Penske Media continues to trim fat even in a difficult advertising sales environment. literally.
Sources told Page Six Hollywood that the media giant behind magazines such as Variety, Rolling Stone, and The Hollywood Reporter, as well as glitzy live events such as the Golden Globes, has essentially eliminated coverage of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 agonists such as Munjaro and Wigoby.
Angry staff at several Penske Birth stores say the so-called miracle drug is no longer covered by their company’s insurance and they must pay up to $1,300 a month.
A Penske Media representative insists that “no changes have been made to PMC’s health insurance plan to make Ozempic available to employees.”
However, those affected say that it is unwanted cellulite clumps.
“Insurance still covers us, but now we need prior authorization. Insurance doesn’t give prior authorization to anyone,” gasped one of the affected employees. “I wish they knew how well this would work for me and so many other people here.”
Ozempic is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes and obesity, due to its ability to lower blood sugar levels and appetite. If you don’t lose excess weight, you may develop additional health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer. The PMC staff we spoke to said the benefits of Ozempic, such as increased energy, are so obvious that they have no choice but to sacrifice costs. This can come in handy when working long hours in the Hollywood trenches.
Ironically, toiling within PMC’s portfolio, which includes everything from Billboard to the American Music Awards, requires a lot of time on the glam circuit, where everyone, including the valets, is expected to look red carpet ready.
Ozempicgate marks the latest eyebrow-raising move within a media empire that has all but strangled FYC business in the city, but appears to be cutting jobs and benefits while pursuing bizarre money-making pursuits.
Back in November, Ian Moll of Hollywood’s Page Six told luxury magazine Robb Report that tickets to the Golden Globes gala were selling for $70,000 through Concierge Gift Guide. Robb Report is also owned by Penske Media. The news comes on the heels of reports from Page Six Hollywood, The Unclerk, and Status about circulation sales on the back of the new podcast category at the Golden Globe Awards, which won for the first time in January. Luminate, a company owned by Penske, determined eligibility for the shortlist and candidates were offered FYC advertising and a paid marketing partnership with the PMC brand.
(Full disclosure: I previously worked at Variety, Rolling Stone, and The Hollywood Reporter.)
People who are currently making difficult choices between contributing to a 401k and buying prescriptions at full cost say they just want PMC to do the right thing.
One of the exhausted staff members says, “Please return Ozempic.”
