May 26, 2012

Nikki Finke Expands Her Empire

Variety reporter Fleming and UK journalist Tim Adler hired by Deadline.com

by Rebecca Pahle | Published January 13, 2010

Variety journalist Mike Fleming has been hired as the editor of Deadline|New York, a companion to editor Nikki Finke’s Deadline|Hollywood, recently named one of the 50 Best Websites for Moviemakers. Deadline|New York will be an online destination for Fleming to report on the business of film and television, as well as other areas of New York entertainment. Fleming, whose many entertainment industry connections have allowed him to gain access to exclusive scoops in his 20 years at Variety, started his career in journalism as the editor of the Media Industry Newsletter.

Finke, Deadline.com’s general manager and editor-in-chief, states, “I am thrilled and honored that a big brand like Mike Fleming with a huge following is joining Deadline.com… I know that Deadline|NewYork will become a great showcase for Mike’s expert knowledge of the entertainment business.”

Adds Fleming, “I treasure my 20 years with Variety… But the time has come for this new challenge. I thank my Variety readers for staying with me all this time, and I hope they follow me to Deadline|New York.”

In addition, UK entertainment business journalist Tim Adler has been hired for Deadline|London. Adler previously worked as the editor of Screen Finance. According to Finke, “Hiring Tim Adler was an easy decision because of his singular expertise and experience in breaking news in the entertainment industry.”

Deadline|New York and Deadline|London are set to go live later this month at Deadline.com, but both have already begun reporting on the site. In fact, it was Fleming, along with Finke, who broke the news that director Sam Raimi and actor Tobey Maguire were leaving Spider-Man 4. Not a bad way to kick off the partnership.