POWER MOVES: Meredith Vieira's shift to co-anchor of "The Today Show" was a smarter career move than Katie Couric's arrival at CBS Nightly News, according to Forbes' annual ranking of the World's Most Powerful Women. The two women, along with "Good Morning America" anchor Diane Sawyer, were included on the list of the magazine's top 100 women in business, politics, media and fashion. Vieira ranked 55th on the list, jumping up 14 places from her rank last year. Couric, meanwhile, dropped to 63rd this year from 54th in 2006. Sawyer ranked 60th on the list, compared to last year's rank of 62nd. Couric's struggles to find her footing on the evening news program have been widely documented by media observers. Meanwhile, "Meredith made a seamless entry into the nation's top morning show," said Forbes senior editor Elizabeth MacDonald, who edited the list. "She has an exceptionally high Q-rating, and solid experience in both hard news and daytime television. 'Today Show' advertisers and audiences alike have responded favorably to Meredith."
The New York Times chief executive Janet Robinson earned a big jump in the rankings, moving to 45th this year from 74th last year. During her tenure, as the Internet continues to gather more ad revenue from traditional media, Robinson has spearheaded a number of changes at the paper in an attempt to boost the bottom line, such as cutting its trim size and increasing the subscription and cover price. "She's come up with a do-or-die growth strategy that will decide the fate of the paper," said MacDonald.
Other media power hitters include Oprah Winfrey (21st, dropping from 14th last year); Judy McGrath, chief executive, MTV Networks (31st; 52nd last year) Time Inc. chief executive Ann Moore (57th; 53rd in 2006); CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour (74th; 79th in 2006); Playboy chief executive Christie Hefner (85th; 80th in 2006), and Hearst Magazines president Cathie Black (94th; 92nd last year). Newcomers to the list include Rosalía Mera, cofounder of Inditex, owner of Spanish retail chain Zara (76th); Maureen Chiquet, global chief executive, Chanel (80th), and Giuliana Benetton, director of both Edizione Holding and The Benetton Group (91st). — Stephanie D. Smith
EMAP'S REVIEW CONTINUES: Emap, the British publishing giant, which last month revealed a strategic review of its business and assets, said in a statement Thursday that it had received "further interest for all parts of the group," which comprises consumer publications, B2B titles and a radio division, and said the company "will be providing information to interested parties over the next few weeks."
The New York Times chief executive Janet Robinson earned a big jump in the rankings, moving to 45th this year from 74th last year. During her tenure, as the Internet continues to gather more ad revenue from traditional media, Robinson has spearheaded a number of changes at the paper in an attempt to boost the bottom line, such as cutting its trim size and increasing the subscription and cover price. "She's come up with a do-or-die growth strategy that will decide the fate of the paper," said MacDonald.
Other media power hitters include Oprah Winfrey (21st, dropping from 14th last year); Judy McGrath, chief executive, MTV Networks (31st; 52nd last year) Time Inc. chief executive Ann Moore (57th; 53rd in 2006); CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour (74th; 79th in 2006); Playboy chief executive Christie Hefner (85th; 80th in 2006), and Hearst Magazines president Cathie Black (94th; 92nd last year). Newcomers to the list include Rosalía Mera, cofounder of Inditex, owner of Spanish retail chain Zara (76th); Maureen Chiquet, global chief executive, Chanel (80th), and Giuliana Benetton, director of both Edizione Holding and The Benetton Group (91st). — Stephanie D. Smith
EMAP'S REVIEW CONTINUES: Emap, the British publishing giant, which last month revealed a strategic review of its business and assets, said in a statement Thursday that it had received "further interest for all parts of the group," which comprises consumer publications, B2B titles and a radio division, and said the company "will be providing information to interested parties over the next few weeks."
