DailyTech - 'PC World' Editor-in-Chief Returns After Making His Point

Submit News

Blog: IT 'PC World' Editor-in-Chief Returns After Making His Point
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - May 10, 2007 1:15 AM

E-mail

del.icio.us

7 comment(s) - last by Oregonian2.. on May 11 at 6:17 PM

Analysts say 'PC World' would have been hopeless without McCracken

Several days ago, reports about PC World magazine Editor-in-Chief Harry McCracken leaving the magazine hit the news wire. According to those close to McCracken, the 16-year editor chose to leave the magazine because pressure was put on to avoid articles that could jeopardize relationships with companies that advertised in the magazine. Senior vice president of IDG -- the parent company of PC World -- Colin Crawford was said to have axed an article called "Ten Things We Hate About Apple."

In a surprise turn around, PC World announced that McCracken is back with the magazine but in new shoes. In a story by PC World's staff, McCracken is now vice president, editor-in-chief. As acting vice president and editor-in-chief, McCracken will have complete say over editorial content of PC World. Robert Carrigan, president of IDG Communications indicated that Crawford will also remain with the outfit as executive vice president.

"In this role, [Crawford] will be responsible for driving IDG's online strategy and initiatives in support of our Web-centric business focus," said Carrigan. "We will conduct a search for a new CEO to lead PC World and Macworld."

McCracken also issued statements and said that he was happy to be back with the magazine. "I'm thrilled to be back with the PC World team. IDG is a company I've loved working for over the past 16 years, and one with a remarkable history of enabling editors to serve our customers -- the millions of people who depend on our content online and in print."

Despite the popping champagne bottles at PC World for McCracken's return, some analysts said that the outfit had no choice but to convince McCracken of a return. To avoid a bad image and a public stigma of editorial corruption, McCracken's come back was a necessary move for PC World. Shifting Crawford to a new role outside of the magazine was also an apologetic move by IDG.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

Apple trembles?

By SomeYoungMan on 5/10/2007 1:13:33 PM , Rating: 2

That "10 Things We Hate About Apple" article better be good and juicy enough to warrant all this drama.

RE: Apple trembles?

By soydios on 5/10/2007 4:18:09 PM , Rating: 3

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130994-page,1/ar...

FYI, the article in question was posted Monday.

Parent

RE: Apple trembles?

By SomeYoungMan on 5/10/2007 7:57:02 PM , Rating: 3

Thanks for the link. There wasn't anything super-scathing in the article. In fact, there's a sister article titled "10 Things We Love About Apple" that goes along with it.

Probably just a publicity stunt to drum up readership.

Parent

RE: Apple trembles?

By rrsurfer1 on 5/10/2007 4:19:58 PM , Rating: 2

It wasn't about this article alone, that was just what triggered it. It was more about what Crawford said, which was basically that everything was to be approved by him, which should not be his job, it's the EIC's job.

It's a good thing they hired him back, because I'm sure they would have lost alot of readers from this. The company as a whole handled it well even if Crawford didn't.

Parent

ads

By Super on 5/10/2007 6:20:04 PM , Rating: 2

In my last issue of PC World i counted it up and it was ~48% ads. A gentleman i worked with said the rest of the pages were ads disguised as articles.

RE: ads

By Oregonian2 on 5/11/2007 6:17:51 PM , Rating: 1

I've found PC World (long term) to be that way pretty much. Some editorial contribution, but fairly light weight.

The old PC Magazine was the hardy creator of information out of their ZD Labs organization that used to be pretty substantial. Nowadays they're a lightweight shell of what they once were but under Lauderback at least doesn't try to fake reviews like PC World does (or seems to do). At least honest in their current light-weightedness.

So the old great PC Magazine is gone along with ZDTV. I still prefer PC Mag over PC World, but at least PC World has been "steady" fluff rather than the fluff remains of something once great (PC mag).

Parent

This is a good thing

By Iroh on 5/10/2007 9:12:18 AM , Rating: 2

Even though this article screams of 'scrambling to save your ass', rehiring the editor and giving him more power is a good move for everyone involved.