Erica Iacono Leaving 'PRWeek' for Ketchum

Update: PRNewser had a brief conversation with PRWeek EIC Steve Barrett, who had no further comment besides the one submitted via e-mail by Haymarket MD Lisa Kirk. In addition, he said we'll "soon see adverts" to fill the position. A quick scan of the Mediabistro job board didn't turn up any postings as yet. Exclusive: PRWeek executive editor Erica Iacono is leaving the publication and heading to Ketchum to fill the newly-created position of account supervisor, senior new business specialist. Her final day with the magazine is November 12 and she will join the firm later that month. Iacono has been with PRWeek since 2004. For Ketchum, Iacono tells PRNewser she will work on new business and handle content creation for clients in the corporate practice. On Friday, we reported on the departure of Kimberly Maul, PRWeek's corporate reporter. In June, PRNewser spoke with Julia Hood, who announced she would be leaving the publication to become president of the Arthur W. Page Society. Hood had served as editor-in-chief of the magazine from 2002 to 2008 and was publishing director of both PRWeek and DMNews when she left. Steve Barrett joined PRWeek in March as editor-in-chief, a position that was open for nearly a year after the departure of the previous EIC, Keith O'Brien. Lisa Kirk, managing director with Haymarket Media, which own PRWeek, tells us via e-mail: "[Erica] has been a tremendous asset to the PRWeek brand over the last six years and we are appreciative of her valuable contributions. We wish her well for the future." Iacono says that while she loves journalism, she's not worried about making the transition to the PR side. "I've been involved in the business side of things here for so long," she tells us. "I've always wanted to sit in on a pitch and see the behind-the-scenes of how that happens." Barri Rafferty, Ketchum senior partner and New York director, confirmed the new hire. "[Erica's] many years covering the PR industry, first as a reporter and more recently as executive editor of PRWeek, comes with a great depth and knowledge of the opportunities facing our clients," she wrote, adding that Iacono's relationships with industry leaders will benefit the firm and its clients. (Disclosure: I was a reporter at PRWeek for about three years. I left the company in October 2009 and joined PRNewser in August.) Update: We just spoke with Ketchum's Barri Rafferty to get a little more insight about the new position that Erica Iacono will be filling at the firm. The role is a hybrid one that will focus a great deal on the content needs of corporate clients like Adecco that have websites, blogs, and other platforms. "Clients more and more are looking for real-time news," said Rafferty. The firm will continue efforts to diversify its staff with people from a variety of backgrounds, for example, digital expertise or knowledge of a particular vertical.

Social Pro Daily

Erica Iacono Leaving 'PRWeek' for Ketchum

Tonya Garcia

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Tonya Garcia