Golden Globes and Variety owner Penske Media infuriates staff by cutting their access to Ozempic

Amid a challenging ad-sales landscape, Penske Media is continuing to trim the fat. Literally.

Sources tell Page Six Hollywood that the media giant behind such magazines as Variety, Rolling Stone and The Hollywood Reporter as well as glamorous live events like the Golden Globes has essentially eliminated coverage of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 agonists like Mounjaro and Wegovy.

Angry staffers who work at multiple outlets across the Penske-verse tell us that their company insurance no longer covers the so-called miracle drugs, leaving them to shell out as much as $1,300 a month.

“No changes have been made to PMC’s health coverage for Ozempic use for employees,” a Penske Media rep insists.

But those affected say that’s a load of unwanted cellulite. 

“They are still covering it, but now you have to get prior authorization, and the insurance isn’t giving anyone prior authorization,” huffs one impacted employee. “I wish they knew how well this works for me and so many other people here.”

Ozempic is used to treat a variety of medical conditions including type 2 diabetes and obesity given its success with reducing blood sugar and appetite. Failure to shed excess weight can lead to additional health problems, namely cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer. PMC staffers we talked to say they have no choice but to eat the cost because the benefits of Ozempic are so palpable, including increased energy — something that might come in handy when working long hours in the Hollywood trenches. 

Ironically, toiling inside the PMC portfolio — which also encompasses everything from Billboard to the American Music Awards, requires plenty of time on the glam circuit, where everyone including the valet is expected to look red carpet ready.

Ozempic-gate marks the latest eyebrow-raising move inside the media empire that has a near stranglehold on the FYC business in town, but appears to be slashing jobs and benefits while pursuing odd moneymaking hustles.

Back in November, Page Six Hollywood’s Ian Mohr told you about tickets being sold to the Golden Globes gala for $70,000 via a concierge gift guide in luxury mag Robb Report. Robb Report also is owned by Penske Media. (The offer was pulled offline after the report.) That news came on the heels of reports in Page Six Hollywood, The Ankler and Status about a circular sell against the backdrop of the new Golden Globes podcast category, awarded for the first time in January. A Penske-owned company, Luminate, determined eligibility for the shortlist of nominees, who were then offered FYC ads and paid marketing partnerships in PMC brands.

(Full disclosure: I previously worked at Variety, Rolling Stone and The Hollywood Reporter.)

Those now making tough choices like whether to contribute to a 401k or buy a prescription at full cost say they just want PMC to do the right thing.

Says one weary staffer: “Just give us back our Ozempic.”