Wednesday, January 15, 2014

USAT | Lenahan named Weekend magazine editor

USA Today Editor in Chief Dave Callaway announced this afternoon that Jim Lenahan has been promoted to managing editor of USA Weekend, the 22.3-million circulation magazine supplement included in more than 700 newspapers. He replaces Heather Frank, who once led the newspaper's efforts to launch a series of niche websites devoted to travel, health and beauty and other topics.

Here's the full memo text:

Folks,

I’m pleased to announce that Jim Lenahan has been named managing editor of USA Weekend, effective at the end of this month. Jim joins the newsroom from the USA Today magazine group, which includes high-end glossy publications such as Go Escape, College Guide and Modern Woman. Jim brings an editorial background that includes stints at Gannett properties such as The Courier-Journal in Louisville and The Desert Sun in Palm Springs.

Jim replaces Heather Frank, who is leaving USA Today after four years with the company. Under Heather’s leadership, USA Weekend extended its celebrity coverage, added high-profile partners such as the Culinary Institute of America and expanded the Make A Difference Day campaign to become Gannett's signature public service initiative.

Please join me in thanking Heather for her fine work and in welcoming Jim.

Cheers,

Dave

15 comments:

  1. Cheers, Dave. NSA has nothing to fear about the disclosure of the three bean salad recipes. Nice job of the public trust. Rock on GCI! Go WEAKend!

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  2. Bye, Heather. Another Hunke leaves the building . Next, Motiff? XOXOX

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  3. What a wasted hire this woman and her team was. Good riddance.

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  4. That dinky little insert needs its own managing editor? Really?

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  5. ".....which includes high-end glossy publications such as Go Escape, College Guide and Modern Woman."

    C'mon Dave...........these pubs are bottom-feeding crap.

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    Replies
    1. Dave's on a boondoogle in Davos. He won't be responding.

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    2. I heard he's there to do more indepth, hard-hitting economic reporting. You know, the kind USAT has been so famous for. Or, maybe just to ski.

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  6. Another Hunke disaster bites the dust. The transformation is truly complete!

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  7. Lenahan's a sharp editor, probably more so than this publication will ever reflect.

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  8. Known Jim for many, many years, and he's got a great pop sensibility and eye for humor. Hoping he can bring some of that to his new gig.

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  9. Jim is a great choice for this or any other publication leadership position for that matter. Smart, forward looking, cool guy.

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  10. Is this voluntary or was Heather told to leave?

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    Replies
    1. She made lots of money, did very little and was accountable to no one for years. What do you think?

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  11. I guess we got the answer to how long her contract was for. Her and Hunke completely destroyed USAT's strong health section, throwing away three decades of solid work, in a "vertical" bonfire of mutual stupidity. Not to mention her firing editors she wasn't qualified to sharpen pencils for. How many careers did those two morons ruin?

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    Replies
    1. Plenty of careers were destroyed and incompetency ruled. A much bigger farce are the scores of overpaid managers hired under Tom Beusse's watch and the legions of digital deadbeats under Payne.

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Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."

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