Hearst vs SHUEISHA

Juliana Stock Named President of Hearst Magazines; Debi Chirichella Named Chair of Hearst Magazines

Hearst has named Juliana Stock, previously president of marketing and digital at A+E Global Media, as the new president of Hearst Magazines, effective January 1, 2027. Debi Chirichella, who has led Hearst Magazines as president since 2020, will transition into the role of chair of the group. Both executives will report to Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz and EVP/COO Jordan Wertlieb.

• Juliana Stock is appointed president of Hearst Magazines, effective January 1, 2027.
• Debi Chirichella transitions from president to chair of Hearst Magazines after leading the division since 2020.
• Both Stock and Chirichella will report directly to Hearst CEO Steven R. Swartz and COO Jordan Wertlieb.

Optable Launches Agentic Marketplace to Automate Direct Ad Deals

Optable unveiled its Agentic Marketplace at Optable Connect 2026 in New York City on October 8. The platform connects buyer and seller AI agents to automate discovery, packaging, and purchasing of publisher inventory. It aims to combine programmatic scalability with the customization of direct deals while reducing intermediary fees. According to eMarketer data, approximately 41% of US RTB digital display spending goes to programmatic fees in 2026. Optable will not charge transaction or activation fees for direct contracts, offering a paid service option for advanced features. The market for agentic media buying is projected to grow from $100 million in 2026 to $29.5 billion by 2028. Executives from Goodway Group, Mediavine, and Hearst discussed the potential and current limitations of agentic advertising.

• Optable launched its Agentic Marketplace on October 8, 2026 at Optable Connect 2026 in New York City.
• The platform connects buyer and seller AI agents to automate discovery, packaging, and purchasing of publisher inventory.
• eMarketer data presented indicates approximately 41% of US RTB digital display spending goes to programmatic fees in 2026.

Joseph F. D’Angelo, Former Chairman and President of Hearst’s King Features Syndicate, Dies at 96

Joseph F. D’Angelo, former chairman and president of Hearst’s King Features Syndicate, passed away on October 13, 2026, at the age of 96 in Palm Harbor, Florida. D’Angelo joined King Features in 1965, served as president from 1973 to 1997, and became chairman until his retirement in 1998. During his leadership, he transformed the business into the world's largest newspaper syndicate via major acquisitions such as the Cowles and North America syndicates.

• Joseph F. D’Angelo passed away on October 13, 2026, at age 96 in Palm Harbor, Florida.
• D’Angelo served as president of King Features Syndicate from 1973 to 1997 and as chairman until his retirement in 1998.
• He oversaw the acquisitions of the Cowles and North America syndicates in the 1980s, making King Features the largest newspaper syndicate globally.

Kagurabachi Anime World Tour Part 2 Announced for 2026

The anime adaptation of Kagurabachi, based on the manga by Takeru Hokazono, will continue its global promotional tour with Part 2 of the Anime World Tour. Starting in September 2026, the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 will be screened at Comic Con Africa in Johannesburg and PAX Aus in Melbourne, with panel sessions featuring producer Kenta Suzuki. The tour follows the success of Part 1, which began at Anime Expo in July 2026 and included stops in Paris, Mannheim, Washington D.C., and New York. The anime is produced by Cypic, a CyberAgent group company, with broadcast and streaming scheduled for April 2027 on platforms including Crunchyroll, MUSE, and SMG HOLDINGS.

• Anime World Tour Part 2 includes screenings at Comic Con Africa (Sept 27, 2026) and PAX Aus (Oct 11, 2026).
• Part 1 of the tour had screenings at Anime Expo, Japan Expo, AnimagiC, Otakon, and Anime NYC in 2026.
• Production is led by animation studio Cypic, part of the CyberAgent group.

Shueisha authors receive Honda Yasuharu Nonfiction Award and Shimase Ren'ai Literature Award

Two Shueisha-published books have won major literary awards: '炎と水 中村哲と名もなき人たちの旅' by Junichiro Yamaoka won the 48th Kodansha Honda Yasuharu Nonfiction Award, and '女王様の電話番' by Yu Watanabe won the 32nd Shimase Ren'ai Literature Award.