The Strad loses its Editor

The Strad loses its Editor

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norman lebrecht

March 05, 2014

Ariane Todes is stepping down after 12 years at the magazine, eight of them as editor.

The move is described as a ‘restructuring of the team to separate the online and magazine sides of the brand’.

If that’s what it is, it’s a major brand error.

No music magazine has the trust of its sector as much as The Strad does among string players and sellers. Much of that trust as built by Ariane’s shrewd editoriship and advocacy. It will now have to be rebuilt from scratch.

Ariane, however, will go on to bigger and better things as a player, writer and editor. I enjoyed wiring for her as a columnist. Sad day for The Strad.

ariane todes

Comments

  • John Soloninka says:

    What!!?? IMHO She was outstanding, perfect for the role!! She also could have handled both outlets…no idea why they would split their brand??

  • Anon says:

    Why would it need to be re-built from scratch? Surely they are relying on building (or falling) from where they are – the goodwill and trust of the readership and advertisers won’t disappear overnight.

  • MWnyc says:

    Does the Strad by chance have a new or new-ish owner or publisher?

    I agree that separating the online and dead-tree sides is a mistake, but it’s a mistake that many new owners seem to make after they’ve acquired a particular property.

  • Helen Henderson says:

    Sounds like she was pushed rather than jumped. A real shame and a loss. The editorial standards of The Strad during her tenure have been impeccable.

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