When Entertainment News and Gossip Collide
It looks like The Hollywood Reporter is throwing its hat into the gossip pile.
This assumption (yes, my assumption) comes after THR promoted former Us Weekly editor-in-chief Janice Min as the editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter. It looks like the once-respected, 80-year-old entertainment news franchise wants more stories about Lindsay Lohan attempting to fool her booze bracelet or the fact that Mischa Barton’s ex called her a “heifer.” No, seriously. Follow the links – these are relevant articles on Us Weekly at the moment.
Now, from what reports have said, Janice Min is one smart cookie. She is obviously being brought in because traffic to the THR site are not where executives want them to be. Min knows what it takes to drive traffic to a site, sell papers and keep a readership base. This is why she is being brought in.
It seems though, with this move, THR is basically telling their loyal fan base that there will be more skin, more Lindsay and less relevant industry news. Roger Ebert said it best on his Twitter account:
So, what’s going to happen THR? I have no doubt that Min is a phenomenal talent with excellent ideas. I’m just wondering, does she fit your brand?
Am I wrong? Let me know. Drop me a comment or tweet me: @rlytle.
Personally, I think just because one person works at a certain publication does not mean they are incapable of a different approach to the same subject matter. Even for myself, I’m not sure I would turn down a position at Us Weekly if it meant a job. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Min took the position with THR because she wanted to focus more on the serious side of entertainment B2B coverage, not because she has the angle to infuse THR with celeb gossip.
The Hollywood Reporter is old school and it always will be. I was around THR folks in the NYC office last year when I worked at Billboard (they’re the same publisher and on the same floor), and they’re incredibly serious about the entertainment business, not its gossip. Plus, I’ve been published by them and I’ve experienced firsthand just know how high their standards are.
Oops, that should read “…does not mean HE or SHE is incapable…” in first sentence.
I can absolutely see where you are coming from. I think the one thing that I worry about with Min and the integrity of THR is that one of her main focuses with Us Weekly was to bring more light to reality stars. Though it obviously brought more “stank” to the magazine, the move did double Us Weekly’s circulation numbers from 2003-2009 so I’m not doubting her business chops. I know how serious of a publication THR is, but I also wager that they may give in and break some long-withstanding codes to make a buck or two.
I can see that she wants to put more voice into this publication and she could be very successful in this position. I just question whether THR would be willing to make some of the controversial changes that Min could bring.
An applause to you and your site! This is just the kind of inspiration people need. This is what gets people wound up.
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Great site! Thanks for sharing
Easy to use and awesome, excellent job
Lindsay Lohan is such a fun woman!
Yes, there is no doubt that she can be entertaining to read about in the tabloids. I just hope these tabloids don’t spill over into THR.