Claudia Eller is out after eight years as Variety’s top editor.
Variety will be open Mondays AnnouncedRamin Setoodeh (New York-based executive Editor) has been promoted to coeditor-in chief with Cynthia Littleton. He had previously worked with Eller in this role since October 2020.
Eller, who took a five-month leave from Variety’s top job in 2020 after a staff revolt over an article she wrote about newsroom diversity and subsequent clashes at a staff meeting, was previously announced as serving out the end of her contract in summer 2022.
Eller and representatives for the Penske Media-owned trade publication did not respond to requests for comment on the expedited timeline or what role — if any — Eller may have within the Penske empire.
Setoodeh, Variety’s former New York bureau chief who wrote last year’s bestselling book “Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of ‘The View,’”He did acknowledge Eller in the statement to his outlet.
“Working at Variety for the last eight years under Claudia Eller’s leadership has been the most rewarding experience of my career,”Variety was informed by him. “I’m incredibly excited to be teaming up with Cynthia Littleton, one of the best reporters and editors in the business, to grow our award-winning magazine and website.”
Littleton will report to Michelle Sobrino Stearns, Variety’s president and group publisher.
In June 2020, reported that Eller was leaving her position temporarily “to take a serious moment of reflection,”Following complaints received during a town hall meeting.
Variety held an all hands company-wide meeting following criticism Eller received from other entertainment journalists on Twitter. There was also a fraught exchange between Eller and former Hollywood Reporter senior editor Piya Singh-Roy over an article she wrote about newsroom diversity. Eller called the town hall to address staff pressure following the tweets. Jay Penske, Penske Media CEO joined the meeting.
InSend a letter to staffEller wrote the following after the town hall. “The last few months have been an incredibly stressful and challenging time, for everyone. That said, there is no excuse for the Twitter exchange I had with Piya last night. I completely understand your anger and upset at me; it is not at all misplaced.”
Eller, an ex-L.A. Times reporter, is known for being a demanding boss. Eller joined Variety to manage the newsroom in 2014. She was given the task of leading the newsroom in the highly competitive Hollywood trade reporting world. Variety’s competitor.