous look at workplace issues facing women. As part of the deal, Bushnell will write for More. News Corp Unit to Pay $300M in Coupon Suit Reuters A Michigan court judge is awarding newspaper coupon firm Valassis Communications $300 million in damages in a lawsuit that it filed against News Corp. subsidiary News America Marketing. The suit had claimed NAM engaged in "tortious interference." NAM will appeal the decision. McGraw-Hill Sees Bidders for BusinessWeek BusinessWeek McGraw-Hill's exploration of a sale of BusinessWeek is said to be drawing several potential bidders. They include OpenGate Capital, the owner of TV Guide magazine, and financier Bruce Wasserstein, the owner of New York and The Deal magazines. Wenner Eyes Deputy for Us Weekly Editor New York Post Wenner Media boss Jann Wenner is yet to begin a search for the successor to departing Us Weekly editor Janice Min. He appears to be willing to let Min's deputy, Michael Steele, run the show as acting editor. For the moment, it is Steele's job to lose, sources say. AP Sets Up Tracking System for Web Content Associated Press Aiming to develop a way "for good journalism to survive and thrive," The Associated Press is creating a news registry to track all AP online content. The move intends "to assure compliance with terms of use." The registry will be expanded to cover photos and video. Top News Stories Differ in Old, New Media Broadcasting & Cable The top news story of the week increasingly depends on which medium is carrying the message. According to the Project for Excellence in Journalism, the top story in the traditional media the week of July 13-17 was Sonia Sotomayor; the top story in the blogosphere was Sarah Palin. ESPN to Ban New York Post Reporters Associated Press Disney's ESPN is banning staffers from News Corp.'s New York Post from appearing on any its shows after the newspaper ran photos from the video showing reporter Erin Andrews nude in a hotel room. The publication of the pics "went well beyond common decency." USA Today Best-Sellers Add Kindle Data Editor & Publisher USA Today's weekly list of best-selling books will start taking into account Amazon Kindle book sales in the overall rankings. The newspaper says it has "created a more robust list which reflects the new platforms consumers and readers are using to purchase books." Media General Posts Profit, Stock Soars Reuters Media General, the publisher of the Tampa Tribune and other newspapers, is posting a quarterly profit on cost cuts and says advertising revenue declines are beginning to ease, a cautious but hopeful note for battered U.S. newspaper publishers that sent some of their stocks rocketing. Tribune Seeks Judge's OK to Pay Bonuses Crain's Chicago Tribune is asking a bankruptcy judge's permission to implement a 2009 management bonus program for 720 employees and pay $3.1 million to nine top execs for their 2008 bonuses. The request was made in bankruptcy court as part of the company's Chapter 11 reorganization. Craigslist May Stir Up Web 'Wild West' Charleston Business Lawyers for South Carolina attorney general Henry McMaster predict "chaos" if a lawsuit Craigslist filed against McMaster isn't dismissed. Craigslist would be the online equivalent of the "Wild West," they argue where only federal marshals are allowed to uphold the law. Reed Elsevier Keeps Biz Publishing Unit Telegraph New Reed Elsevier CEO Ian Smith plans to scrap the company's proposed sale of its business-to-business magazine division, Reed Business Information, the publisher of Variety and other titles. RBI is now viewed as a core part of the business. Still, some assets may be disposed. Hearst: Food Network Mag Is Cooking Crain's New York Food Network Magazine, first tested on newsstands last fall and officially launched only last month, will increase its rate base to 1 million in January. The move comes more than six months ahead of schedule, according to Hearst, the title's publisher. Vibe in Lawsuit by Former Subscribers New York Post The publishers of urban beat magazine Vibe didn't lift a finger to refund subscribers who were left high and dry by its sudden demise, according to a new federal class-action lawsuit. The suit, by a disgruntled subscriber, invites any of the mag's 800,000 subscribers to join. Murdoch Jr OK'd Pay for Phone Tap Victim Bloomberg James Murdoch, the son of News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch, agreed to pay $1.1 million to a victim of phone-tapping by the company's U.K. newspaper News of the World. "It's how newspapers work," says editor Colin Myler, addressing Parliament in London Tuesday. Billboard.com Revamps to Take On MySpace USA Today Competition to create the digital world's leading destination for music fans intensifies as Billboard joins the fray with a revamped Web site for pop music fans. The effort pits the Nielsen 115-year-old trade publication against rivals including MySpace, AOL and Yahoo. Meredith Invests in Mobile Firm Hyperfactory Mediaweek Meredith is making a strategic stake in The Hyperfactory, an independent mobile specialist. The investment is intended to expand the capabilities of Meredith's business-to-business unit. Meredith says that mobile is becoming "a vital ingredient in marketing campaigns." McClatchy 'Won't Violate Covenants in '09' MarketWatch McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt says that the newspaper publisher will not violate its bank covenants this year, even if its advertising sales don't improve in 2009. There has been increasing speculation that the company could go into default and possible bankruptcy this year. The Economist Buys Congressional Quarterly Roll Call The Economist's Roll Call is buying Congressional Quarterly from Times Publishing Co., bringing together two of the most well-known names in Washington, D.C., journalism. CQ is described as a trailblazer in developing Web-based premium news services about politics. Playboy Socked by Lousy NY Rental Market Crain's Chicago Playboy will record a $9-million restructuring charge in the second quarter -- more than double what was projected -- after a sharp drop in the Manhattan rental market hurt subleasing prospects for its newly vacated office. Playboy, cutting costs, closed its New York office in May. Magazines: Ad Drought Continues in Sept New York Post The magazine advertising drought is continuing for many titles as the September page count shows. The only book to eke out a gain in the closely watched fashion battle is In Style's September issue from Time Inc., which is posting a 3.2% increase over last year, to 312.7 ad pages. Conde Nast Staffers Suffer Shock After Memo New York Observer The casual attitude at Conde Nast is vanishing following a companywide memo from CEO Chuck Townsend stating that consulting firm McKinsey & Co. will help the company "rethink" how it does business. "It’s terrifying! It freaked me out!" says one staffer. Forbes, BusinessWeek May Face a Shakeout Reuters Some business magazines may not survive as they struggle with advertising cuts and an increase in free rivals online, experts say. BusinessWeek, Fortune and Forbes are unlikely to "remain standing or remain in the same competitive situation a year from now." Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models on iPhone TechCrunch The print magazine business isn't doing so hot right now, but Time Inc.'s Sports Illustrated might just have found a new business model: selling an iPhone app featuring models from its 2009 Swimsuit Issue. Marketed as the "World's Sexiest App," the new service costs $2.99. New York Times Creates VP Tech Position Editor & Publisher The New York Times Co. is appointing Kate Taylor to the new position of VP, strategic planning and technology. Taylor will oversee the technology operating strategy across the entire company. She previously worked as consultant for Time Warner, Viacom and News Corp. Boston Globe Labor Deal Could Lure Buyer Associated Press A new contract agreement between the Boston Globe and its largest labor union could make the New York Times Co. newspaper more attractive to potential buyers, analysts say. But is not close to a cure-all as the Globe struggles with readers and advertisers shifting to the Internet. Conde Nast May See Cuts from McKinsey NYP / AdAge Conde Nast is hiring management-consulting firm McKinsey & Co. to give the publishing giant an overhaul in the face of staggering losses. The move could bring more layoffs and the closing of more magazines. Also: Conde Nast is shuttering Men.Style.com. Newsweek Redesign Yet to Boost Sales New York Observer Newsweek underwent a splashy redesign in May in the hope that it could turn around the magazine's sagging fortunes. However, Newsweek sold 66,702 copies off the newsstand in its first six weeks since the redesign versus the 66,533 issues for the previous 18 issues in 2009. Us Weekly Editor May Exit for Online New York Times Janice Min, the editor who turned Us Weekly into one of publishing's major success stories, will step down next week after seven years at the magazine, in a move she and her boss, Jann Wenner, describe as amicable. Min says that online ventures and television are appealing to her. Boston Globe Union Finally OKs Cuts Boston Herald The Boston Globe's biggest union is caving in to their New York bosses' demands to $10 million in contract concessions after almost four months of talks. The vote makes the broadsheet more appealing to potential buyers, but a sale is seen as unlikely in the current climate. Cox Enterprises to Sell 13 Newspapers Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cox Enterprises, owner of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, plans to sell 13 newspapers in North Carolina to the privately held Cooke Communications. The sale is a continuation of Cox's plan, announced last year, to divest itself of most of the newspapers in its chain. Dennis Publishing Acquires Kontraband New Media Age Dennis Publishing is acquiring the entertainment and viral site Kontraband.com. Kontraband built its following of 18-34-year-old men by hosting popular viral videos, games, blogs and forums. The site, with offices in New York and London, claims to attract 10 million users a month. Rupert Murdoch: Can He Save Online News? Wired UK News Corp. is mulling a variety of options for charging for online content. One option said to be gaining traction at the company's highest levels is to launch a Sky TV-style tiered-subscription platform -- available on a mobile device, e-reader or computer -- featuring all News Corp. content. New York Times Eyes Nonprofit Aid, Web Fees NPR The New York Times Co. is considering whether to charge visitors to NYTimes.com for reading articles. Meanwhile, senior editors at the New York Times itself are also asking whether they should accept money from foundations to help underwrite the newsroom's journalism. Boston Globe Union to Vote Again on Contract Associated Press Members of the Boston Globe's largest labor union will decide this week whether to accept a new contract that makes deep cuts to wages and benefits. Monday's vote will be the second in two months for the Boston Newspaper Guild, which narrowly rejected a similar deal in June. McGraw-Hill: More Media Asset Sales, Job Cuts? Bloomberg McGraw-Hill may need to look to its media unit for more asset sales, even after announcing a possible sale of BusinessWeek magazine, analysts say. The company "should consider selling its television stations." McGraw-Hill last week said it plans to cut hundreds of jobs. Maxim Publisher Gets a Lifeline in Conversion Crain's New York Alpha Media Group, the troubled owner of the sagging men's magazine Maxim, is completing a debt-to-equity conversion that reduces its debt and improves its capital structure. The recapitalization "is an important step that will further strengthen" Alpha Media's position, the company says. The Economist Opens Online 'Thinking Space' New Media Age The Economist is launching a pan-European online campaign in a bid to broaden its appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience. The campaign is focused around its new Thinking Space Web site, which lets users explore the places where high-profile Economist readers escape to think. US Weekly Editor Janice Min Ready to Exit New York Post Janice Min, the editor-in-chief of Us Weekly for the past six years, is about to quit, sources say. Min's "million-dollar-plus" contract with Wenner Media expires in two weeks. "She's had enough." But others say her decision may be due to the celebrity title's drooping circulation. Wired Magazine Cover Sought by Brad Pitt Variety Brad Pitt graces the cover of Wired magazine's August issue, wearing a Bluetooth headset. Several months ago, Pitt had his agency CAA contact Conde Nast's tech-savvy mag and suggest him for the cover. "Truth is, there aren't many classy monthly magazine covers left for male stars." Conde Nast: How to Balance Your Media Diet Wired Quality is important when balancing one's media consumption, according to Conde Nast's Wired magazine. Wired's suggested daily servings for "optimal media health" include 45 minutes with Twitter, one hour with blogs and aggregators, and one and a half hours with "traditional." Bonnie Fuller Resurfaces at Celebrity Web Site New York Times Bonnie Fuller, who remade Us Weekly into a celebrity powerhouse, is moving to the Web as editor of HollywoodLife.com. The celebrity news Web site is owned by Jay Penske's Mail.com Media Corp., which also owns Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily. Forbes.com CEO Resigns to Form Company BtoB Jim Spanfeller is resigning as president-CEO of Forbes.com after running the company's Web site for nine years. Spanfeller, who provided the vision for turning Forbes.com into a news aggregator, plans to leave this fall to start his own media management outfit. Oprah Sees Decline in Her Print Popularity Mediaweek Hearst is replacing Susan Reed as editor of O, the Oprah Magazine, less than a year after naming her to the position. She will be replaced by Time Inc. veteran Susan Casey. The 9-year-old O is starting to struggle on the newsstand. Both circulation and single copy sales are dropping. Vibe Magazine May Be Revived Online Only EbonyJet.com Vibe magazine founder Quincy Jones, distraught over the news that the famous hip-hop title is shutting down, says he wants to buy it back. Owner Wicks Group "messed my magazine all up. You better believe it, I'm'a take it online because print and all that stuff is over." Gannett Plans to Cut More Than 1,000 Jobs Wall Street Journal Gannett is said to be planning to cut between 1,000 and 2,000 jobs out of its 41,500-person work force in response to continuing revenue declines. Gannett, which is suffering from steep advertising declines, cut about 10% of its work force last year. Journalism Online Announces First Deal Crain's New York Journalism Online, the brainchild of Steve Brill and Gordon Crovitz, is retaining Portland, Ore.-based ITZ Publishing to develop online strategies for small- and medium-sized U.S. newspapers. ITZ customers include the Philadelphia Inquirer and Dallas Morning News. Wall St Journal Opens High-Tech News Hub Twitter The Wall Street Journal is taking the wraps off its new "high-tech news hub" at the newspaper's new offices in midtown Manhattan. WSJ.com is posting original videos featuring interviews with the paper's journalists, as well as clips provided by corporate sibling Fox News. Tribune 'Super Blog' Links to Facebook News & Tech Tribune's new local "super blog" ChicagoNow reflects newspapers' continuing quest to redefine themselves online. The site uses software that allows users to connect with various social media sites. "People will be able to see what their friends have written on Twitter or Facebook." Sun-Times Seeks Time for Exit Strategy Crain's Chicago Sun-Times Media, parent of the Chicago Sun-Times, is asking a bankruptcy judge for three more months to file its Chapter 11 reorganization plan. The company's lawyers say they need more time to come up with an exit strategy, a request they consider "neither surprising nor remarkable." OK! Mag Pays for Jackson 'Death Photo' Mediaweek OK! magazine's British owner Northern & Shell reportedly paid $500,000 for an exclusive photo of the dying Michael Jackson being whisked to the hospital June 25. OK! plans to use the image in its international editions. "I hope the cover will provoke readers," says top editor Sarah Ivens. AOL: Does It Devalue Time Inc Magazines? Advertising Age Time Warner's AOL is rolling out a series of content sites (Daily Finance, Politics Daily), produced by a mere handful of staffers. AOL appears to be counting on audiences and ad rates to become big enough to displace their magazine counterparts at corporate cousin Time Inc. NY Times Sets Bid Deadline for Globe Boston Globe New York Times Co. is said to be asking potential buyers of the Boston Globe to submit preliminary bids by July 8. The Times wants to sell the Globe as part of a package that includes the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, another newspaper the company owns. Martha, People Lead Magazines on Twitter MinOnline Martha Stewart Living and Time Inc.'s People, InStyle, Entertainment Weekly and Health rank at the top of the list of U.S. consumer magazine Twitter accounts, ranked by number of followers. Fast Company attributes its Twitter prowess to a new StumbleUpon tool. Time, Rolling Stone Publish Jackson Specials WWD Time magazine is publishing a special issue on Michael Jackson. The newsweekly last published a special edition shortly after Sept. 11. Also, Rolling Stone will publish its own Jackson bookazine. The major celebrity weeklies are expected to publish tribute issues later this week. Celeb Magazines Scramble to Cover Jackson Crain's New York Michael Jackson's death left some celebrity magazines scrambling. Us Weekly is said to have a deal for exclusive photos of the wedding of ex-Playboy Bunny Kendra Wilkinson and NFL star Hank Baskett. Now the deal is up in the air as the title considers focusing on Jackson. Time Warner in Talks About Magazine Unit Wall Street Journal Time Warner is said to be talking with investment bankers about options for divesting its Time Inc. magazine unit, the publisher of Time, Sports Illustrated and People. Whether this is the focus of discussions isn't certain; Time Warner may be simply getting pitches from bankers. Google News, LATimes.com Strained by Jacko CNET Many online news sites fared poorly in handling a flood of traffic following the death of Michael Jackson. LATimes.com, ABCNews.com and CBSNews.com saw a big drop-off in performance. Users of Google News complained that the service was inaccessible. TMZ Breaks Story of Michael Jackson Death Los Angeles Times TMZ broke the news of the death of Michael Jackson -- a huge scoop for the Time Warner-owned celebrity news site. However, corporate sibling CNN refused to acknowledge TMZ's initial report about the pop star's death. "That's typical," says TMZ head Harvey Levin. Twitter Messages Doubl