MSNBC’

Speaking of USA Today, two of the papers journalists say they’ve become the target of a “smear campaign” after reporting on “government propaganda contractors.” We tweeted the PRSA response; here it is as well. [via]

Salon has a new look. Thoughts? Separately, the site’s press release for the redesign says the number of monthly unique visitors has grown 30 percent to 7.7 million since 2011. [via]

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Alec Baldwin will not replace Keith Olbermann. The news came via MSNBC spokesperson Jeremy Gaines and Baldwin’s spokesperson Matthew Hiltzik. “Alec is committed to 30 Rock through 2012,” Hiltzik told the New York Daily News.

Management at TripAdvisor’s “dirtiest hotel” selection announced that they’ve hired a housekeeper.

Facebook reiterates its commitment to security after Mark Zuckerberg and French President Nicolas Sarkozy get hacked. BTW, Friday is Data Privacy Day!

Michael Vick has an endorsement deal.

Jane Fonda‘s latest workout videos target those ages 50 and over.

Taco Bell has been hit with a class action lawsuit over the nature of its meat. Taco Bell president and chief concept officer Greg Creed has published a statement on the company’s website saying, “Unfortunately, the lawyers in this case elected to sue first and ask questions later — and got their “facts” absolutely wrong.”

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MSNBC

According to Gaines, the two directors positions were created to capitalize on the talent available.  “We have two strong players, so now we have two directors,” he says.

They will work on a variety of shows including those airing during primetime and Morning Joe. Alana Russo, who was previously senior director of media relations, joined CW as VP of corp comms in October.

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Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Richard Wolffe, one of many high-profile “hacks” to turn “flack” this year, has been drawing the ire of bloggers by maintaining his pole position on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

He was Newsweek’s Senior White House Correspondent before leaving journalism to join Public Strategies, Inc. as a Senior Strategist in the spring.

It’s quite common for political consultants to appear on cable shows, however Wolffe has done so as a guest host, not a panelist. As a result, Wolffe and the firm received the full Gawker treatment today, illuminating some connections between Public Strategies’ lobbying clients, and the healthcare fight on the Hill.

MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines responded to Talking Points Memo, promising to disclose Wolffe’s new job title. Olbermann wrote on Daily Kos that Wolffe might be welcomed back when the show “can clarify what else he is doing.”

As media watchers know, Olbermann switched a few years back from booking a wide variety of experts to a handful of pithy regulars, many from the synergized Newsweek. The reason MSNBC is sticking with Wolffe is for two big reasons: he covered the Obama run from the beginning, and because he’s a very good guest–a smooth talking pundit with good suits and quick British wit. These things matter when viewer boredom is alleviated with a quick flip of the remote. A guest’s delivery on cable is just as important as pedigree.

However, as you’ll see from the clip of Wolffe’s guest host appearance from Friday above, it’s much harder to sit behind the anchor desk than to react to questions. He’s pretty good but not very “Keithy,” as the network promises in their promos.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.