Inside the Evolution of Entertainment Weekly’s Masthead
For the past three decades, Entertainment Weekly has been a mainstay in American pop culture. With its weekly coverage of movies, music, television, and books, the magazine has captured the hearts and minds of millions of readers.
However, one of the less-known aspects of Entertainment Weekly’s success is the way it has evolved its masthead to keep up with the constantly changing media landscape. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history and evolution of the magazine’s masthead and how it has contributed to its success.
The Earliest Days
When Entertainment Weekly was first launched in 1990, it was the brainchild of media mogul Barry Diller, who had previously founded Fox Broadcasting Company and USA Broadcasting. The magazine’s masthead at the time was relatively small and simple, comprising only a handful of editors and writers.
However, even in these early days, Entertainment Weekly was disrupting the established order of pop culture journalism. By covering all areas of entertainment in a single publication, it broke down the traditional barriers between different mediums and helped to establish the concept of “convergence culture.”
Entering the Digital Age
The rise of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s brought about considerable changes in the entertainment industry. As consumers increasingly turned to online sources for news and information, traditional print publications struggled to keep up.
Entertainment Weekly was no exception, and in order to remain relevant, it had to adapt its masthead to reflect the new digital era. This meant hiring new editors and writers with specific expertise in areas such as social media, digital video, and data analytics.
The magazine also shifted its focus to breaking news and timely features in order to capitalize on the immediacy of online publishing. This, in turn, led to a further expansion of the masthead, as more and more staff were needed to cover the rapidly shifting world of entertainment.
Today’s Masthead
As of 2021, Entertainment Weekly’s masthead comprises over 80 full-time staff members, including editors, writers, digital producers, and designers. The magazine’s current editor-in-chief is JD Heyman, who took over in May 2020.
In recent years, the magazine has continued to evolve its masthead in response to changing trends in pop culture and media. For example, it has started employing more diverse voices and perspectives, with a particular focus on representing underrepresented communities.
Entertainment Weekly has also continued to expand its digital presence, with a strong social media presence and a growing podcast network. All of these changes to the masthead have helped to establish Entertainment Weekly as a leader in the world of pop culture journalism, with a loyal following of devoted readers and viewers.
Key Takeaways
The evolution of Entertainment Weekly’s masthead over the past three decades reflects the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. From its early days as a print-only magazine to its current status as a multimedia powerhouse, the magazine has had to adapt to stay relevant.
By hiring staff with expertise in new mediums and technologies and by embracing diversity and inclusion, Entertainment Weekly has established itself as a leader in the pop culture world. Its masthead is a testament to the publication’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve and delivering the best possible content to its audience.
