Big changes in the corporate org chart announced two weeks ago were just the preamble to a wider executive shakeup at Time Inc.
The publisher’s newly
appointed Chief Content Officer Alan Murray announced a new round of promotions and appointments as part of a new editorial structure. Press reports indicate that the company may soon do away with the
traditional position of “publisher” for individual titles.
According to Murray’s internal memo to Time Inc. staffers, all the publisher’s magazines will now be grouped into one of four editorial divisions, each overseen by an editorial director. The new structure is intended to allow the company to “to take advantage of opportunities that cut across individual titles,” with a special focus on digital content and video production and distribution.
advertisement
advertisement
Time Inc.’s new News Group will be led by Time editor Nancy Gibbs, who will serve as editorial director overseeing Fortune, Money, Time for Kids and Motto, as well. People editor Jess Cagle has been appointed editorial director of the Celebrity, Entertainment and Style Group, overseeing People, Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, StyleWatch, People en Español, Essence, Instant and xoJane.
The publisher’s Sports Group, consisting of Sports Illustrated, Golf and SI Kids, will continue under the oversight of editorial director Chris Stone, a position he already occupied. Finally, Travel + Leisure editor Nathan Lump will serve as editorial director of the Lifestyle Group, overseeing Real Simple, Southern Living, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Sunset, Coastal Living, Health, Cooking Light and MyRecipes.
Murray also announced the appointment of Michael Duffy as editorial director across the entire company, adding to his previous role as deputy managing editor of Time magazine.
In addition, the company is appointing editorial operations and finance directors for the groups, with Alex Brez supervising operations, workflows and budgets for the Celebrity, Entertainment and Style and Sports Groups, and Clare McHugh doing the same for the News and Lifestyle Groups.
Finally, Murray announced the appointment of digital directors for the groups, with Will Lee serving as digital director for both the Celebrity, Entertainment and Style and Sports Groups, adding to his role as digital editorial director of People and EW, and Edward Felsenthal serving as digital director for the News and Lifestyle Groups.
The changes come as rumors circulate in the trade press that Time Inc. will soon get rid of the title of “publisher.” Media Ink reports that this change on the business side, part of CEO Joe Ripp’s sweeping corporate reorganization, will be announced sometime in the near future, possibly as soon as next week. The transition will reportedly involve some publishers leaving the company, while others will receive responsibility for sales across particular ad categories, rather than titles.