Archives: July 2009

Don’t you wish life was as easy as it is for reality show “star” Kristin Cavallari? This video from the newest cast member of “The Hills” made us giggle — especially her advice to Kate Gosselin (“I’d change my name to Katherine and throw that dork’s collection of Ed Hardy sh*t in the yard, and then light it on fire”) and Sarah Palin (“You’re doing everything right!”).

Happy Friday!

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Public radio network NPR has officially appointed its former defense correspondent Guy Raz weekend host of afternoon news show “All Things Considered.” After serving as guest host on the program for months, Raz will step into his new position officially this weekend.

“The news doesn’t end on Friday,” Raz said. “It continues through the weekend. We’ll cover it, but we’re also a place where you’ll hear new voices, interesting music and compelling personal stories.”

The Saturday and Sunday versions of the one-hour show draw 2.2 million listeners, NPR said.

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Today’s guest on the Morning Media Menu was Nick Reding, author of the new book, “Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town.”

Reding discussed the media’s reaction to the country’s methamphetamine abuse epidemic, responding to newspaper coverage and meth-themed art in New York City. In addition to the book, Reding has written for Harper’s, Outside, Fast Company, and Details, and he shared tips about working with subjects during long-form nonfiction pieces.

Click here to listen to the whole show, which was hosted by GalleyCat editor Jason Boog and AgencySpy editor Matt Van Hoven. You can listen to all the past podcasts at BlogTalkRadio.com/mediabistro and call in at 646-929-0321.

Click here to receive mediabistro.com’s Daily Newsfeed via email.

Over the past year, Condé Nast has tried a number of cost-cutting measures — from limiting corporate car use to shutting down whole magazines. Yesterday, the company said it would no longer be paying for its employees’ newspaper subscriptions. Is this evidence of McKinsey & Co. at work?

According to a memo leaked to Mediaite, the company will no longer pick up the tab for newspaper subscriptions, single copies or house accounts at Hudson News — unless a title can’t be found online or in the Condé library.

What will they cut next? Gym membership discounts? Visits from the sushi chef? Where will they draw the line?

(Photo from Flickr)

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FishbowlDC: Everyone is getting ready for Obama’s “Beer Summit” tonight.

AgencySpy: HBO has come up with an actual Tru Blood product to market alongside it’s hit vampire show “True Blood,” and it apparently doesn’t taste that bad. One taster said: “Compared to most soft drinks, it’s refreshing and not too sweet. It also foams just like real blood. Ultimately, though, I prefer the stuff when it comes from Jesus.”

Editor & Publisher: How 25-year-old New York Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt dug up three of the biggest names in the current baseball steroids scandal.

MediaShift: Does citizen photo agency Demotix have a chance at survival?

TechCrunch: Michael Arrington asks: What if the top 10 percent of the New York Times‘ writers left and started their own media company?

A tipster has sent us a lengthy list of members of the Associated Press who accepted the recent buyout offer. The AP said Tuesday that around 100 veteran staffers had taken the buyouts.

We’re told the following list is from the AP’s alumni listserv, so we’re not sure how accurate or complete it is. If you see any errors or omissions let us know.

Related: 100 Veteran AP Staffers Take Buyouts

The list after the jump.

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In a move that shows the increasing importance of the Web as a source of news for readers, The New York Times said today that it’s night rewrite team would be moved off the Metro desk to become part of the Web newsroom and the Continuous News Desk.

Nieman Journalism Lab has the memo sent today by Digital News Editor Jim Roberts and Deputy Political Editor Gerry Mullany announcing the change.

The transition of the Times Continuous News Desk will be led by Anahad O’Connor, Derrick Henry and Sarah Wheaton — “One of them will be on duty each night of the week,” the memo promises.

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Two former ad executives from The New York Times have joined forces to launch a marketing and advertising sales rep company with an international focus. But they’re not just throwing around their former employer’s name just to get publicity for their growing company — the Times is also one of their first clients.

Founders Claire LaRosa (left) and Warren Ho said their company, Media Sales International, will initially focus on Latin America before expanding into other foreign markets. The company will be producing special advertising economic reports for the Times‘ digital and print editions.

LaRosa worked at the Times for 31 years in various ad sales management positions. Ho worked alongside LaRosa for 10 years selling advertising for the Times, and he has also worked for Conde Nast Traveler and The Los Angeles Times.

“We have the expertise to help clients outside the United States target and reach key audiences, such as leaders in business and government in the States,” LaRosa said. “The New York Times and nytimes.com provide extremely effective venues for reaching influential, decision-maker audiences. And the net combined audience of more than 20 million is a powerful story and offer.”

(Photo via Media Sales International)

Pennsylvania-based magazine and book publisher Rodale Inc. said today that president and CEO Steven Pleshette Murphy has decided not to renew his contract and will be leaving the company at the end of the summer. He will be replaced by Rodale’s chair, and granddaughter of company’s founder, Maria Rodale.

Murphy joined Rodale in 2000 as president and COO, and was promoted to CEO two years later. “After a wonderful decade at Rodale, I have decided not to renew my contract and to take time off to pursue my own creative interests,” he said in a statement. “Now is the perfect moment for Maria to lead the company forward by adding the top managerial responsibility to her role as chairman.”

Maria has worked for the company founded by her grandfather, J.I. Rodale, in various capacities since 1987. She is currently the editor-in-chief of Rodale.com and writes a blog, “Maria’s Farm Country Kitchen,” which is also published by the Huffington Post. She has served as chairman of the board since 2007, when she succeeded her mother. She has also written three books.

“I have been preparing my whole life to lead Rodale,” Maria said. “As chairman and CEO, I will work to build on the strong foundation we have established during the past ten years to take this incredible company to even greater heights…The entire Rodale family thanks Steve for his expert leadership, in particular his ability to ensure the company’s stability during a most challenging time. He will forever hold a place in Rodale’s history as both a creative innovator and a disciplined executive, all the while staying true to our company’s unique mission.”

Full release after the jump

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