CRAINS’S NEW YORK BUSINESS March 8, 2013
Time Inc. spinoff: streamlined, but leaderless…But magazine industry-watchers said the spinoff raised doubts about the publishers future and seemed to be one more example of the missed opportunities that have plagued the division for years.
This was clearly was Plan B, said magazine consultant Peter Kreisky.
Like some other observers, he felt the company would have been better served by a deal with Meredith Corp. that was under discussion last month and would have combined that publishers women-oriented titles with most of Time Inc.s Talks reportedly disintegrated partly because Time Warner did not want to be left with magazines that did not fit in with Meredith including Fortune, Time and Sports Illustrated.
A deal with Meredith would have given [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][the combined entity] scale and focus, Mr. Kreisky said. The fact is that changing [the Time Inc.] culture is extraordinarily difficult, and that is the challenge that this new company will continue to face.
Mr. Kreisky had firsthand knowledge of those difficulties two years ago as an advisor to Jack Griffin, the onetime Meredith Corp. executive who lasted less than six months as Time Inc. CEO before a culture clash forced his departure.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE/REUTERS March 7, 2013
Analysis: Once-proud Time Inc seen struggling as independent firm. Without effective leadership it will be four years by the time it spins out with nobody to make the tough decisions about where to place bets and where not to, said Peter Kreisky, a former senior advisor to Time Inc and chairman of Kreisky Media, a media strategy firm.
THE ECONOMIST March 7, 2013:
Time Warner spin out plans: Timed out A deal with Meredith would have been “an elegant solution”, says Peter Kreisky, a media consultant and former advisor to Time Inc. Meredith had synergies with many of Time Inc’s titles. The combined companies could have consolidated some of their magazines, editorial staffs and advertising sales teams.
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