Status, the media newsletter founded by former CNN reporter Oliver Darcy, is bolstering its editorial team with two well-known names from Vanity Fair and The Wrap.
Brian Lowry, who spent years at Variety, CNN, and most recently served as media editor at The Wrap, will join as Hollywood correspondent and editor. He’ll also take the lead on a new Friday edition of the newsletter and contribute film and TV reviews. Natalie Korach, most recently at Vanity Fair, will serve as media correspondent and anchor two of Status’ daily installments. The hires join editor Jon Passantino, who came aboard earlier this year.
“Brian is one of the most respected voices in all Hollywood,” Darcy told The Hollywood Reporter. “Entertainment conglomerates own many of the nation’s newsrooms and late-night shows, so Hollywood is central to the broader story we’re telling at Status.”
Darcy was equally bullish on Korach. “Natalie has proven herself as a strong reporter with the ability to dig behind the scenes and write deeply reported features,” he said. “She’ll strengthen both our daily news and long-form work.”
The expansion allows Status to shift to seven-day publishing. Korach says she looks forward to offering readers deeper perspective on “the forces shaping the business and our culture,” while Lowry called reuniting with Darcy and Passantino “too good an opportunity to pass up.”
On the business side, Darcy has enlisted former Deadline chief revenue officer Stacey Farish to build advertising and sponsorships. The company has also launched a video podcast, Power Lines.
For Darcy, the moves reflect a larger mission. “We’re not owned by billionaires; we’re accountable to readers,” he said. “That gives us the freedom to be tough in our coverage and deliver accountability journalism at a critical time.”
