THR, ESQ calls it quits

The Hollywood Reporter's legal site gives up the ghost as a standalone publication effective, well, immediately. Coverage of Hollywood's legal movers and issues will become a "dedicated channel" on THR.com, according to the internal email.

To: The Hollywood Reporter Staff
Senior Leadership
From: John Kilcullen and Linda McCutcheon
Date: August 20, 2007
Re: The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ.

In an effort to focus our resources on the areas of our businesses with the greatest potential for audience and revenue growth, and after a thorough analysis of our customers’ needs, we have decided The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. will cease publication as a standalone product, effective today. Moving forward, THR, ESQ. content will now be integrated into THR.com as a dedicated channel continuing to serve the information needs of the media and entertainment law community, while also broadening the content distribution to THR.com’s expanding audience. This move will allow us to provide a more robust service on THR.com, strengthen the depth and breadth of its content, and increase its audience reach. It will also combine the most important news and information on entertainment and media law with THR.com’s signature breaking news, timely features and in-depth analysis of the entertainment industry. Additionally, it will enable us to invest further resources in future initiatives and enhance our existing assets. To help ensure the continuity of this product, we are pleased to announce that Matt Belloni, Editor of THR, ESQ., will join Scott McKenzie’s editorial staff in the Digital Media group, providing a seamless content integration of the two products.

We extend our sincere thanks the entire ESQ. team for their dedication and hard work. Please join us in wishing them the best in the future.

They made it just over a year. No word yet on the other staffers.