Firebrand writer tapped to bring Gawker back from the dead

Bustle Digital Group has hired a firebrand writer from Gawker’s past to lead its third effort at resurrecting the snarky gossip site it picked up at a bankruptcy auction nearly three years ago.

Bustle had little to say on the effort except to confirm it hired Leah Finnegan as editor-in-chief, first mentioned as a one liner in Ben Smith’s media column in the New York Times earlier this week. Bustle also confirmed the launch efforts but declined to discuss timing, editorial mission or staffing plans.