Following Ken Baker's move to head up UsMagazine.com – a transition, some might say, that was not voluntary – the West Coast chief slot has remained open. Sure, Martha Flores has been running things as news director, but where's the top slavedriver?

Enter Melanie Bromley, who's taking the reigns as West Coast bureau chief. A five year Us veteran, she arrived from the Times of London (and, ahem, News of the World).

Her first assignment? Next week's Hot Hollywood event — which, in fonder days, used to be Baker's territory.

Janice's full email to staff, after the jump.

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From: Min, Janice
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 4:03 PM
To: Us - Edit - LA; Us - Edit - NY; Us - Online; Us - Photo; Us - Art; Us - NY - Advertising
Cc: Melanie Bromley
Subject: Melanie Bromley

I'm happy to announce the appointment of Melanie Bromley to West Coast Bureau Chief. A long fixture at Us, Mel was a correspondent and editor for The Sunday Times of London, The News of the World (the largest English language newspaper in the world), Hello!, Red and Heat. In addition, Mel has edited two high-profile columns, one for Britain¹s biggest selling health and beauty magazine, Top Sante, and the other for the award-winning British glossy magazine, New Woman. More importantly, here at Us, she has been an instrumental part of the success of the magazine for five years, beginning as a stringer in LA and eventually rising to European Bureau Chief, where she ran reporting on everything from TomKat's wedding to Brangelina's two adoptions in Africa and Vietnam.

Mel comes to the position with a wealth of ideas, a drive for news and a great understanding of what makes Us special.

Her first assignment? Tackling the Hot Hollywood event next week (while finding an apartment).

Please congratulate Mel on her new position.