Author Archives: Wade Kwon

Freelancers unite for Vulcan Media Team

Posted on May 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

vulcan-media-teamWhat is Vulcan Media Team? A group of freelancers working in public relations, marketing and video production, founded by Scott Mauldin, who was laid off in March from NBC 13 (EXCLUSIVE: NBC 13 cuts another 11 positions).

Mauldin told the Birmingham Business Journal:

“I realized what talent they had and what trouble they faced finding full time work in this economy. It all started with a simple word-of-mouth idea.”

You can hear more from Mauldin in an interview from Local TV Now. (His segment starts at 18:46.)

What are other media refugees doing for their next careers? Let us know.

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Magazine ad sales: Southern Progress slumps, Hoffman gains

Posted on April 28, 2009 | 2 comments

cooking with paula deen cover

Magazines at Birmingham-based Southern Progress Corporation saw big drops in ad sales comparing the first quarter of 2008 and 2009:

  • -28.9 percent: Southern Accents
  • -26.9 percent: Southern Living
  • -11.4 percent: Cooking Light

But Hoffman Media saw an increase in ad sales during the same quarter for one magazine:

  • +14.7 percent: Cooking With Paula Deen

U.S. magazines lost 20.6 percent in ad sales overall during the first quarter.

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EXCLUSIVE: NBC 13 cuts another 11 positions

Posted on March 31, 2009 | 6 comments

scott mauldin NBC 13Media of Birmingham has learned in this exclusive report that NBC 13 eliminated 11 positions across various departments this week, including senior reporter Scott Mauldin (top left) and reporter Havonnah Johnson (bottom left). Vice president and general manager Gene Kirkconnell cited the economy as the reason behind the latest round of cuts.

havonnah johnson NBC 13Monday, Media General, which owns NBC 13, cut 130 positions total nationwide, after suspending 401(k) matching contributions and mandating two-week furloughs.

NBC 13

NBC 13 laid off 10 people in January, while ABC 33/40 laid off 15 people and Fox 6 laid off 10 in February.

Kirkconnell would not say how many employees NBC 13 has, and referred questions about further cuts from Media General to the company’s representatives. Media General has not responded to e-mail requests.

He said that NBC 13’s employees were doing a good job working with limited resources and that the station’s March ratings were looking good. NBC’s local news programs in the morning and at 5 and 6 p.m. showed increases in household ratings over the same time in 2008.

Update: Birmingham Business Journal story profiles Mauldin’s new company, Vulcan Media Team.

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Birmingham News cuts costs with 2-week unpaid leave, benefits freeze

Posted on March 23, 2009 | 2 comments

The Birmingham News is cutting costs to battle the tough economy. Full-time non-union employees will take 10-day unpaid leave. Also, the newspaper will freeze benefit accruals in the pension plan starting May 15, though it will double 401(k) company matching.

Publisher Victor Hanson III cited declining advertising as the problem. In 2008, the News reduced staff with voluntary buyouts and early retirements.

Also:

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Photos from the Inaugural Happy Hour

Posted on February 16, 2009 | 1 comment

Our 2009 started off with a great time (if a little chilly) at Rojo in January. Thanks to Gordon Bell for all the photography.

Be sure to check out all the great photos, and if you’re in them, let us know! (Or tag yourself in the Facebook album.)

Continue reading →

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Lipstick magazine folds – exclusive report

Posted on February 15, 2009 | 8 comments

Lipstick magazine - Birmingham, Alabama

Lipstick magazine, a specialty publication of the Birmingham News, has folded. Staffers were laid off and had their last day Friday, including editor in chief Tina Hatch.

The monthly women’s magazine began in 2007 and ran for 16 issues. The March issue will be the last one.

Cottage Living, a title at Birmingham-based Southern Progress Corporation, closed in November.

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30 laid off at Southern Progress; top executives retire

Posted on October 31, 2008 | 2 comments

Time Inc. Layoffs Hit Southern Progress Unit

The cuts that have been rumored for weeks at Time Inc. are starting to become reality. About 30 people were laid off Oct. 22 at the company’s Southern Progress Corp. unit, which publishes seven titles including Southern Living, Cottage Living, Cooking Light and Health.

The layoffs, representing 3 percent of SPC, were limited to the unit’s seven print magazines and were spread across business and editorial. Southern Progress’ digital and books units were not affected.

Time Inc. says Southern Progress CEO Angelillo, other execs have retired

Southern Progress Corp. Chief Executive Tom Angelillo and three other top executives have retired today, according to parent company Time Inc.

Other retirees are group publisher Scott Sheppard, editorial director Jeanetta Corbett Keller and administrative vice president Lane Schmitt.

New York-based Time announced no replacements.

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