Headlines do not need to be mercilessly short. They may be however long it takes to get the point. What is the harm in writing:
Steve Jobs’ widow Laurene Powell acquires The Atlantic
?
Laurene Powell (Steve Jobs’ widow) acquires The Atlantic
?
or better yet
Laurene Powell Jobs acquires The Atlantic
Because that IS her name. I mean, people who bother reading the Atlantic are able to make the mental leap that she’s Steve Jobs’ widow. Or discover it in the course of reading the article. And even then, WGAF, because she’s herself and what has this to do with Steve Jobs? Really, saying “Steve Jobs’ widow just took over @TheAtlantic” is clickier ? I challenge that assumption. Have they tested it and have facts to back it up? They have not. There is no basis for this alternate reality.
