THR publisher ankles (* updated)

A newsroom source says the staff will be gathered shortly to be told that The Hollywood Reporter publisher Tony Uphoff is out and will be replaced by someone from Billboard. No official confirmation yet.

Also moving: Sports talk host Petro Papadakis, according to a blog report picked up at SoCal Sports Observed.

* Update: THR memo circulated this afternoon:

TO: All VNU Business Media Employees
FROM: Bob Krakoff
DATE: 10 October 2006
RE: Management Changes

I would like to announce two important changes in our executive team. Tony Uphoff, President of the Film and Performing Arts Group and Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, is leaving VNU Business Media to return to CMP as President of the Business Technology Group. He has been a valuable member of the Business Media Management Group and has been instrumental in leading the transition of The Hollywood Reporter from print to digital including products offering information and data. Tony will be leaving on October 17th.

At the same time I am pleased to announce that John Kilcullen, President of the Music, Literary & Jewelry Group and Publisher of Billboard, has been promoted to President of the Film and Performing Arts Group and Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter. He will lead both groups. John and his family will relocate to Los Angeles and he will assume his new responsibilities there immediately. We are fortunate to have such a skilled executive, and one with directly related experience, to undertake this role.

Rest is at FishbowlNY.