Michael Ausiello has made his first hire at his as-yet-unnamed TV site, and we’re excited to see what Matt Mitovitch and Michael have in store!
As everyone knows, MMC, our beloved parent company, is gearing up to launch a shiny, brand-new, full-color site all about TV. And the site’s founder, Michael Ausiello, is welcoming his first major editor on board.
Entertainment news reporter Matt Webb Mitovich is the first major hire to join Michael Ausiello in launching a new consumer TV focused property with media and publishing company MMC. Founded by its Chairman & CEO, Jay Penske, MMC owns entertainment properties Deadline.com led by Nikki Finke, HollywoodLife.com led by Bonnie Fuller, and Movieline.com led by Charles Runnette. The new consumer TV website will debut in January 2011. Starting November 29, Mitovich’s role will be to assist Ausiello, the site’s Editor-In-Chief, in developing this new TV property and defining its editorial plan. “When I started to think about the best reporters in TV news, Matt’s was the first name that popped into my head,” said Ausiello. “Then I thought, ‘No way do I want someone THAT good anywhere near my new website. I’ve seen Showgirls. I know how that ends. But then I realized, no, for the good of the readers, we HAVE to hire him.”
Once launched, Mitovich will be the Editor-At-Large of the new MMC property. Over the course of his stints at Fancast.com (where he currently is executive editor of TV News) and TV Guide, Mitovich has conducted more than 1,200 celebrity interviews and evolved as one of the go-to reporters for TV lovers who crave exciting news and previews. In addition to breaking TV news stories, Mitovich is well known for a fun, relaxed and free-flowing interview style that elicits both insight and storyline intel from the actors and producers with whom he talks.
“We are thrilled to have another incredible talent like Matt join our quickly expanding team,” commented MMC Founder and CEO, Jay Penske. “He has become one of the TV industry’s most prominent and best all-around consumer TV journalists–and now with Michael Ausiello and Matt Mitovich working together, and contributions from Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva, this business holds almost limitless potential.”
“Words cannot adequately express the excitement I feel embarking on this journey with MMC, Jay Penske and Michael Ausiello,” said Mitovich. “Through the years, Mike and I have wishfully spoken of one day creating a TV news destination to call our own, so it is with unmatched enthusiasm that I look forward to turning that dream into – spoiler alert – a reality, and one in which our fellow TV enthusiasts can share.”
“The depth and breadth of experiences I have enjoyed at Fancast and TV Guide bring me to this venture with the utmost confidence that I can create a must-see destination for TV news and features,” Mitovich added.
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About Matt Webb Mitovich
A native of Stamford, Connecticut, and graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School Of Public Communication, Mitovich started his career in journalism at Soaps in Depth Magazine – that is where he first worked alongside Michael Ausiello, ultimately succeeding him as News Director. Prior to joining Fancast, Mitovich worked at TV Guide Magazine and TVGuide.com, where he served as Senior News Editor. It was at TV Guide that Matt cemented his status as one of the industry’s most respected reporters, breaking news on television’s biggest stars and shows. Mitovich lives in Northern New Jersey with his twin 8-year-old sons, both of whom share his enthusiasm for TV scoop… as long as it pertains to ‘Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.’
About MMC
MMC is a leading digital media and publishing company founded by CEO Jay Penske in 2004. MMC owns a unique portfolio of lifestyle brands that provide the web’s best original content in categories including entertainment, automotive, breaking news, media, gadgets, finance, tech, health, beauty, and style. HollywoodLife.com, BGR.com, OnCars.com, Deadline.com, Movieline.com, India.com, HollyBaby.com, and Fan.com, are all part of the MMC digital portfolio. Until recently MMC also owned the Mail.com global portal and email brand. Under a transaction with Europe’s largest Internet company, United Internet, which acquired Mail.com in 2010, MMC retains the exclusive right to provide content from its portfolio to the Mail.com portal. For further information about MMC, please visit http://corp.mail.com
