PC World Brings Editor Back, Removes CEO

In a surprise reversal, IDG management removed Colin Crawford as PC World's CEO and reinstated Harry McCracken as Editor in Chief, after a dispute over a canceled Apple story led McCracken to quit. A memo just sent to PC World and Macworld staffers by IDG president Bob Carrigan states that McCracken "has decided to remain with PC World."

Crawford, meanwhile, is being kicked back upstairs, assigned to "driving IDG's online strategy and initiatives" -- a nice, safe, strategic role where he can't do any more harm to the company's editorial reputation.

It's good to see the IDG bosses standing behind principled editorial, even if it is a fluffy piece of Digg bait. It's even better to see a stand-up guy like McCracken keeping his job, while the shill takes a hike.

Continue reading for Carrigan's memo. Background is here, here, and here.

UPDATE: Kim Zetter interviews McCracken for the back story: PC World Editor Assured of Autonomy

I am very pleased to tell you about two important staff changes. Harry
McCracken has decided to remain with PC World as vice president,
editor-in-chief. Colin Crawford will be rejoining the IDG management team
as executive vice president, online. In this role, he will be responsible
for driving IDG's online strategy and initiatives in support of our
web-centric business focus.

Harry says, "I'm thrilled to be back with the PC World team. IDG is a
company I've loved working for over the past 16 years, and one with a
remarkable history of enabling editors to serve our customers--the millions
of people who depend on our content online and in print."

Colin has been very successful in helping set online strategy and
communicate it both inside and outside IDG. As he told me, "I am glad to
return to a position where I can raise our profile and contribute to the
exciting transformation of our company around the world."

We will conduct a search for a new CEO to lead PC World and Macworld.

I have tremendous confidence in the teams at PC World and Macworld, who
have accomplished great things and who will continue to grow these leading
IDG brands.

Bob Carrigan