Multiplatform Publishing Industry Changes Through Acquisitions, Personnel

Multiplatform publishing companies Billboard and Time Inc. make personnel changes; Corporate Board Member Magazine acquired by Chief Executive Group

A morphing environment for some multiplatform publishing companies involves new talent in key positions, as well as assets from other acquisitions. Today we look at both personnel and asset acquisitions from some major publishers.

Our first story looks at Time Inc. and its recent promotion of Paul Martinez to Executive Creative Director. Folio: reports, “Time Inc. has promoted Paul Martinez to executive creative director, where he will oversee and manage the company’s Travel + Leisure and Departures titles. Martinez has worked with the company for over a year as creative director for Fortune and Money, which he will continue to manage in addition to his new responsibilities.”

The article continues with a look at some of Martinez’s work. ““He is a master of this art, having redesigned, relaunched, and reimagined brands as diverse as Maxim, Men’s Journal, and Marie Claire, all as Creative Director, after starting his career with a successful tenure at GQ,” Lump adds. “And Paul is much more than a stellar thinker about magazines—his background includes website design, packaging, branding, and video direction, making him a true multimedia creative visionary.””

Our next story is about the hiring of a new West Coast Editor at Billboard. Billboard reports, “Melinda Newman has been named West Coast Editor at Billboard, bringing more than 25 years of experience covering the music industry to the new position.”

The article continues with a look at Newman’s role at the ever-popular multiplatform publishing brand Billboard. “In her new role, she will work closely with Billboard news director, Hannah Karp, in developing and breaking news and trend stories, as well as serve as Billboard’s West Coast liaison with the music community. She will also continue to cover the film and TV industry.”

Newman returns to The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group at a point of substantial growth and potential, following last year’s acquisition of SpinMedia’s music media assets: SpinVibe and Stereogum. It is now the world’s largest music brand by digital traffic, social reach and audience share with 45 million readers a month, reaching one in every three U.S. millennials.”

Our last story looks at the acquisition of Corporate Board Member magazine by Chief Executive Group. Folio: reports, “In a move aimed at unifying two powerful but hard-to-reach audiences, Chief Executive Group — the parent company of Chief Executive magazine — has acquired Corporate Board Member magazine and its related research and events businesses.”

The article continues with details of the deal. “Chief Executive Group purchased Corporate Board Member — which will turn 20 years old next year — from California-based Marlin Equity Partners, who in turn acquired it as part of its June purchase of NYSE Governance Services, a provider of corporate compliance and education products. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.”

The acquisition comes as Chief Executive Group, which the Coopers purchased back in 2009, aims to expand its offerings by focusing in on its own valuable database of corporate executives, but also at a time of change for its flagship brand, which recently parted ways with editor-in-chief Mike Winkleman, his second career stint with the company, after a little over a year.”

Do you need help strategizing for your multiplatform publishing business after a recent merger or acquisition? If so, get in touch with us today. We have helped hundreds of media brands develop internal structure and strategy for success.

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