TechWeb takes shape: Major Promotions and hires announced in the house of Uphoff

By SDH Tony Uphoff, our long time candidate to take over as CMP Media CEO didn’t land that gig, but he landed a CEO. Uphoff who is now CEO of TechWeb, one of four new companies born from the CMP bust up, is wasting no time getting his house in order. The company has announced a slew of promotions and three new hires. Take our word for it, you’ve never seen so many new Vice Presidents in one press release, at least we haven’t. Uphoff is making sure he has the right people in the right places because of the four companies created, he landed the biggest based on revenue. We were expecting to see another VP nod but I guess that one won’t be happening.

Relieved he didn't have to go through a head-hunter, Time Warner CFO John Martin assembles his minions

By SDH Earlier this week there were some major changes announced at Time Warner. No Jeff Bewkes didn't rip open Time Inc and turn it upside down. The big changes happened in the company's finance department under CFO John Martin. Since taking over for former CFO and brothel patron Wayne Pace, Martin has been slowly and silently pulling his team together to make sure that when the time comes for CEO Jeff Bewkes to really make some bold moves, his team is ready crunch the numbers. Martin has now placed himself on a pedestal with three direct reports. In making the announcement, Mr. Martin said: "These changes will help our finance group work more effectively with our businesses to pursue growth opportunities, maximize our performance and create value for our shareholders. I'm especially pleased that today's appointments come from within our company, reflecting the impressive talent and management depth we have at Time Warner." [Source]

NBC Universal's heavy Hammer

By SDH Jeff Zucker may be indirectly setting off serious competitive race for his job with the recently extended duties of some of his top lieutenants. When digital head Beth Comstock was called back to the GE mother ship, Zucker opted not to replace her by splitting her duties among three execs. Now another exec is taking on more duties and no doubt more pay. Bonnie Hammer’s duties will now include control over the development of all entertainment programming for cable channels in addition to a group of smaller cable networks owned by NBC, including the Chiller and Sleuth networks, which are devoted to horror and mystery programs. This is Zucker’s way of rewarding Hammer for doing a “Fantastic Job since Day 1”. Doesn't Bonnie Hammer kinda looks like DreamWorks boss Stacie Snyder

All hail King Uphoff, Kinda!

BY SDH Our main man (in our heads of course) Tony Uphoff may not have gotten the BIG CEO gig at CMP, because his rulers at United Business Media came up with the brilliant idea to break up the company into four separate businesses. But based on 2007 proforma revenues ($178 million) for TechWeb, formerly CMP’s Business Technology Group, Uphoff has been running the biggest group which now means he will run the biggest of the four. So at the end of the day Uphoff still carries more weight than his 3 counterparts which is not necessarily a good thing. Wonder how many employees each company has? And will each company have its own CFO? Damn it this is so confusing!

Nielsen forms new entertainment group and puts former Variety publisher Gerry Byrne in charge

BY SDH As rumors continue to escalate about the possible appointment of Tony Uphoff as CEO of CMP Media, things at his old stomping grounds over at Nielsen are being shuffled around. When Uphoff left his gig as Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter & President of the Film & Performing Arts Group, John Kilcullen was put in charge. Well John Kilcullen is now out and former Variety publisher and media and marketing consultant Gerry Byrne will run the new entertainment group which consists of Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Back Stage, Kirkus Reviews, The Bookseller, Film Journal International, and the film industry expositions ShoWest, ShowEast, Cinema Expo International and CineAsia Exposition. Previously these brands were housed under two separate groups, Film & Performing Arts and Music & Literary. Clearly Nielsen is trying to cut some costs by throwing all these brands under one group and one leader.

John Malone now has an additional 369 reasons to throw Barry Diller out on his ass, and more in this Afternoon's round up

-SDH For IAC/Interactive Corp CEO Barry Diller, news that the company lost $369.9 million in the fourth quarter, on a big write-down at its mortgage referral business couldn't have come at a worst time. Reports like this will just give Diller's indirect boss John Malone more ammunition in his quest to re-gain Liberty's 62% voting shares from Diller and use them to show him the door. [AP] So Time Warner says they are working to split AOL's outdated dial business from it's newly rolled out ad driven business. But if Time Warner is looking to sell the dial up business, who in the world would want to by a declining business? [CNNmoney] Businessweek announced today that it has named Jessica Sibley in a new roll as Senior Vice President and Worldwide Publisher [PRNW]

Quick Item: Jeff Zucker hires former ESPN exec to take on one of the most important parts of his job as CEO

-SDH Jeff Zucker has hired another direct report. The company announced that former executive vice president of ESPN Enterprises Salil Mehta, has been named president, business operations, strategy and development, reporting directly to the Zuck man himself. Mehta's new job is to tell Jeff Zucker what direction to turn the steering wheel in, to hopefully crash into a huge high growth opportunity.

Glam Media hires Yahoo! Exec and gives him a looong title

-SDH Former Yahoo!-an Dr. Kiumarse Zamanian wanted to glam up his career so where better to do this than at Glam Media. The media company geared towards women said that the good Dr. will join their team as vice president of Glam Evolution Advertising Platform. Zamanian isn't fully disconnected from Yahoo! though. He is co-holder of three U.S. Yahoo! patents which could mean big bucks for him if Yahoo! decides to sell itself. Dr. Zamanian's significant contributions at Yahoo!, driving key innovations in advertising media platforms and smart display ads, make him the ideal hire as Glam revolutionizes display advertising by better managing brand engagement online," said Fernando Ruarte, co-founder and CTO, Glam Media. "The expansion of Glam's technology team will help strengthen the Glam Evolution premium display advertising platform across highly-targeted audiences and vertical channels." Glam Media Hires Yahoo! Veteran Dr. Kiumarse Zamanian as Vice President of Glam Evolution Advertising Platform [PRNW]

What's up with Neal Shapiro? He is moving on up in the boring Educational Broadcasting world

-SDH Just last week we asked what's up with former NBC exec Neal Shapiro since he crossed over to the gray and glitzy-less world of public television, and now comes word that Mr. Shapiro is moving on up. Shapiro who joined the Educational Broadcasting Corp as President back in 2007 will take over as CEO on Feb. 4th from long time CEO Dr. William Baker. Shapiro is really getting into his new world huh? Well he sounds excited and is even anxious to start building on the new things he introduced that worked well for the company . At this rate, Shapiro can very well end up running all of PBS one day. "We must capitalize on what distinguishes Thirteen and WLIW: fearless experimentation, keen intelligence, unparalleled production quality, and a passion for leading the way forward," Shapiro said. "We are evolving as the learning habits and expectations of the public change. I believe that by dramatically increasing our capacity to produce innovative programming and by using new tools to deliver information we can make a truly tangible positive difference in people's lives." Shapiro to Head Educational Broadcasting Corp [MW]

Reader's Digest Editrix Peggy Northrop brings a cock into the hen house

-SDH In her first major move as Editor in Chief of Reader's Digest, Peggy Northrop dipped into Martha's house and hired Tom Prince, the dude who created the now defunct Blueprint to come in as her new executive editor replacing Marcia Rockwood. Prince's background seems to be heavy on the women side of the magazine business. The position he is now holding at RD is the same position he held in the past at titles like Allure, and Real Simple.

Pushed out, CMP Media's former CEO Steve Weitzner lands at Rival Ziff Davis

We called bullshit when it was announced that then CEO Steve Weitzner was stepping down to focus on international business for CMP Media. This to us is just further proof that Weitzner was ask by his rulers at United Business Media to stand down with the option of staying on in created roll to save face. Since the announcement about two months ago, Weitzner seemed to have fell of the face of b2b earth never to be heard from or about until now. The man who once ran CMP Media to keep it ahead of rivals like Ziff Davis, has now popped up in the CEO spot at Ziff Davis Enterprise, the group sold off to private investors Insight Venture Partners for $150 million back in June. Weitzner replaces Sloan Seymour and will now rule over the brands he once competed against while at CMP. CMP will surely follow this announcement with an announcement of their own, hopefully naming a new CEO to run the show. Weitzner will have to work extra hard now, to try to compete with the market leading status at CMP, which he helped to build. Now who will follow Weitzner from his old house? -YOSH CMP’s Weitzner Named CEO of Ziff Davis Enterprise [Folio]

Bertelsmann's new regime claims its first victim....

Jasmine Borhan the spin doctor for German media giant Bertelsmann AG -AKA- Bertie since 2005, has suddenly decided to pursue other interests just in time for the coming of new Bertie CEO Hartmut "Hart" Ostrowski. In an announcement posted on Bertie's corporate site December 21, 2007, the company made sure to mention that it was her own decision to leave, almost sounding as if they were trying to convince themselves. But we all know that when a new CEO takes charge, he/she kicks leftovers to the curb to make room for his/her own people. You are even more likely to be kicked to the curb when you're a newbie. Jasmine Borhan was only with Bertie for about 2 years so apparently Mr. Ostrowski's henchmen want to surround the boss with Bertie veterans. Can you blame them? Who better to spin Bertie's bullshit than a longtime bullshitter from within Bertie? This may be the beginning of many more exits now that Ostrowski is officially in control. -YOSH

Another banker joins Time Warner

-YOSH In a few weeks Jeff Bewkes will officially take over as Time Warner's big cheese. Since the announcement of his promotion, Bewkes has been slowly but surely putting in place people he wants around him and getting rid of those he doesn't, like outgoing CFO Wayne Pace. The latest member of the Bewkes administration comes not from within, or from another media company, This one comes from Bank of America. Douglas Shapiro was a media analyst for Bank of America's securities unit and has been in the Time Warner fold for about a month now. Under Bewkes he will become head of investor relations. Shapiro joining the team continues what seems to be a trend at Time Warner. Both Bewkes and Chairman Dick Parsons came from Banks. As head of the department that communicates with Time Warner’s long-suffering investors — the shares have lagged since the ill-fated 2001 merger with AOL — Mr. Shapiro will probably spend much of his time explaining how Mr. Bewkes’s plans, which will be slowly unveiled in the early months of next year, will help improve shareholder value. Media Analyst Takes Post at Time Warner [NYT]

With James Murdoch now dubbed the heir to his daddy Rupert's empire, should Peter Chernin be weighing his options, if not now then soon?

-YOSH Rupert Murdoch opened up a can of moves across News Corp and his new baby Dow Jones yesterday. One of those moves included his son James being named to oversee everything across Europe and Asia which some say solidifies his position as heir to the News Corp throne. So what does all this mean for longtime News Corp number two Peter Chernin? Should such talk make it clear to him that, he kinda out of a job if and when James does take over? Unless he wants to be the longest serving President & Chief Operating Officer in media, and that's if James will even have him. But we won't jump the gun too soon on this because Rupert is known for making things work and it could end up being a power sharing thing between Chernin and the younger Murdoch. But even still, with his experience and long run at News Corp, Chernin may want to finally be the shot caller at a media firm where he has the final say. In the mean time, James Murdoch is being groomed right in front of our eyes. Oh yeah did we mention that their is still the possibility of Lachlan Murdoch getting back in the picture? Murdoch is making the switch from BSkyB's south-west London base in Osterley to News International's east London HQ, as he steps up from his job as the satellite broadcaster's chief executive to become the chairman and chief executive of his father Rupert's extensive media businesses across two continents. He is also stepping into his father's shoes as the non-executive chairman of Sky, in which News Corp is the largest shareholder. "It's going to make a lot of people feel very old," one News International journalist said of 34-year-old Murdoch Jr's imminent arrival. Murdoch Jr in at Wapping next week [MG]

Rob Thomson and Rupert Murdoch have man love for each other, and they both dig Asian chicks

-YOSH Robert Thomson may very well be the next CEO of Dow Jones, after current CEO Richard Zaninno departs after the deal closes next week. Perhaps Zannino will go back into fashion retail or something. Robert Thomson is probably Rupert Murdoch's most vocal supporter. He was the one cheering for Rupe on the sidelines during the whole showdown with the flip flopping Bancroft family, and as the deal comes to a close we are starting to see why. Rupert and Rob we're sure see eye to eye on many things business related and personal. But the biggest thing these two share in common, and this could be a huge part of their tight relationship, is that they are both into Asian chicks, literally. However, Rupert's wife Wendy is a hotter bone hands down.

The Bewkes Administration names new money guy

-SDH More changes are already rolling out following the expected announcement of Jeff Bewkes becoming the next CEO of TimeWarner. Now another expected announcement has been made. The company has tapped TimeWarner cable CFO John Martion as the company's new CFO effective January 1st 2008. Jeff Bewkes said in a statement yesterday that he is seriously focused on creating shareholder value. John Martin's appointment couldn't solidify that anymore. Martin is known as a serious numbers cruncher and oversaw the partial spin off of the cable unit. Clearly Bewkes is putting in place his spin off artists. "The whole tone of the company, with the new management, will be more aggressive in general," said Bear Stearns analyst Spencer Wang, who once worked with Martin at ABN Amro. Wang added: "I think he brings the right combination of financial acumen, discipline and people skills to be very effective in the job." Time Warner names new CFO [Reuters]

It may have passed over our heads, but did Time Inc find the digital czar they fired people to create a salary for?

Last month we posted about Time Inc's search for a digital czar to come in and grab online advertising by the balls. However we are not sure if they did find their dream guy/girl, or they are still looking? Earlier: Time Inc hunts for a digital ad czar. Still has no corporate website

The "F" in Fox Business is for Fiorina, and we guess Fare?

Fox Business is about to put Carli Fiorina where she loves to be, back in the spotlight. Rupert Murdoch's soon to be launched business news channel is still working at beefing up its on air personalities. The latest member of the Fox Business family is non other than the former fame whore CEO of Hewlett Packard Carleton Fiorina. Fox has not made clear what her exact roll at the new network is, which usually means they are still trying to figure it out and her hire was more about publicity. However we are looking forward to hearing what the former corporate exec has to say. "We are proud to have her join FBN as a contributor," Kevin Magee, Fox News' executive vice president, said in a statement. "Carly Fiorina is one of the foremost business leaders of our time." Fiorina joins new Fox business channel [AP]

Team Bewkes already being assembled

The signs are getting stronger by the week that the Bewkes era at Time Warner is nearing. It is widely expected (DUH!) that the Time Warner board will announce Jeff Bewkes as CEO elect in the coming weeks putting to rest the obvious. But Jeff won't sit around and wait for that day to come. He, along with the help of current Time Warner big bear Dick Parsons may have already found Time Warner's next money man to replace the outgoing brothel regular and current Time Warner money man Wayne Pace. It is widely expected that Parsons and Bewkes will tap Time Warner Cable CFO John Martin to be the new Wayne Pace sans the regular brothel visits. Why John Martin? Word is, he knows how to talk that Wall Street talk and make spin offs work. He joined Time Warner Cable in 2005, before Time Warner Inc's 16 percent stake was spun off. Martin's skills in mergers and acquisitions and strategic planning could come in handy if Time Warner Inc decides to sell a bigger portion of the cable company. Time Warner close to naming Martin as CFO [Reuters]

So Tom Freston joined the board of Dreamworks Animation...Big deal!

OK so we're happy that former Viacom CEO Tom Freston got a gig as a member of the board of directors at Dreamworks Animation but we think publications like Variety are making more out of it than it really is. Tom will have no daily say so in the company, he is just another guy who has to vote on big hires, acquisitions etc... This in no way will make Sumner Redstone cut his naked morning swim short. Now if Freston was named Executive Chairman or something like that, we would make a big deal about it. Nevertheless, we are sure Freston's big third break isn't too far out. In a pointed move, Jeffrey Katzenberg-led DreamWorks Animation on Monday named Tom Freston to its board of directors. Announcement is a clear act of defiance against Viacom, from which Freston was famously fired as CEO by Sumner Redstone last fall. DreamWorks Animation pics are distribbed by Viacom-owned Paramount under a deal that extends through 2013. Dreamworks Animation adds Freston [Variety]

Unfolding: Les names Punter as his Internationl outside man

Les Moonves has a new outside man in Clive Punter. Punter (funny name) has been named CEO of CBS Outdoor International replacing Tom Goddard. Les and Clive are now in talks about Clive possibly using his middle name as his last. Punter most recently served as chief operating officer, Asia, for the international outdoor division. Goddard will step down from his job March 31, CBS said in a statement. CBS names new CEO for international outdoor business [Reuters]