Two big defections to Variety

Nikki Finke reports that THR's Cynthia Littleton and Anne Thompson are jumping to Variety. Littleton, who had been editor of the trade pub, becomes deputy editor for news development at Variety (which apparently involves writing a column), while columnist Thompson becomes deputy editor of Variety.com (and will continue writing a column). Finke is calling it a "death rattle" at THR and notes that Reporter owner VNU was bought a year ago by a bunch of private equity guys, including Blackstone Group and Carlyle Group. There have been cuts at VNU's other publications, including Billboard.