Multiplatform publishing expands for Condé Nast; Slate lays off editors and writers; Vox Media names first COO
We begin this multiplatform publishing news by looking at an acquisition for Condé Nast, which involves a social data and marketing platform named CitizenNet. WWD reports, “The deal is meant to deepen Condé’s data-science talent and expertise, in order to enrich Condé Nast Spire, the data group it formed last year. The acquisition helps the publisher broaden its audience-targeting and data capabilities beyond its own properties to social platforms, such as Facebook.”
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The article continues with insight from chief digital officer Fred Santarpia. “With continued investment in both our internal talent and brands, and our acquisitions of Pitchfork and Backchannel, Condé Nast has driven record audience and digital revenue growth,” said Fred Santarpia, chief digital officer of Condé Nast. “Our relentless commitment to investing in quality expands beyond editorial to engineering and data, and is also represented by our recent acquisition of Poetica, and now, CitizenNet. This is just the beginning of our investment phase, and we will continue to identify, acquire and cultivate brands and companies that match our commitment to excellence as we respond to the rapid changes in the media and technology sector.”
Next we move to Vox Media, which has just named its first ever chief operating officer. Publishing Executive is reporting, “Today, Vox Media named Trei Brundrett our first Chief Operating Officer. As an essential part of Vox Media since 2006, Trei grew Vox Product from a just few employees huddled in a DC basement into a division of 120 designers, engineers, and product managers who have successfully launched or relaunched each of our eight editorial brands, rapidly evolved our approach to advertising, and built our state-of-the-art Chorus platform from scratch.”
“In addition, Lauren Rabaino steps into a new position as Executive Director of Operations, where she’ll use her skills as a leader on the growth and development team to create a framework for accomplishing our most important initiatives across the company.”
“This announcement comes on the heels of leadership appointments across our growing marketing team, which operates under new CMO Lindsay Nelson. Once again, it’s particularly exciting to welcome new team leaders from the outside, while also developing people and talent internally for Vox Media’s most senior leadership positions.”
Lastly, we’re seeing layoffs hitting Slate. Huffington Post reports, “Slate laid off about a half-dozen full-time staffers and contract writers, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.”
“Editor-in-chief Julia Turner notified staff of the cuts Monday. Politics editor Tommy Craggs, senior editor Rachael Larimore and associate editor Laura Anderson were among the employees let go, according to sources.”
More multiplatform publishing news to come in future editions.
