The Village Voice Names Stephen Mooallem Editor In Chief Ahead Of A Major Brand Relaunch Including The Introduction Of A New Editorial Product

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Village Voice announced today that Stephen Mooallem has been hired as editor in chief to navigate the editorial vision for the legacy brand during its first relaunch in its 60-year history. As part of the relaunch, Mooallem will also drive mission and vision for a new integrated media product, VOICE, which the company plans to release on digital, print and event platforms in 2017.

The announcement comes as part of a major initiative at The Village Voice, commissioned by President and CEO Peter Barbey, intended to leverage the influential role that the iconic media brand has played, both politically and culturally, within the creative communities of New York City.

The company recently engaged renowned design firm, Pentagram, to assist with both the redesign of the regional weekly plus the new media brand, VOICE. In addition, The Village Voice has engaged digital firm, Postlight, to begin the build out of a brand new, state-of-the-art website for both editorial products.

"Stephen has the experience and perspective required to connect with our audience and engage new readers, said Mr. Barbey. "Stephen will be instrumental in guiding The Village Voice into a new phase. He has the strategic vision that we can build a brand around."

Mooallem joins The Village Voice from the eminent fashion title, Harper's Bazaar, which was nominated for four National Magazine Awards during his tenure. As executive editor, Mooallem was in charge of top-editing the magazine, overseeing staff, and creating revenue-generating extensions focused upon art, home, travel and contemporary fashion. Mooallem, who starts December 29th, will report to President and CEO Peter Barbey.

Prior to Harper's Bazaar, Mooallem served as editor in chief of Interview, where he led the Andy Warhol-founded culture, art, and fashion magazine to three National Magazine nominations. Interview reached double-digit year-over-year increases in ad pages and revenue during Mooallem's tenure as editor in chief. Mooallem began his journalistic career at The Village Voice where he served as a contributor for the national news desk.

The Village Voice also announced that, effective immediately, publisher Suzan Gursoy will add the title of chief operating officer to her billing on the company masthead. As publisher and chief operating officer, Gursoy will continue to spearhead business strategy and operations for the company. Gursoy, former publisher of ADWEEK, joined The Village Voice earlier this year. She has served in pivotal roles for the launches and relaunches of numerous marquis magazine titles throughout her career. She was also chief executive officer of her own marketing company for over ten years and recently served as chief strategy officer at the creative agency, Watson & Company.

Over recent months, The Village Voice has surged ahead with editorial improvements in advance of its relaunch next year. In addition to printing on a new elevated paper stock, the company recently produced its first dedicated Fashion Issue in 60 years plus an inaugural Film Issue tied to a new partnership forged with the New York Film Festival. Most recently, The Village Voice released an expanded "Best Of NYC®" issue—a staple of New York lifestyle culture—to feature more categories than ever. Circulation of the iconic weekly has doubled over the past year.

About The Village Voice
Founded by Dan Wolf, Ed Fancher, and Norman Mailer, The Village Voice was created in 1955 as a platform for the downtown New York creative community. As the nation's first alternative newsweekly, The Village Voice introduced free-form, high-spirited, and passionate journalism into the public discourse. 

The recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes, the National Press Foundation Award and the George Polk Award, The Village Voice remains a go-to source for coverage of New York's politics and vast cultural landscape. Known for its unique mix of in-depth reporting and incisive arts, culture, music, dance, film, and theater reviews, The Village Voice provides readers with an indispensable perspective on the world's most vibrant city.

Winner of the National Press Foundation's Online Journalism Award and the Editor & Publisher EPPY Award for Best Overall U.S. Weekly Newspaper Online, The Village Voice is staging a pivotal digital relaunch in 2017 alongside the relaunch of its newsweekly.

CONTACT:
Lisa Dallos
High10 Media
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SOURCE The Village Voice