Updated, 12:05 p.m. ET
Bloomberg says Topolsky’s departure was amicable between he and the company.
Statements below:
Joshua Topolsky, Editor, Bloomberg Digital
“The last year at Bloomberg has been an incredible experience for me. Alongside a brilliant team, I had a chance to rebuild and reinvent what Bloomberg Media was and could be. We built something for the future that I am absurdly proud of. It’s bittersweet to admit, but my appetite for change is even larger than I expected it to be when I arrived at the company. After many discussions with Justin and John, it was clear that whatever I did next, I needed to do on my own. With nothing but love and admiration for the people I’ve had a chance to work with and to know, I know that time is right now.”
Justin B. Smith, CEO, Bloomberg Media:
“Josh did exactly what we hired him to do: we launched two new modern, innovative websites, founded our first regional site in Europe, hit traffic records, became the global leader in business digital video, nearly doubled our social traffic, and sparked digital revenue growth by double digits. Bloomberg Media is already a significantly more influential brand because of Josh. We’re very grateful for his contributions and will miss him.”
Previously
Bloomberg digital editor Joshua Topolsky was fired by Michael Bloomberg over the former New York City Mayor’s frustration with the site.
New editor-in-chief John Micklethwait also wasn’t happy with the new website, which was relaunched in January under Topolsky’s direction after the former co-founder of The Verge was hired at the end of 2014.
His departure comes after other high-profile exits from Bloomberg in recent months. Jonathan Allen and Dave Weigel have both bolted.
Politico reported Friday Bloomberg himself isn’t high on the network’s signature political stars, Mark Halperin and John Heinemann, who run Bloomberg Politics and host “With All Due Respect.” The pair both reportedly make over $1 million a piece.
Bloomberg did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment regarding Topolsky’s firing.