NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Nielsen announced that it will immediately cease publishing the venerable trade journal Radio & Records after a 36-year run. The final edition of the magazine is the June 5th edition and online products end as of June 3rd.
R&R Editorial Director/Associate Publisher Cyndee Maxwell stated, "Everyone on this team has worked extremely hard to fulfill the vision of Radio & Records, and everyone can hold their heads high on this very sad day. We had a highly talented group of people that always worked hard and gave it their best — especially in the recent past. I deeply regret that this day has come. The good news for some other companies out there is that we have many fantastic people who are now available to put their excellent talents, abilities and skills to work for someone else."
MediaWeek reported that R&R's publisher Howard Appelbaum held a meeting and told employees that it was a "tough decision" but the magazine's macro business model did not work in the current economic climate. The entire staff of approximately 40 people will be laid-off.
Some parts of R&R such as their airplay charts will be folded into Billboard and Appelbaum hinted that there are some potential deals in the works with prospective buyers to "save the brand" if not the magazine itself, MediaWeek said.
R&R was launched by Bob Wilson in 1973 and provided news and for the radio and music industries. The company expanded its product offerings to take advantage of developing technologies such as faxes and computers and staged annual seminars, conventions and awards shows.
Nielsen (Then VNU Media) acquired the R&R line in 2006. Nielsen is the parent company for Nielsen SoundScan, Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems and Billboard among others. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
