BtoB Media Business - February 2008 - (Page 25)

People On the Move Larranaga picked as publisher of ‘Nation’s Restaurant News’ B-to-b media company LebharFriedman has named Tom Larranaga publisher of Nation’s Restaurant News. He succeeds Alan Gould, who left the company. Larranaga, who joined Lebhar-Friedman in May 2006, was most recently associate publisher and national sales manager of Nation’s Restaurant News. PROFILE Translating lessons learned from b-to-b Nussbaum takes over F+W’s magazine, book divisions BY MARY ELLEN PODMOLIK PEOPLE D Li chosen as publisher of ‘Condé Nast Portfolio’ William Li has been named publisher of Condé Nast Portfolio. Li joined Condé Nast Portfolio from Men’s Vogue, where he had been publisher since its 2006 inception. The move follows a management shake-up at Condé Nast in which David Carey, who had run the business side of the magazine, was named group president and publishing director of Condé Nast Publications. Dunbar-Johnson named publisher of ‘International Herald Tribune’ The New York Times Co. announced that Exec VP Stephen Dunbar-Johnson has been named publisher of The International Herald Tribune. He succeeds Michael Golden, who will continue to serve as Times Co.’s vice chairman. Dunbar-Johnson was named exec VP of The International Herald Tribune in 2006. Mehta selected as global editor of ‘Fortune’ Fortune has appointed Stephanie Mehta to the newly created position of global editor, effective immediately. Mehta was previously a senior writer at Fortune. The magazine’s European and Asian editions will continue to feature content that appears in the North American edition. All three editions will be filled with international content from Fortune’s international bureaus. the first four months, Nussbaum found the deals avid Nussbaum doesn’t want to boast. were overpriced. His frustration grew in August, But when pressed, the 20-year-plus when the credit markets faltered while sellers’ exb-to-b publishing veteran and for- pectations remained high. When ABRY apmer Penton Media CEO acknowledges that proached Nussbaum about taking over F+W, he decided to put Sundance into, he’s got a deep digital backas he calls it, “hibernation.” ground, having worked in David Nussbaum Company: F+W “I knew what F+W was. the Internet space since the Publications That was a bird in the hand,” 1990s. He’s led large compaLocation: New he said. “F+W is an exciting nies and knows how to best York organize them. He knows the Title: Chairman- company to be associated CEO with. It has great brands, expense side of the house. [and] it’s in a sector—enthuAnd he understands the Big move: Takes helm of siast media—where the pas“hopes and dreams” of pri- special-interest publisher. Five-year plan: Grow a sion is just overflowing.” vate equity firms. robust e-media business for Nussbaum plans to greatly That skill set, he said, will its magazine and book expand the digital presence of aid him in his first foray into a divisions. Develop new rich the magazine division, which field where he has absolutely data products. includes such titles as Antique no experience—niche consumer magazines and books aimed at enthusi- Trader, The Artist’s Magazine, graphic arts asts. Brought in last month by ABRY Partners to magazine HOW, Sports Collectors Digest and serve as chairman-CEO of F+W Publications, Writer’s Digest. The company already is in the Nussbaum already had his strategy set after less process of hiring 18 e-media people and adding new software so it can build online communithan a week in the new job. So Nussbaum isn’t too daunted about the ties as well as offer a combination of in-house prospect of shepherding F+W’s magazine and and user-generated content. “Our magazines were very well-read and book divisions. “I’m not leaving b-to-b,” Nussbaum said. important,” Nussbaum said. “The events we “I’m going to F+W. I’m going to an opportu- run in a lot of these fields are very important. In digital, we need to run a little bit harder.” nity. I’m not leaving a sector.” The book side of the company is further beHe added, “I think b-to-b and enthusiast media look very similar. Enthusiasts are de- hind in terms of digital product development. fined communities, and their communities are Nussbaum wants to create online communities very passionate and very vertical. There are a around the major book sectors. Also, he’s intrigued by Amazon’s development of wireless lot of similarities.” It was only 11 months ago, following Pen- reading device Kindle and hopes to ultimately ton’s sale and his exit from the company, that link some kind of device with F+W content. Acquisitions, which have played an imNussbaum formed Sundance Business Enterprises. His goal was to work again with ABRY, portant role in the company’s growth since which committed $100 million in equity to the 1999, will receive more attention in 2009, he partnership seeking b-to-b media investments. said. “Right now, the No. 1 strategic focus and But timing wasn’t in the venture’s favor. For investment is going to digital,” he said. FT.com appoints Edgar first head of video The Financial Times has appointed Richard Edgar to the newly created position of head of video for FT.com. Edgar joins FT.com from Reuters Video, where he was editor in charge for Europe, Middle East and Africa. His appointment coincides with the launch of new video content including: “View From the Markets,” a weekly interview produced in Asia, and an online lecture series from the Indian School of Business focusing on reaching consumers in emerging markets. FT.com currently publishes more than 100 videos a month. mediabusinessonline.com | February 2008 | Media Business | 25 http://FT.com http://FT.com http://FT.com http://FT.com http://mediabusinessonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BtoB Media Business - February 2008

BtoB Media Business - February 2008
Contents
Upfront
Cover Story
Feature
Sales & Marketing
Events
Online
Production
Circulation
People
Benchmarks
Endnote

BtoB Media Business - February 2008