Reed Business may be up for sale, but life goes on at the brands p
roduced by the media giant. Ben Grossman has been named editor of Broadcasting & Cable, overseeing both digital and print. The announcement was made today by Reed Television & Publishing Group president Jeff DeBalko and Television Group publisher Larry Dunn, who also announced that Mark Robichaux will assume the same position with Multichannel News. Grossman was formerly Los Angeles Bureau Chief for B&C. Robichaux led B&C since August, when he was promoted from executive editor. He was a 13-year veteran of the Wall Street Journal.
The company also announced that editorial director Tom Steinert-Threlkeld who was overseeing both Reed Television Group publications is now no longer with the organization. He was at the epicenter of a Black Monday shakeup with layoffs at both publications last August. An insider tells me, 
"The reason they pushed 'TST' out is that he had really fought the sales guy Larry Dunn about giving it all up to advertisers and trying to pass off editorial that was really advertorial. TST is an old school principled guy and said, "You can't do this.' " Also, the moves reduce payroll even further. Both outlets are major trades in the TV business, although their differentiation has long been a mystery to the showbiz world. Which is why bets are being waged that only one and not both trades will emerge once Reed Business is sold. So, to reiterate a phrase I used in connection with The Hollywood Reporter not long ago, this does sound like just more rearranging of deck chairs on the Titanic.
So, which of the two publications will make it? Nikki, I always value your opinion.
Comment by BriteBlonde1 — May 22, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Does anyone outside of B&C take Ben Grossman seriously? I was under the impression that he was more or less a joke and that everyone knew it. Any insight, Nikki, as to how or why he got this editor gig?
Comment by Can't Take it Anymore — May 22, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
It’s about time — congrats to Ben.
Comment by Jeff Greenfield — May 22, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Nikki has it spot on, shuffling the chairs on the Titanic. Been there, done that.
I wish my remaining colleagues the best as Reed attempts to dress up the book, fixing the bottom line to make a buyer even look at this dwindling mess of assets that the corporate parent in Europe does not understand.
Here’s the deal, Tad Smith got rid of high priced talent, and now this. That is all that happened here.
Comment by Marianne Paskowski — May 22, 2008 @ 10:31 pm