Entertainment Weekly and InStyle will stop publishing print

Barry Diller’s IAC Dotdash is ceasing print publication of six titles it acquired last year from Meredith Corp., including former industry giants Entertainment Weekly and InStyle. This decision should result in around 200 job cuts.

Entertainment Weekly editor Mary Margaret — who was hired last year to lead the magazine as its first female editor — is expected to stay on and lead EW’s digital operations, two people with knowledge of the news told TheWrap. the situation. Margaret would replace EW’s chief digital officer, Shana Krochmal, who would lose her job, insiders said.

Another victim is longtime writer and editor Lynette Rice, who recently published a bestselling book on “Grey’s Anatomy” titled “How to Save a Life.”

A representative for IAC Dotdash did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment on Wednesday.

Staff members from the six titles – which also include EatingWell, Health, Parents and People en Espanol – were awaiting calls from the IAC Dotdash human resources team on Wednesday to find out their whereabouts.

In a memo to staff on Wednesday, CEO Neil Vogel outlined the case for moving some of his top titles to digital-only operations. “We said from the start that buying Meredith was about buying brands, not magazines or websites,” Vogel said. “It is no news to anyone that there has been a pronounced shift in readership and advertising from print to digital, and as a result, for a few major brands, print no longer serves the purpose. principal of the brand.”

IAC Dotdash plans to continue print publication of 19 other Meredith magazines, including People, Better Homes & Gardens and Southern Living – although Vogel said the company will reduce sizes and improve paper quality.

Entertainment Weekly, which Time Inc. launched in 1990 and quickly established itself as an influential voice in pop culture, transitioned to monthly print publication in July 2019 amid an industry-wide downturn in print advertising and newsstand sales.

Margaret was hired last March as the first female editor at Entertainment Weekly. She previously held positions at Time Inc. and Radar Online, among other publications, working in various editorial roles before moving to Roku to be editorial director, then Facebook to be responsible for product content strategy for video and content. games. Margaret was hired after former editor JD Heyman was ousted at the end of 2020 after several senior executives filed complaints with the company’s HR accusing him of creating a hostile workplace by belittling employees. employees and making “inappropriate” and “racically insensitive” comments.

Last October, IAC Dotdash announced that it would acquire Meredith Meredith Corporation in an all-cash deal valued at $2.7 billion.

Jethro Nededog, a former EW.com editor, contributed to this report.