Joe Guerriero - FishbowlDC

Human Events Replaces Group Publisher

Eddie Scarry — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:47:21 +0000

Eagle Publishing has named its replacement for Human Events‘s Vice President/Group Publisher. Taking over for Joe Guerriero, who starts as Clarity Media Group’s chief revenue officer on April 29, is Jim deGraffenreid.

deGraffenreid’s LinkedIn profile indicates he is the CEO of EEI Communications, a media training and staffing company based in Hanover, Md. He joins Human Events with a mess to sort out. The conservative weekly recently shut down its print edition, laying off scores of staffers. It is now a strictly online publication with about three people producing and managing its content. It is rumored that Human Events will eventually fold into RedState, a conservative blog also owned by Eagle Publishing.

We’ve requested comment from deGraffenreid and Eagle Publishing President Jeff Carneal.

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Human Events Loses V.P.

Eddie Scarry — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:17:09 +0000

One more has flown the coop at the conservative Human Events.

“I have accepted a position with Clarity’s DC Media Group as Chief Revenue Officer,” Joe Guerriero, former V.P. Group Publisher at Human Events, wrote to FishbowlDC Wednesday. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity.”

Human Events recently closed down its weekly print product, with management laying off scores of staffers. It now exists as strictly an online publication with about three people running its editorial department. Its parent company is Eagle Publishing.

“Leaving Eagle was difficult,” Guerriero said, “but this was an opportunity I just could not pass up.” Clarity Media Group is… continued…

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Newt Gingrich ‘Sad’ About Human Events

Eddie Scarry — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:55:44 +0000

Eagle Publishing, parent company of Human Events, hosted its biennial Congressional Open House champagne celebration last night to welcome the 113th Congress (the Republican members at least).

Unfortunately, the party comes just a week after massive layoffs and the closure of Human Events‘ print product.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich attended with his wife Callista. Asked about Human Events, he said he was “very sad because it was historically a remarkable institution that had a big impact on American history going all the way back to 1944.” He added: “But I also recognize that we live in an age where you’re The Nation magazine or you’re Newsweek or a whole range of institutions — that the pressures of traditional print publication are enormous. And I think that Eagle had to take a serious look at reality in that sense.”

Regarding Conservative Political Action Conference organizers excluding New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) as a speaker at their event next week, while inviting Donald Trump, Gingrich said… continued…

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How the Chips Fell At Human Events

Eddie Scarry — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:30:47 +0000

Higher-ups at Human Events warned staff on Tuesday that there would be a big announcement at a 10:30 a.m. meeting the next day. Many employees had a feeling it would be bad news, possibly more layoffs.

Workers who showed up at the office before the meeting went to their desks and computers as usual. Then they gathered in the conference room where V.P. and Group Publisher Joe Guerriero announced that the last payday for nearly all staff members would be this Friday. After the meeting, employees returned to their computers, only to find they couldn’t use them. While the bad news was delivered, the log-in information had been changed.

Employees were told if they needed to retrieve any personal information from what was now their former computers, management would watch them while they did so. Today will be their last day in the office. Human Events will no longer be available in print. Feb. 18th was their last issue.

Guerriero would not comment on the record for this story.

What happened in the meeting…Despite the somber news, no negative energy was felt inside the conference room, a source who was present for the meeting told FBDC. continued…

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Human Events Publisher’s Wife to Groom Dogs

Eddie Scarry — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:00:13 +0000

The annual Fashion For Paws benefit is two months away and Joe Guerriero, publisher of Human Events, really wants people to attend. Not for him, but for his wife, who will be primping and prepping the dogs backstage.

“I never do this type of stuff, but as many of you know, my wife Jenn is an avid dog lover and dog trainer,” Guerriero wrote this morning in an email blast to a handful of media types, including FishbowlDC. “Last night she strong-armed me into reaching out to some folks I know in hopes there might be some dog lovers among you.”

Later in the email Guerriero urges recipients and their friends to purchase tickets to the event and explains that until last year, he wasn’t aware “that the show brought out a veritable ‘who’s who’ D.C. crowd.”

Noteworthy names CCd on the email include… continued…

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A Little Birdie Tells Us…

Eddie Scarry — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:30:34 +0000

Human Events underwent several big changes in the course of the last year: big layoffs, new hires and a redesign. More may be coming.

Earlier today FBDC got wind that Eagle Publishing, parent company of Human Events, may sell the conservative weekly off to the Young America’s Foundation. YAF is a nonprofit that promotes conservatism among high school and college students. It also oversees the National Journalism Center, an internship program for aspiring writers.

Vice President and Group Publisher at Human Events Joe Guerriero didn’t deny the rumor… continued…

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Botched Bylines Give Human Events a Blemish

Eddie Scarry — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:50:20 +0000

Relaunching a website often comes with growing pains. We recently reported that Human Events had some kinks to work out as it reintroduced its website. Then, it was some coding issues. Today, it’s bylines.

During the switch from Site Manager to WordPress as the website’s administrative system, several stories screwed up who wrote what. For instance, former contributor Steven Robinson‘s name, which appeared as a double byline on a few stories, was deleted from the site. Articles originally bearing his name appeared are now authored by “Main Admin” or by Audrey Hudson, the publication’s congressional correspondent. Robinson recently left Eagle Publishing, which owns Human Events. He now works on the website for the Paul Revere Project, which aims to coordinate messaging among conservative groups in D.C. and nationwide.

As recently as this morning a story co-written by Robinson was changed to only show Hudson’s name. Three days ago, Robinson asked his old employers about it and was told about internal system issues. His byline was not restored until today after FishbowlDC’s inquiry.

Joe Guerriero, VP and Group Publisher of Eagle Publishing, told FBDC by email that the mix up had to do with “transferring a massive number of files to a new system” and the order in which they were sent.

Though Robinson said he thought there might be something more nefarious at hand, Human Events‘ Editor Cathy Taylor said the issue also happened with at least one other author out of the 200 the publication had in its system. “Steve Robinson’s byline was confused with another periodic author’s byline, Ron Robinson. Also, when Steve double-bylined with Audrey Hudson, his name apparently was dropped off,” Taylor said. “The good news is that all data transferred.”

The bad news, however, is that Robinson (the whistle blower) won’t be writing for Human Events anytime soon.

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Brunch at Hay Adams Concludes WHCD Sh-tstorm

Eddie Scarry — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:30:30 +0000

The weather finally cleared up just in time to finish White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend at the Hay Adams hotel with Thomson Reuters/McLaughlin‘s annual brunch.

Though it was sunny and gorgeous outside, when FBDC hopped on the elevator to head up to the rooftop an attendee asked, “We don’t have to stay the whole time, do we?” We assured her she did not.

The Hill‘s Katy Oczypok was seen snapping photos of guests, and a little later, munching on the brunch fare (sausage, seasoned potatoes, different breads and a tower of fruit). “I think the rain kept a lot of the celebrities in,” she told us with a sigh when asked if she hit up any after parties last night after the WHCD. Cheer up, Oczypok. There’s always next year.

The event was relatively subdued until CBS’ Julie Chen let out a scream. “WE WENT TO USC JOURNALISM SCHOOL TOGETHER!” she said excitedly to her husband as she introduced an apparently long lost college friend.

Notables:

The loudest TV host in Washington, John McLaughlin, Editor-in-Chief of Reuters Stephen Adler, Author and ex-MSNBCer Pat Buchanan (pictured above wearing what appear to be goggles), Human Events Group Publisher Joe Guerriero accompanied by his wife, and publicist Janet Donovan.

Fab or Fug: Ed Hardy-inspired dress

Here’s a dark green ~~sack~~ dress with crystal-studded shoulders and a flaming Mercury Lead Sled splashed across the back.

Fug, of course.

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Human Events Empanada Giveaway Draws Long Line

Eddie Scarry — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:56 +0000

To celebrate the relaunch of its paper product, Human Events spent Monday treating hungry people to food from the DC Empanadas food truck.

The line was long when the truck parked for the lunch hours at Farragut Square. Betsy asked me if it was as long as the famed gargantuan Lobster truck lines. I’d say longer.

Human Events‘ Publisher Joe Guerriero, Editor Cathy Taylor, Senior Reporter David Harsanyi and videographer Pat Frank were out to help promote the publication. But while Taylor occasionally worked the line, plugging the paper, most of the promoting was done by the sign on the food truck that said it all: “Human Events, it’s on us.”

VP/Group Publisher Joe Guerriero remarked to FBDC, “Wish I owned the empanada truck. More than 700 meals today.”

FBDC took a look at the paper’s new design. It’s printed on full-color tabloid and contains more content than before. The editorial content has been moved closer to the back end. Taylor told us her goal is exclusive content by Human Events in every story. A new website for the publication launches in about two weeks, she said.

As an aside, I tried the Mr. Miyagi empanada. Two, actually. (This empanada can loosely be described as chicken and vegetables in a teriyaki sauce “with a kick.”)

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Human Events‘ and Jason Mattera: ‘We’re Still Family’

Eddie Scarry — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

There are as many definitions of “family” as there are, well, families. So cue up Sister Sledge and let’s start dancing! We are family … Get up everybody and sing!

Joe Guerriero, publisher of Human Events, claims that Jason Mattera didn’t get “the axe” from the publication. At least, not exactly. In addition to his radio program on WABC in New York, he will continue to have one foot in the door as he works as a “contributor.” But he’s moving on.

Part of what is pushing Mattera out the door is a clear desire for more of a celebrity status. Guerriero says Mattera expressed more interest in pursuing the “celebrity and author” side of working in media, rather than running a newsroom as an editor.

On Thursday FBDC broke the news that Mattera had been terminated from his role as Editor-at-Large of Human Events. Mattera, who has a new book out, apparently had an agreement with Guerriero to remain employed with the conservative weekly until the publicity tour for the book ended.

When asked if Mattera’s departure could be described as a termination, firing or dismissal… continued…

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Human Events‘ Mattera Gets the Axe

Eddie Scarry — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:37:30 +0000

Jason Mattera, editor-at-large for Human Events, was terminated last week. He has been replaced by conservative columnist David Harsanyi.

Mattera released a new book in mid-March. FBDC hears there was an agreement between he and Human Events‘ publisher Joe Guerriero to remain employed with the conservative weekly until the publicity tour for the book was complete. Evidently, the tour has ended.

Mattera’s dismissal comes on the heels of two other Human Events writers who no longer write for the publication. While Tony Lee was terminated, Brian Darling‘s column was discontinued. Darling is employed with the Heritage Foundation.

Developing…

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Eagle Publishing Hires Hot Shot Designer to Give Human Events A Facelift

Betsy Rothstein — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:32:20 +0000

Human Events is getting a face lift. How drastic will it be? Depends who you talk to.

As the intrepid FBDC Contributor Eddie Scarry reported yesterday, there are changes happening at Human Events — and not all favorable ones for those involved. For instance, he reported that at least two writers are now out of jobs with more cuts expected on the horizon.

“Unfortunately, sometimes a company needs to do a bit of restructuring in order to move forward,” Joe Guerriero, Vice President and Group Publisher of Eagle Publishing, told FishbowlDC. He said the company is injecting “significant investment” into the paper.

As was reported, Eagle, which owns Human Events, will relaunch their flagship newspaper on April 16. They promise a “much broader distribution on Capitol Hill” and the addition of new writers like Hope Hodge, who comes to Human Events from the Jacksonville, N.C. Daily News where she was a military reporter, and nationally syndicated columnist David Harsanyi, which they announced this morning.

Other changes: They will add “key government agencies” to their circulation list and additional distribution points throughout DC.

The big get…In order to “breathe some life into the paper”, they’ve hired Patrick Mitchell to lead the re-design of the paper. They hail him as “one of the top magazine and newspaper designers in the country.” Past credits include stints as Creative Director of O, The Oprah Magazine for Hearst, Nylon, Fast Company and Kiplinger’s. Pat has also served as Art Director and lead Designer at Billboard, 02138 (for Harvard Alumni), the Detroit Free Press, The Dallas Morning News, and Whittle Communications.

Now let’s hope they don’t go the way of Joan Rivers or Goldie Hawn when altering Human Events. Change can be good. Turning someone into a monstrous version of herself is not.

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Fishbowl5 With Eagle Pub’s VP Joe Guerriero

Betsy Rothstein — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:00:24 +0000

Human Events is playing a game of musical chairs in its editorial department. Jason Materra, who came on board in April 2010, is out and Cathy Taylor, an op-ed writer at the Orange County Register, is in. Materra, the infamous ambusher, isn’t leaving Human Events. But he has been on his way out of his role as Editor for quite sometime as an outside recruiter has been slowly but methodically conducting a nationwide search for his replacement. Oddly, Materra, who is working on a new book called Hollywood Hypocrites, knew this was coming — higher-ups sensed he wasn’t a good fit for the top spot and told him so. Several inside sources say he wept over the news in an office meeting in early 2011. Brass swears it never happened and say those who may want to stick it to him are lying. By and large, employees are not surprised or upset about Materra switching roles. Furthermore, they don’t really care about his departure from the top role and some wouldn’t mind if he left altogether. As it was explained to FBDC, “He’s in a position where his talents are not being used properly. He should be in a role where he can roam around and do videos and the stuff he is known for. So there is a mismatch between the position and skill set.” So as Materra shifts into his new role after a recent surge of attention surrounding his dust-up with V.P. Biden, we spoke with his boss, Eagle Publishing’s VP and Group Publisher Joe Guerriero by phone Thursday morning. He was in a busy, noisy Manhattan hotel lobby, but stepped out into the street (car horns, traffic, etc..) to find some quiet and chat about the company shuffle. In his past…Prior to Eagle Publishing, Guerriero worked at Success as Publisher and Senior V.P. Before that he was the head of sales and marketing at Billboard Magazine. A Bronx native, he was a Catholic schoolboy who graduated from Mount St. Michael High School and Manhattanville College, where he taught for a few years. In 1982 he began his career selling advertising in the medical business followed by a decade at Crain Communications. For more on Guerriero, read Politico Patrick Gavin‘s story from earlier in the week in which he breaks the news of Materra’s in-house move.

1. How did you first meet Jason Materra? I met Jason after during 2010 CPAC. I had read a galley of his book Obama Zombies. I thought it was really well done, pretty expensively researched.

2. How did you come to hire him as Editor of Human Events? We had been looking to make a change [with] the editor position. But there was really nobody that was really emerging as terrific. Here is a talented, charismatic, young guy. Let’s give him a shot. We knew we were taking a chance putting him in this position. Is he really enjoying himself? It was clear that it wasn’t singing to him.

3. When did you realize that it wasn’t, as you say, singing for him? There was no moment really. There was no defining moment. I said, ‘Do you want to be a star in the conservative movement or do you want to be an editor?’ Basically he was enjoying the radio show and working on his book so much. I would always say, ‘Are you sure you want to be doing this, chained to your desk?’ He was honest. We were like, we love you, we want to support your career. I have weekly one-on-ones with all my staff [to discuss their lives and careers]. We determined right now that he needs to be doing books and TV and not building an editorial operation that we need to be competitive. There was no animus, no bad feelings.

4. Several sources have said they saw Jason cry about the news when it was first brought up to him earlier in the year. What do you make of that? Not once have I see him come close to shedding a tear. Whoever you’re speaking with clearly has a bone to pick. Jason is from Brooklyn. He’s not going to cry.

5. Tell me about the search to replace him. We had a number of people in and out of D.C. We had a recruiter out of New York handle the search. The search itself started with about 40 to 42 candidates in the U.S. and UK. Some were eliminated immediately. We got it down to five candidates. [Guerrriero suddenly returns to the previous question on Jason crying.] “If you just thought about it for a minute, it’s comical. I happen to love the person who would say something like that too.”

Bonus Q: Was Cathy the clear pick? She was number 1. The 1a was not from D.C. and had just relocated their family, and were not wanting to relocate their family. We had excellent candidates. I’d say she wasn’t our top choice from the beginning [but emerged as 1 in the end.]

More on Materra’s ambush techniques after the jump as Guerriero compares him to the Beatles…yes, you read that right, The BEATLES…

continued…

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Human Events Gets 26-Year-Old Editor

Betsy Rothstein — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:07:24 +0000

Eagle Publishing today announced that Jason Mattera is the new Editor of Human Events. The release said Mattera, 26, is “believed to be the youngest editor of any major national publication”.

“Given his youth, we recognize Jason’s appointment may seem a bit surprising, but only if you don’t know him,” stated Joe Guerriero, VP/Group Publisher of Eagle Publishing’s GeoPolitical Division, which includes Human Events. Guerriero went on, “Jason’s ability to understand what is truly important, not just repeat DC’s echo chamber, plus his unique ability to put facts into understandable, interesting-and even fun-stories and videos is remarkable. His wisdom and talents are far beyond his years.”

Even Ann Coulter gives him a nod: Coulter, best-selling author and conservative commentator, had a one-word comment when asked what she thought of Mattera, ‘Brilliant!’”

Find out more about Mattera after the jump…

continued…

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