Deadline Co-Editor-In-Chief Mike Fleming Jr. Transitioning To Editor-At-Large; Nellie Andreeva Named Editor-In-Chief
Deadline announced Wednesday that Mike Fleming Jr., the entertainment news site’s longtime Co-Editor-In-Chief and head of the film department, will be transitioning to a new role as the brand’s Editor-at-Large, marking the next chapter in his extraordinary career.
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline’s current Co-Editor-In-Chief and head of the TV department, has been named sole Editor-in-Chief. She will have full oversight of the newsroom and day-to-day editorial operations across the site’s divisions in Los Angeles, New York and London.
In his new position, Fleming will leverage his relationships and expertise as one of the industry’s most prominent news-breakers to continue shaping Deadline’s influence within the entertainment world.
Andreas Wiseman, Executive Editor of International and Strategy, and Anthony D’Alessandro, Editorial Director, along with Justin Kroll, Deadline’s Film Editor, will continue in their roles overseeing the news site’s prominent film coverage.
“Mike’s contributions to Deadline and his influence on the industry are immeasurable,” said Jay Penske, Chairman and CEO of Penske Media Corporation. “His deep industry access, grit, and passion for Deadline have helped solidify its position as the industry’s leading breaking news outlet. I know he will continue to have great impact on Deadline’s bright future.”
Said Andreeva: “It’s been an honor to lead Deadline’s top-notch editorial team alongside Mike for the past 12 years. I’m happy that his voice will continue to be part of the fabric of Deadline as we remain focused on journalistic excellence and breaking big Hollywood stories.”
Fleming and Andreeva were part of the original editorial team at Deadline alongside founder Nikki Finke, joining in early 2010 after the site’s acquisition by Penske Media Corporation predecessor MMC. They were later named Co-Editors-In-Chief following Finke’s departure in 2013.
Before joining Deadline, Fleming spent 20 years at Variety as a reporter, writer and columnist.
“16 years ago, almost to the day, I shook hands with Jay Penske on a Sunday night at Scalinatella on East 61st Street and ended a 20-year run at Variety,” Fleming said. “A lifelong print reporter joined the digital age, and the following morning, I found out Sam Raimi had scrapped Spider-Man 4. I broke the story with founder Nikki Finke and was stunned by Deadline’s reach when 826 comments rolled in.
“The business was changing, and Deadline became a game changer for the business. We became the primary way that Hollywood got its news, and Deadline established itself as an industry dominant. We had a lot of fun building a culture that felt a lot like a family. After nearly 40 years breaking stories and writing profiles of top actors and filmmakers from my Long Island home, I am stepping back to allow the great team at Deadline to step forward.
“I am writing a nonfiction book that will take me through the spring, but what we’ve built here at Deadline is my legacy. Rest assured, stepping back does not mean stepping away. I will continue to drop the big scoop and long-form pieces and do whatever is required to keep this great brand on top. I’m grateful to Jay and PMC that after chasing scoops so long, I can spend more time chasing grandkids.”
Andreeva, meanwhile, brought a decade of experience from The Hollywood Reporter, where she served as TV Editor before joining Deadline.
“Nellie is one of the hardest working journalists I’ve ever known,” Penske said. “She is uniquely talented, skilled and sharp and with her continued leadership as Editor-in-Chief, I know she will propel Deadline to even greater heights ensuring they remain the go-to source for Hollywood news.”
