Business Journals Charging for ‘People on the Move’ Listings

In another sign of the changing media landscape, the Baltimore and Washington Business Journal “People on the Move” sections — the go-to publicity sources for PR teams to announce new hires and promotions — is no longer “free.”

In a “Dear Colleague” letter sent to communicators, Washington Business Journal Market President & Publisher James MacGregor announced that the section will now charge $350 for each listing. The Baltimore Business Journal and Philadelphia Business Journal also charge for listings, both cities at $250 per submission.

Here is the announcement from MacGregor:

Dear colleague,

As a user of our People on the Move section, I want to let you know about an important update. Beginning today, in an effort to bring you a better product, People on the Move listings will now be a paid product at $350 each.

This fee will cover an expanded profile in print which will run even sooner – within 30 days of purchase, in addition to an online listing.

This new paid platform will also allow your promotions, new hires and business achievements to get more of the recognition they deserve, with additional promotion to the influential Washington business community.