The exodus of top Variety talent continues.
Veteran trade reporter Dana Harris has been named indieWIRE‘s new editor-in-chief. Harris has worked for the last decade at Variety, where she most recently served as editor, strategic projects. She replaces Eugene Hernandez, who left the position in late October nearly 15 years after he co-founded the publication.
Faced with declining ad revenue, Variety has lost several key staffers over the past year either through lay-offs or poaching. Among those who have exited the embattled trade for rival publications are Mike Fleming (Deadline), Ben Fritz (the Los Angeles Times), and Todd McCarthy (the Hollywood Reporter).
Harris will begin her new gig on January 1, 2011. She will be based in Los Angeles, while managing editor Brian Brooks will be based in New York.
Harris joined Variety in 2000 and spent three years as the editor of Variety.com and also created the entertainment publication’s lifestyle section, Variety Weekend. Prior to that, she was a film reporter and feature writer.
Most recently, she was tasked with developing content strategies for the trade.
Harris’ career also includes stints as a film reporter for The Hollywood Reporter in Los Angeles and as managing editor for The Independent Film and Video Monthly in New York.
