BW staffers warily optimistic about new editor Tyrangiel

TALKING BIZ NEWS EXCLUSIVE

BusinessWeek staff members who spoke on background to Talking Biz News on Tuesday about the naming of its new editor in chief expressed some optimism about Josh Tyrangiel taking on the spot when Bloomberg LP closes its deal to acquire the magazine.

Current editor Stephen Adler announced last month he would step down when the deal was completed. That’s expected early next month.

The biggest topic of discussion about Tyrangiel is his lack of business journalism experience. He has been a deputy managing editor at Time and managing editor of Time.com, and he also worked at Vibe and Rolling Stone.

“People are saying it’s good to have a non-geek running the magazine as a counterweight to Winkler,” said one staffer, referring to Bloomberg editor-in-chief Matthew Winkler, who has been in business journalism for his entire career, working at The Wall Street Journal before joining Bloomberg two decades ago.

Others said that the lack of business news experience was a cause for concern. A number of pop music jokes were made Tuesday morning at the magazine’s editor’s meeting in reference to Tyrangiel’s Rolling Stone and Vibe stints.

“General feeling that he’ll be second-fiddle to Norm on any important decisions,” said one BusinessWeek editor, referring to Bloomberg’s Norman Pearlstine, who is the company’s chief content officer and former Time editor. “But also excitement about him bringing a new perspective to the BW brand and excitement and vigor.”

Said one staffer: “People were joking that we’re going to have to get hip to the downtown music scene. Other than that, people seem intrigued and hopeful. Right now we just want to know more about the guy.”

Added another: “There have been jokes about wearing leather to work, but we’re all very optimistic. He sounds like he’s really highly regarded at Time.”

The editorial staff will find out its fate on Thursday, when they will hear whether they have jobs at the magazine going forward.

“Really, everyone’s so wrung out and exhausted from waiting to hear our fate,” said one staff member. “It’s nice to know who the editor is, but really we’re waiting until Thursday to find out if we even have jobs. So we’d probably be more excited about it if we knew we were even going to be part of the new magazine! But we don’t yet.”