When we got a release in our inbox today on AdWeek EIC Alison Fahey getting kicked up into the publisher/editorial director slot, our first instinct was to get some reaction from her replacement, AdWeek editor-to-be Mike Chapman, late of eMarketer. Calling over there yielded some criss-crossed transfers and an epic four-minute hold, following this priceless response from a colleague who doesn't seem to trust the announcement we cited, telling us: "Maybe what you're saying is true."

It's a short distance from maybe to surely, with the full release after the jump...

ALISON FAHEY NAMED PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR FOR ADWEEK

MIKE CHAPMAN TO SUCCEED FAHEY AS EDITOR

Fahey to gain full P&L oversight of Adweek brand;

Chapman to take over day-to-day editorial operations

New York, NY (April 22, 2008) — Nielsen Business Media today announced that Alison Fahey, veteran editor of Adweek, has been promoted to publisher/editorial director for the brand. Fahey, in turn, has tapped Mike Chapman, a well-respected journalist with 22 years of editorial experience, including eMarketer and The Economist Group, to succeed her as the editor of Adweek. Fahey's promotion is effective immediately; Chapman will assume his new role on May 15.

"For many years Alison has been a dynamic and influential voice in the agency and advertising communities," said Sabrina Crow, Senior Vice President of Nielsen Business Media's Marketing, Media and Visual Arts Group, which includes Adweek. "She has an intimate knowledge and understanding of the industry and the audiences we serve. Importantly, she has demonstrated a keen business acumen. Her experience will be key to our success on the business side as we drive deeper integration across Adweek's portfolio while providing advertisers with new opportunities to interact with our audiences."

"After more than a decade of leading the day-to-day editorial operations, I'm excited to be taking on this new role at Adweek, particularly at such an important time in the brand's evolution," said Fahey. "I'm also thrilled to bring Mike on board to oversee our team of talented editors and reporters. He has an impressive background in editorial leadership that will be invaluable as we continue to expand on the strengths of our content and brand. Mike's digital, research and conference experience with The Economist Intelligence Unit over 18 years was key in our decision to bring him in to lead content for the Adweek brand."

In their new roles, Fahey and Chapman will work together to drive the Adweek brand across all platforms — in print, online and face-to-face. Both Fahey and Chapman will be based in New York. Chapman will report to Fahey, while Fahey continues to report to Crow.

Chapman said, "I'm delighted to be leading the editorial team at Adweek, such a strong and well-respected brand. I think this is a perfect time for me to jump in as the brand is riding the momentum from a successful re-launch and solid digital growth. I'm eager to continue expanding on the success Alison has built and steer the brand into its next growth phase."

Fahey has served as editor of Adweek for the past decade. She first joined the Adweek Group at Nielsen (formerly VNU) in 1992 and was soon promoted to national news editor of Adweek before being appointed editor in 1998. During Fahey's tenure, the brand has evolved into a comprehensive source for the agency, media and marketing industries that features content on multiple platforms.

Under Fahey's leadership, Adweek launched several successful brand extensions, including conferences, events and various digital products. Earlier this year, Fahey led a complete re-launch of the 30-year-old brand across all delivery channels that has been an editorial success and is showing positive financial returns, especially online.

Most recently, Chapman was the editorial director for eMarketer, where he had oversight of day-to-day editorial operations for the business, which provides, via online and print, market research and trend analysis on the Internet, e-business, online marketing, media and emerging technologies. Before that, he worked at The Economist Group's Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for 18 years. During his tenure there, he was the executive producer and editor-in-chief for eight years, and a senior editor in the London office for 10 years. As executive producer and editor-in-chief, he and a team of specialists transformed EIU from a print publisher to a web-based provider of global business intelligence.

Brandweek and Mediaweek, sister brands under AdweekMedia, remain separate and distinct businesses.

About AdweekMedia:

AdweekMedia is the premier information source for media, advertising and marketing industry news and analysis, providing an integrated product portfolio led by trusted brands Adweek, Mediaweek and Brandweek. Industry professionals in all stages of their careers turn to AdweekMedia's digital and print properties, and leading executive conferences, for trusted content and interactive programs tailored to better serve their customers, build their network, and advance their market knowledge. AdweekMedia is owned by Nielsen Business Media, part of The Nielsen Company, a global information and media company.

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