Libertarian mag Reason has just lured away Los Angeles Times assistant editorial page editor Matt Welch to become their new EIC.

The current EIC, Nick Gillespie, will be switching over to website reason.com and the Drew Carey-starring reason.tv.

Full press release after the jump.

Los Angeles (November 27, 2007) – After seven years as editor-in-chief of Reason magazine, Nick Gillespie is shifting his focus to Reason's Internet content. Gillespie will direct Reason.com and Reason.tv, which debuted in October featuring short documentaries hosted by The Price Is Right and Power of 10 host Drew Carey.

Matt Welch, a former Reason editor and author of the new book McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, leaves his post as assistant editorial page editor at the Los Angeles Times to take over as editor-in-chief of Reason magazine.

"Reason.tv is the most exciting platform we've created yet in terms of demonstrating the ability of 'free minds and free markets' to create a world that routes around politics as usual and lets people pursue happiness in any way that's peaceful. Between Drew Carey's immense contributions and the other original content we are developing, Reason.tv is a great stage for showing all that is right - and wrong - in American politics and culture," said Gillespie. "I'm absolutely thrilled that Matt Welch will be leading the print magazine into its next 40 years. There's no better person to head up one of the few magazines that's still dedicated to long-form journalism and that takes the world as its subject."

Welch will be joining Gillespie in Reason Foundation's Washington, DC, offices in January. The April 2008 issue of Reason magazine will be Welch's first full issue as editor-in-chief.

"I'm excited to be handed the baton at a time when the future of the magazine and Reason Foundation has never looked brighter or more dynamic," declared Welch. "Nick Gillespie and his staff - and their predecessors - have helped create a rare bird in publishing - a magazine about politics that's actually interesting and unpredictable. At a time when Americans despise their elected leaders in record numbers, when party membership is declining all around and the only dark-horse presidential candidate generating anything resembling enthusiasm is a guy nicknamed 'Dr. No,' there's never been a better time for Reason's message of choice versus control, free thinking versus partisan water-carrying."

"This is an unprecedented and pivotal moment for Reason Foundation, our supporters and our ideas," said Reason Foundation President David Nott. "Drew Carey is hosting a video journalism series for us and has just joined Reason’s board of trustees. Nick Gillespie's relentless pursuit of quality, thought-provoking journalism will take our websites to new heights. And as Reason magazine heads into its 40th year, Matt Welch brings a fresh perspective that will expand Reason's status as a must-read for anyone interested in the political and cultural landscape of this country. This prepares us better than ever to help bring about change based on individual liberty, limited government and choice."

About Reason magazine

Reason magazine is the award-winning monthly magazine of "free minds and free markets." It covers politics, culture, and ideas through a provocative mix of news, analysis, commentary, and reviews. Reason provides a refreshing alternative to right-wing and left-wing opinion magazines by making a principled case for liberty and individual choice in all areas of human activity. For more information, please visit www.reason.com.

About Reason.tv

Reason.tv is an online community showcasing the best libertarian ideas and videos on the Internet. Reason.tv gives you the opportunity to create videos, share videos and suggest topics for Drew Carey’s upcoming documentaries. For more information, please visit www.reason.tv.

About Reason Foundation

Reason Foundation is a nonprofit think tank dedicated to advancing free minds and free markets. Reason Foundation produces respected public policy research on a variety of issues and publishes the critically acclaimed monthly magazine, Reason, and its website www.reason.com. Reason Foundation recently launched Reason.tv, an online community featuring short documentaries hosted by The Price Is Right host Drew Carey. For more information, please visit www.reason.org.

Contact

Chris Mitchell, Director of Communications, Reason Foundation, (310) XXX-XXXX