Publisher change at Variety

Charlie Koones, who has overseen lots of changes at the trade paper - online, special issues, acquisitions, a NY edition - is stepping down to try his hand as an entrepreneur. He's being replaced by Neil Stiles, who is currently division managing director for British-based Reed Business Information (Reed is Variety's parent). This morning's post on the Variety Web site says the usual nice things about both guys. Koones is 45 and has been at Variety for 17 years, which might be reason enough for making the move. Reed CEO Tad Smith, said “Charlie has been a great friend to the industry, to Variety, and to me, and we will all miss him and support him in his new life adventure.”