Donaton to Publish 'Entertainment Weekly,' AdWeek Cuts Frequency

Big, Big BIG news! Long time Advertising Age man Scott Donaton has been wooed by Time Inc. to become the publisher of the company's Entertainment Weekly. Having been with Crain's Advertising Age since 1989, Donaton has seen a lot of changes at the flagship advertising trade publication and has had a big hand in making them happen as well.

As a reader of Entertainment weekly since its early small "e" days, we can't wait to see what Donaton does for the mag. Apparently, it's ad pages are down and it needs a boost. Hopefully, Scott can do it.

In other ad trade mag news, skillfully giving the change a positive spin, AdWeek today announced it will expand its digital offerings (though it didn't offer details) and will reduce the frequency of its print publication to 26 issues a year. Are Jonah Bloom and Rance Crain high fiving each other today or what? Not that AdWeek ever posed even the tiniest threat to Advertising Age. Long live AdFreak!

To: Time Inc. Staff

From: Stephanie George

Re: Staff Announcement

On the recommendation of Time Inc. Entertainment Group President Paul Caine, I am pleased to announce that Scott Donaton has been named Publisher of Entertainment Weekly, effective December 10.

Many of you know Scott as the Publisher of Advertising Age, where he worked for nearly two decades, first on the editorial side, where he rose to Editor. Most recently as Publisher, Scott has focused on expanding the Ad Age brand in print, online, in video and through marquee conferences.

Prior to being named Publisher in February 2007, Scott served as Ad Age's Associate Publisher and Editorial Director, with primary responsibility for such high-growth areas as events and conferences, digital new-product development, and global licensing. Scott also founded Advertising Age's Madison & Vine initiative, which includes a popular conference and subscription-based Web site.

Recognized as an authority in media, Scott has received many industry accolades, including being inducted into the American Advertising Federation's Advertising Hall of Achievement.

Scott's perspective on the relationship between entertainment and business makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Entertainment Weekly brand. He shares EW's signature wit and passion for all things movies, music and television. Paul and I are confident that Scott will help EW build on its position as America's leading consumer magazine of entertainment and popular culture. As part of the Time Inc. Entertainment Group, EW will benefit from a joint strategy with PEOPLE, People en Espamol and StyleWatch.

Please join me in congratulating Scott and welcoming him to Time Inc.

S.G.

Written by Steve Hall    Comments (3)     File: Magazine, Publishing     Nov-20-07