Revolving Door

Michael Alex, a former veteran of MTV, is joining Bonnier as Vice President of Digital Content Strategy, a new role at the company. At Bonnier, Alex will work with the company’s digital department heads on new content strategies for their collective brands.

Prior to Bonnier, Alex worked as a consultant. Before that, Alex was with MTV for 15 years, most recently serving as Vice President, Digital of MTV News and Movies.

“An early adopter in the digital world, Michael is known by his former colleagues at MTV as a leader who is always looking for new ideas, new ways of doing things and new technological applications,” said Terry Snow, Bonnier’s CEO. “He will help us elevate and strengthen our digital offerings across many platforms.”

Reuters has named Fred Barbash its new Domestic Policy Editor. Barbash most recently served as Managing Editor of CQ Weekly, the congressional title that’s published by CQ Roll Call. He had been there since 2010. Prior to tCQ Weekly Barbash was a Senior Editor at Politico.

Barbash also spent time at The Washington Post, working as National Editor, London Bureau Chief, Deputy Metro Editor and more.

Barbash will be stationed in D.C. and report to Bureau Chief Mary Milliken.

Larry Kramer, the founder of Marketwatch, has been named the President and Publisher of USA Today. Kramer most recently worked as a consultant and an adjunct professor at Syracuse’s Newhouse School of Communications.

“As a journalist and media executive for many years, I have always had tremendous respect for USA Today and the reputation it has built as a trusted source for the day’s news and information,” said Kramer in a press release. “As an entrepreneur, I have also admired its strong legacy of innovation. I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with this talented team to reinvigorate USA Today’s mission and lay the groundwork for its next 30 years as a leading, multi-platform media brand and content powerhouse.”

Kramer’s appointment is effective immediately.

The New York Times is reporting that Paul Steiger is stepping down as Editor-in-Chief and CEO of ProPublica in January. Steiger is going to take on the role of Executive Chairman, and Stephen Engelberg, currently the site’s Managing Editor, will succeed him. Additionally, Richard Tofel, ProPublica’s General Manager, will become President. Both Engelberg and Tofel will share the CEO role.

Steiger is moving on because he believes in Engelberg and Tofel, but also because ProPublica — which launched in 2008 — is on solid ground. “It seems like the right time, and, in addition, I have two colleagues who are totally ready to take over,” Steiger explained to the Times. “The message is getting across, more people understand why for this kind of journalism, part of the solution needs to come from philanthropy.”

Each change takes effect on January 1, 2013.

Andrea Lavinthal has been named Style Director for People.com. Lavinthal comes to People from Us Weekly, where she most recently worked as its Online Beauty and Style Director.

At People, Lavinthal will oversee the StyleWatch channel’s editorial direction and more.

Kimberly Lau, a veteran of Hearst, is joining The Atlantic as Vice President and General Manager of Atlantic Digital, a new role at the company. Lau had been with Hearst Magazines since 2006, most recently working as Vice President of Business Development.

At The Atlantic, Lau will work with both its editorial and sales teams. She will actively seek out brand expansion opportunities, form new business partnerships, help guide mobile and video product development and explore syndication platforms.

“We are incredibly lucky to have a talented digital native like Kim join the award-winning Atlantic Digital team. Kim has been a rising star at Hearst and we’re eager to bring her strategic thinking and entrepreneurial spirit down to Atlantic Media,” said M. Scott Havens, Senior Vice President of Finance and Digital Operations.

Lau begins on June 15.

Curtis Brown has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of AOL. Brown has been with AOL since 2010 and has been acting CTO since March of this year. In a statement announcing the title/role change, Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of AOL, praised Brown’s wealth of experience.

“Curtis brings to the CTO role both deep technical experience and an authentic and engaging leadership style that has earned him the strong support of people throughout the Technology organization, the Technology Cabinet and the business leadership of the company” said Armstrong. “I’m especially pleased that this role provides us the opportunity to promote such a strong talent from within the AOL family.”

Brown’s new role is effective immediately.

Deborah Mignucci has returned to AMI to become Publisher of Fit Pregnancy and Associate Publisher of Shape. Mignucci rejoins AMI from a stint with Meredith Corporation, where she most recently worked as the Vice President, Sales, Group Publisher, U.S. Magazine Group for the company’s FamilyFun Group. Prior to Meredith, Mignucci was at AMI for five years as Vice President, Group Publisher of Fit Pregnancy and Mom & Baby magazine.

“Deborah has a proven and impressive background in being creative and driving revenue across multi-platforms in the important category of pregnancy and parenting,” said David Pecker, Chairman, President and CEO of AMI.  ”We’re thrilled Deborah is rejoining AMI’s Women’s Active Lifestyle Group, which reaches over 9 million women who are at the peak of their spending power.”

Mignucci will report to Kristen Elliott, Vice President, Group Publisher of AMI’s Women’s Active Lifestyle Group, which includes the Shape, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health.

Kevin Roose is leaving The New York Times to join New York’s “Daily Intel” blog as a Lead Business Writer. Roose had been with the Times for about a year, covering finance and Wall Street.

“I’m thrilled to have Kevin reporting for us — covering the impact that the two great money centers of New York and Silicon Valley have on the rest of the country, both in terms of the companies they build and the wealth they create,” said NYMag.com Editorial Director, Ben Williams. “Kevin will focus not only on deal making and profits, but also on the characters and the culture behind the companies — from Instagram to Goldman Sachs — that Americans obsess over.”

Elle has named Amina Akhtar Executive Editor of Elle.com, according to WWD. Akhtar succeeds Keith Pollock, who left Elle to join Du Jour, a luxury publication from Jason Binn.

Akhtar has been in the fashion writing business for more than a decade. She was most recently Fashion Director for FashionETC.com, but prior to that she held positions at NYMag.com, Style.com and NYTimes.com.