 |
| Charles Dolan |
Cablevision founder Charles Dolan is stepping down as executive chairman of AMC Networks, and will become chairman emeritus. Dolan has led the AMC Networks board ever since the company was spun off from Cablevision in 2011. His son James L. Dolan, who is also executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks (both Cablevision spinoffs), will succeed him. When the Dolans sold Cablevision to the European telecom company Altice in 2016 they retained control of the AMC Networks and Madison Square Garden businesses. The Dolan family currently controls about 70 percent of the voting shares in AMC Networks. “The Dolans have led this company from its inception, and both Charles and Jim have provided vision, guidance and support through its long history of growth and evolution," said AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan in a statement.
 |
Red Ventures, which includes such digital brands as Healthline, Bankrate and Reviews.com, says it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CNET Media Group from ViacomCBS for $500 million. In addition to technology news brand CNET, CNET Media Group includes ZDNet, a leader in B2B focused content and Gamespot, a games information brand, as well as TVGuide, Metacritic and Chowhound. CNET Media Group executive vice president and general Mark Larkin and his senior team will remain in place after the acquisition. "CNET Media Group has built a dynamic portfolio of brands with well-earned authority on such topics as consumer tech and gaming that play an increasingly important role in people's lives,” said Red Ventures CEO and co-founder Ric Elias. “Red Ventures is eager to invest in CNET Media Group's growth with more personalized consumer experiences that will reinvigorate CNET Media Group's brands."
 |
| Aya Kanai |
Marie Claire editor-in-chief Aya Kanai is leaving that position to join Pinterest in the newly created role of head of content and editorial partnerships. According to WWD, Kanai’s departure was not expected by Hearst management. Before coming to Marie Claire, she served as chief fashion director for a group of Hearst publications that included Cosmopolitan and Redbook. Kanai had only been at Marie Claire since January, when she succeeded Anne Fulenwider, who left to build a start-up dedicated to women’s health. Sally Holmes, currently Marie Claire's digital director, will be taking over from Kanai. Holmes was previously executive editor at Elle.com.
Boston Globe Media acquires InstaTrac, a company that provides subscription-based services aimed at making government information easier to find, track, and understand... AARP names former New Republic CEO and publisher Michael Caruso as its SVP and chief content officer, unifying the organization's portfolio of media, live events and digital platforms... The Fund for American Studies, an educational nonprofit, awards its inaugural Journalism Excellence Fellowships.
Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. has replaced CEO and former California Congressman Devin Nunes with Kevin McGurn, a seasoned media sales executive.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is being bought by the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a nonprofit that is the parent organization of the Baltimore Banner... The British Broadcasting Corporation is axing approximately 2,000 jobs, about 10 percent of its work force... Snap, the company behind Snapchat, is also succumbing to layoff fever, announcing plans to lay off 16 percent of its employees, about 1,000 people.
CBS News Radio will go off the air on May 22, part of the axe-swinging managerial plan put into play by CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss... The Economist, which was first published in 1843, is changing hands. Canadian billionaire Stephen Smith has agreed to acquire a 26.9 percent stake in the publication from Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, her family and family foundation... Nexstar Media Group says it has closed its acquisition of TEGNA, the broadcast, digital media and marketing services company that was formed in 2015, when the Gannett Company split into two publicly traded companies.
USA TODAY brings on Jamie Stockwell as VP of news, effective March 30. Stockwell was most recently deputy managing editor of news for the Washington Post... YouTube expands its likeness detection capabilities to a pilot group of government officials, journalists and political candidates... The AP Fund for Journalism adds 50 news organizations to its local news program, bringing the total number of participating newsrooms to 100. 
