Former biz editor leaving LA Times

Sallie Hofmeister, a former business reporter and business editor at the Los Angeles Times, is leaving the paper, according to a memo sent Friday by editor Davan Maharaj.

Maharaj writes, “Sallie leaves an important legacy. She led a gifted roster of writers and editors — and brought aboard new journalistic talent — to build a formidable team during some very tough times. She integrated Calendar’s print and digital coverage, which had been separate entities. And she did it with her trademark humor, intelligence, humanity and, of course, style.

“She joined us in 1995, from the New York Times, to cover the business of television. For the next decade, she chronicled the rapid consolidation of the entertainment and media business. In 2006, she became an editor, overseeing entertainment and technology coverage. Her team’s work on the 2007 Hollywood writers strike was a finalist for a Loeb Award.

“Sallie was named business editor in 2008 and, less than a year later, joined the masthead as an assistant managing editor responsible for arts and entertainment. Under her leadership, the staff expanded its multimedia coverage, launching the Company Town, Ministry of Gossip and 24 Frames blogs. She also ushered in a series of round-table events featuring top directors, TV and movie stars, and cultural figures.”

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