FBLA Exclusive — Us Weekly Has a New LA News Director and Some Advice for the LAT

Martha E. Flores, former morning assignment editor at the LAT, starts her new gig as Us Weekly’s West Coast News Director on Tuesday. But now, she’s slumming with us.

Flores and her boss, Ken Baker, spoke about her new role (overseeing the reporters), the secret to Us Weekly’s success (boobs, clothes and celeb sex) and the future of the L.A. (Hard) Times.

“We’re booming and expanding. We’re knocking down walls to make space,” Baker said. “I’m sure there’s a cultural critique to be made in all that — but without the judgement, just from a business model perspective, Us Weekly is successful because we give consumers exactly what they want. The L.A. Times clearly is not doing that.”

Flores nodded gravely, probably somewhat aware that she’s a metaphor for all that is happening to media here and elsewhere.

Of her new gig, Flores said: “With my background I’m going to approach the job from a different angle.”

Here’s hoping the LAT can do the same — while still giving us more news than boobs.

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