Hollywood Reporter editor joins digital media startup

Former Hollywood Reporter editorial director Matthew Belloni has joined a venture capital-backed digital media startup as a founding partner. Alex Weprin of The Reporter reports, “The still-unnamed digital media startup is co-founded by former Vanity Fair editor Jon Kelly, Vox Media and Luminary veteran Joe Purzycki, The Athletic alum Max Tcheya, and Conde Nast veteran Liz Gough, and counts TPG and […]

Yahoo adds Hollywood Reporter as XR partner

Yahoo has announced The Hollywood Reporter as a partner for its Yahoo News XR Partner Program. Expanding by adding top digital publishers such as USA Today, Reuters, The Associated Press, NowThis and LA Times as partners, Yahoo continues to pair its tech and creative capabilities and massive distribution with journalists and storylines that explore what […]

Hollywood Reporter hires Gyarkye

Lovia Gyarkye has been hired by The Hollywood Reporter as arts and culture reporter. A story on its website states, “In the newly created role, Gyarkye will review film, TV and streaming content and write about current cultural topics and trends for both online and print editions. Based in New York, Gyarkye will report to […]

Publications shine at the National Art and Entertainment Journalism awards

The Hollywood Reporter was nominated for best entertainment publication and best website for the 13th annual National Arts and Entertainment Journalism awards. Additionally, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is up for best columnist, Scott Feinberg was nominated for online journalist of the year, and Sheri Linden and Inkoo Kang were nominated for best critic in the film and […]

DOJ investigating Variety parent’s deal for Hollywood Reporter

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating Penske Media’s announced deal to acquire a majority stake in The Hollywood Reporter, reports Alexandra Steigrad and Josh Kosman of the New York Post. Steigard and Kosman report, “Sources said DOJ officials have been reaching out to third parties — including ad agencies that work with digital media companies and in-the-know Hollywood talent […]

Variety parent to operate Hollywood Reporter

Variety parent company Penske Media Corp. has set a deal with MRC to operate Billboard, Vibe and the Hollywood Reporter under a newly formed joint venture. A Variety story states, “PMC will lead daily operations of an expanded entertainment and music brand portfolio under the PMRC banner that will bring two Hollywood trade institutions under the same […]

Penske Media considering Hollywood Reporter purchase

Penske Media Corp., the parent company of Variety and Deadline, is in talks that may lead to the purchase of rival showbiz publication The Hollywood Reporter, reports Joseph Kapsch of Los Angeles Magazine. Kapsch reports, “A top-level executive close to the situation tells Los Angeles that talks concerning a potential deal between PMC and The Hollywood Reporter‘s parent […]

Hollywood Reporter faces questions about ownership interference in coverage

Alex Bhattacharji of Los Angeles Magazine examines The Hollywood Reporter, an industry publication that has drawn criticism for editorial interference by its owners. Bhattacharji writes, “The troubles at THR exposed the reality faced by all media outlets that cover the industry. The publications survive thanks to the ad dollars of the companies they cover; their writers depend on […]

AP’s Moody hired as editorial director of Hollywood Reporter

Nekesa Mumbi Moody has been named editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter, joining the publication after more than two decades with the Associated Press, most recently as its global entertainment and lifestyles editor, reports Sara Fischer of Axios. Fischer reports, “The state of play: She takes the helm at a time when Hollywood is experiencing […]

Layoffs begin at The Hollywood Reporter by parent company

Valence Media, parent company of The Hollywood Reporter, has laid off 20 employees, including executive vice president and group publisher Lynne Segall, reports Yahoo Finance. In addition, film critic Todd McCarthy, senior editor Benjamin Svetkey, senior film editor Piya Sinha-Roy, real estate and city editor Peter Kiefer and senior events editor Ramona Saviss were also […]