Editor & Publisher shut down after 125 years

Posted by Betsey Reinsborough on December 11, 2009 at 11:19 AM

Editor & Publisher will cease publication after 125 years in the business. Both the print and online versions of the publication will be shut down at the end of the year.

The announcement was made yesterday by parent company, The Nielson Co., after the magazine failed to be included in a deal with e5 Global Media Holdings, LLC., a new company formed by Pluribus Capital Management and Guggenheim Partners. The two companies had organized the sale of eight brands in the Media and Entertainment Group.

The titles sold are Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek, Backstage, Billboard, Film Journal International, The Clio Awards, and The Hollywood Reporter. Kirkus Reivews was not included in the deal either and will be closed as well.

In an article about its own demise, Editor & Publisher remained hopeful for the future, "The expressions of surprise and outpouring of strong support for E&P that have followed across the Web -- Editor & Publisher has even hit No. 4 as a Twitter trending topic -- raise the notion that the publication might yet continue in some form... As news spread of E&P's fate, the staffers have been inundated with calls from members of the industry it covers, and many others, expressing shock and hopes for a revival."

There is speculation, according to mediabistro.com, that WebMediaBrands offered to take over E&P several months ago, but because they offered no money for the magazine, Nielson refused.

The magazine version of Editor & Publisher was launched in 1901, but has roots back to 1884 with its original publication, The Journalist.

Sources: Editor & Publisher, mediabistro.com