Zennie Abraham of The Blog Report With Zennie62 writes a Smart and insightful piece on this merger of Newsweek with The Daily Beast. Abraham observes that the merger between these two Old/New media firms can't last. Why? Because the rationale is based in the East Coast/ Big Media Celebrity, "it's going to happen because we set the tone" mentality. And the rhetoric seems very yesterday . No articulated vision as yet. The NY Times Dealbook suggests that Newsweek really needed the creative editorial force of Tina Brown and that's why the deal was done. They further point out the daunting financials of both organizations.
Tina Brown has long been a Journalism celeb because she took chances and brought a sassy Brit attitude to US publishing. Running the New Yorker & VF is big time media no matter the era. Analog OR Digital! It just doesn't get much better than Tina Brown as an Editor.
But celebrity status and Harmon & Diller's money will matter little if they fail to make this union go. I'm skeptical.
I confess, a bit of sentimentality. It was Newsweek that sparked my interest in Journalism. My Mom sent me a subscription when I was a soldier/kid in Vietnam. It usually came 2-3 weeks late and I'd carry the latest issue in my Rucksack into the Jungle. And it was there that I first read the byline of World Class Newsweek Photographer Wally McNamee, who snapped the image below of Russian Premiere Leonid Brezhnev. His mind and eye influenced my career choice. So I wish Newsweek well.
Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev eyes actress Jill St. John at a poolside reception hosted by President Nixon in California.
