Penske Media Slashes Staff Access to Ozempic, Sparking Outrage Among Golden Globes, Variety Teams

In the midst of a difficult advertising sales environment, Penske Media is making cuts. And these cuts are quite literal.

Insiders at Page Six Hollywood have revealed that the powerhouse behind well-known publications such as Variety, Rolling Stone, and The Hollywood Reporter, as well as high-profile events like the Golden Globes, has drastically cut back on coverage of Ozempic and other similar GLP-1 agonists like Mounjaro and Wegovy.

Frustrated employees from various Penske-owned media outlets have shared that their employer-provided health insurance no longer covers these so-called wonder drugs, leaving them facing out-of-pocket costs up to $1,300 each month.

A representative from Penske Media claims, “There have been no changes to PMC’s health coverage regarding Ozempic for our employees.”

However, those impacted are calling this statement misleading. “They claim it’s still covered, but now they require prior authorization, which the insurance practically never approves,” vented one affected worker. “I wish they understood how effective this has been for myself and many others here.”

Ozempic is primarily prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity due to its ability to lower blood sugar and reduce appetite. Without managing obesity, individuals are at an increased risk of developing further health issues, such as heart disease and certain cancers. PMC employees argue that they have no choice but to absorb these costs because the benefits of Ozempic, including boosted energy levels, are too significant to ignore—especially given the long hours demanded by jobs in the entertainment industry.

Adding to the irony, working within the PMC portfolio, which includes names like Billboard and the American Music Awards, requires constant presence in glamorous settings where everyone, down to the parking attendants, is expected to maintain a red-carpet appearance.

The controversy surrounding Ozempic is just the latest in a series of questionable decisions within this dominating media conglomerate, known for its tight grip on the “For Your Consideration” (FYC) advertising in Hollywood. This comes amid reports of job and benefit cuts alongside peculiar revenue-generating schemes.

Last November, Page Six Hollywood’s Ian Mohr reported on tickets to the Golden Globes gala being sold for $70,000 through a concierge gift guide in the luxury magazine Robb Report, which is also owned by Penske Media. This listing was withdrawn after the expose. This incident followed reports from Page Six Hollywood, The Ankler, and Status about a new Golden Globes podcast category. It was the first year this category was included, and a Penske-owned company, Luminate, was responsible for determining the nominees’ eligibility. These nominees were then offered FYC ads and paid marketing partnerships across PMC brands.

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

Employees now facing difficult financial decisions, such as whether to fund a 401k or purchase medications at full price, are simply asking PMC to act responsibly.

One exhausted employee stated, “Just give us back our Ozempic.”