At a Glance
- Maria Mercedes Lara has over 15 years of experience in digital news and joined People in 2015.
- She currently leads digital content operations, managing the homepage, newsletter, and alerts programs.
- Her career spans roles at POPSUGAR, SpinMedia Group, Jezebel, and Wetpaint Entertainment before moving to People.
Why it matters: Her leadership shapes the way People delivers celebrity and pop-culture stories to a wide audience.
Maria Mercedes Lara is a seasoned digital editor who has spent more than a decade and a half shaping online entertainment news. She joined the People team in 2015 and now serves as the Senior Director of Digital Content Operations, overseeing the brand’s homepage, newsletter, and alerts programs. Her work ensures that People’s digital content remains timely, engaging, and accessible to millions of readers.
Early Career and Editorial Foundations
Before stepping into a leadership role at People, Maria Mercedes built a solid editorial foundation at several well-known digital outlets. She began her career covering celebrity and entertainment stories for POPSUGAR, a platform that focuses on pop culture and lifestyle content. Her coverage at POPSUGAR highlighted her ability to spot emerging trends and craft compelling narratives.
She then moved to Wetpaint Entertainment, where she served as an editor with a focus on television news. In this capacity, she managed story selection, coordinated with reporters, and ensured that TV coverage met the outlet’s standards for accuracy and reader interest. This role sharpened her skills in managing tight deadlines and coordinating large editorial teams.
At SpinMedia Group, Maria Mercedes worked on the staff at Celebuzz.com, covering celebrity and pop-culture news. The position required a keen eye for viral moments and the ability to translate celebrity buzz into engaging online content. Her experience at SpinMedia Group broadened her understanding of how digital audiences consume entertainment news.
Maria Mercedes also spent time at Jezebel, another prominent digital brand known for its bold voice in pop culture coverage. While the specific duties at Jezebel are not detailed, her time there added depth to her editorial repertoire and reinforced her commitment to delivering high-quality content.
Transition to People and Current Responsibilities
Maria Mercedes joined People in 2015, a year that marked a significant shift in her career from staff editor to senior leadership. In her current role as the Senior Director of Digital Content Operations, she oversees all aspects of People’s digital content workflow. Her responsibilities include managing the homepage layout, coordinating the newsletter strategy, and supervising the alerts program that keeps readers informed of breaking news.
Under her guidance, People’s digital platform has maintained a strong focus on celebrity stories while also expanding into broader human-interest topics. She works closely with writers, editors, and technologists to ensure that every piece aligns with People’s editorial standards and audience expectations. Her leadership helps People stay competitive in a fast-moving digital news landscape.
Maria Mercedes’s role also involves strategic planning for content distribution across multiple channels. She collaborates with the marketing team to optimize reach and engagement, leveraging data to refine content strategies. This data-driven approach has helped People maintain its position as a trusted source for celebrity news.
Educational Background
Maria Mercedes earned a B.A. in Literature from Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at the New School in New York City. Her academic training in literature provided a strong foundation in storytelling, critical analysis, and research-skills that have proven invaluable throughout her career in digital journalism.
The New School’s emphasis on interdisciplinary study likely contributed to Maria Mercedes’s ability to navigate diverse topics, from entertainment to lifestyle and beyond. Her literary background informs her editorial voice, allowing her to craft narratives that resonate with a broad audience.
About People and Its Mission
People, a People Inc. Brand, delivers trustworthy celebrity news and captivating human-interest stories. Since its first issue hit stands in 1974, the brand has focused on telling stories about the people behind the headlines, rather than just the headlines themselves. People aims to provide readers with insights into beauty, food, style, and the trends shaped by influential figures.
The brand’s commitment to positivity is evident in its emphasis on hope, optimism, and kindness. People seeks to inspire conversation and action by sharing stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This mission aligns with Maria Mercedes’s editorial approach, which values authenticity and human connection.
Key Takeaways
- Maria Mercedes Lara brings 15 years of editorial experience to her role at People, having worked at POPSUGAR, Wetpaint Entertainment, SpinMedia Group, and Jezebel.
- Since joining People in 2015, she has steered digital content operations, ensuring that the homepage, newsletter, and alerts programs remain engaging and timely.
- Her B.A. in Literature from Eugene Lang College equips her with a strong narrative skill set that enhances People’s storytelling.
- People’s long-standing mission to highlight human stories continues to be supported by Maria Mercedes’s editorial leadership.
These insights underscore how Maria Mercedes Lara’s career trajectory and current responsibilities contribute to People’s continued success as a leading source of celebrity and human-interest news.
