• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, December 10, 2009

Editor & Publisher, the venerable trade publication of the newspaper business, will cease print and online publication by the end of the year, according to owner Nielsen Co. The closing of E&P comes close on the heels of Nielsen's sale of eight other media trade publications, including The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and Adweek, to e5 Global Media Holdings.

E&P traces its roots back to 1884, and some of the staff writers have worked there for 25 years, according to Greg Mitchell, who has served as the publication's editor since 2002. The E&P article on its own demise quoted Mitchell as saying: "I'm shocked that a way was not found for the magazine to continue it some form -- and remain hopeful that this may still occur."

Mitchell's reaction suggests that -- at least in this case --editorial staff was not fully apprised of the direction taken by Nielsen's corporate review of its print publications. Nielsen's strategic review began earlier this year, with rumors circulating that it might close or merge some of its existing trade publications, including Radio & Records, which closed in June. But this process seemed to conclude with the announcement several weeks ago that it had reached a tentative agreement to sell them. The last-minute closing of E&P comes as something of a surprise.

E&P is the latest in a series of well-known and widely respected trade publications to close -- all victims of the economic downturn and the long-term migration of ad dollars from print to the Internet. In addition to Radio & Records, Performing Songwriter also closed in June. In April, Haymarket Media said it would stop publishing the weekly print edition of PR Week, replacing it with a monthly magazine and shifting weekly reporting online.

Klaassen Replaces Bloom as Executive Editor, Ad Age

Abbey Klaassen is stepping up to fill the executive editor post at Ad Age vacated by Jonah Bloom, who is leaving the magazine to lead a B2B blog network called Breaking Media. Klaassen, who previously served as the mag's digital editor, spearheaded the development of new products and events -- including an annual Digital Issue and the Ad Age Digital Conference, as well as a blog and twice-weekly newsletter covering digital media. Also, senior editor Matthew Creamer is exiting Ad Age to take a position as executive editor at Breaking Media.

Variety Erects Pay Wall

The Web site of Variety has begun charging for access to its premium content covering the entertainment business, effective Thursday. Ten percent of non-subscriber visitors to the site who click on two or more links to articles will receive a prompt asking them to register and subscribe for more access, with a $248 all-inclusive subscription that delivers digital access as well as the print product for one year. Current subscribers will continue to enjoy full access as before, once they log in to the site. Non-subscribers who don't opt to subscribe will be limited to viewing a total of five articles per month.

Bonnier Acquires Book Publisher

Bonnier Corp. dipped into its apparently considerable war chest again this week to purchase Weldon Owen Publishing, a book publisher that will allow it to create brand extensions leveraging its stable of enthusiast publications. Possible brand extensions under consideration include yearbooks and "bookazines" for sale at magazine newsstands as well as other venues.

Bekkedahl Leaves Rodale

Rodale executive vice president and group publisher Mary Ann Bekkedahl is leaving the company to pursue digital media ventures. For now, no further details on her plans are available; Rodale -- which publishes major titles including Men's Health and Runner's World -- has not yet announced her replacement.

Mayhew Named EIC Woman's Day Group

Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. has appointed Elizabeth Mayhew as vice- president and editor in chief, brand content, for the Woman's Day Group. Previously, Mayhew was a contributing editor for NBC's "Today" show, as well as Real Simple, Southern Living and House Beautiful. She will replace Jane Chesnutt, who will stay on as a special consultant for the Woman's Day brand.