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News
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1. NY Post
Wenner a Loser; Execs Go
By Keith J. Kelly
11/1/05
http://www.nypost.com/business/30440.htm
Wenner Media was rocked yesterday by its third executive departure in recent weeks as Men's Journal Publisher Carlos La Madrid jumped ship to head Fairchild Publications' Jane.

The brass at Fairchild, which is now under the Conde Nast umbrella, is looking to shore up the title, jump start circulation and reverse an ad slide that began when founder Jane Pratt said in September that she was leaving the magazine she founded, after eight years at the helm.

"I'm sort of known as a turnaround specialist," said La Madrid, who spent three years at Wenner. "Frankly, I'm looking for another challenge."

2. Folio
Reader's Digest CEO to Retire
By Dylan Stableford
10/31/05
http://www.foliomag.com/index.php?id=396&backPID=392&tt_news=1352
Reader??™s Digest chairman and CEO Tom Ryder announced today that he will retire at the end of the year and will be succeeded by Eric W. Schrier, global editor-in-chief and president of RD North America.

The announcement comes after what was characterized as a ???thoughtful??? nine-month selection process by the board of directors for Ryder??™s successor. Ryder had made it clear of his wish to retire after a seven-year run when his contract was amended in 2004. Ryder recently completed his term as chairman of the Magazine Publishers of America.

Ryder's stint at RD included the company's largest-ever acquisition, the $760 million purchase of Reiman Publications. Schrier joined Reader??™s Digest in 2000 after a 10-year stint at Time Inc.

3. Media Industry Newsletter
11/1/05
http://www.minonline.com/mb_topstory.htm
Pre-Partum Britney Spears ???Bursts??? the October ???Elle??™s??? Newstand We are told by Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. senior vp/consumer marketing Dave Leck-ey's office that Spears's "showing" will produce the best October single-copy numbers (specifics to come) in Elle's 21-year U.S. history. Editor-in-chief Robbie Myers's timing was excellent, as Spears's September 15 delivery occurred just after the issue's release. We will also find out whether the surge for Spears was sizeable enough for the October Elle to overtake September's usual best-selling "Fall Preview." Cover was Jennifer Lopez, who herself has had no shortage of pregnancy rumors.

???Maxim???-Um Profit for Felix Dennis in the U.K. Comes from ???The Week??? The news-magazine's image in the U.S. is that of a "trophy" for Dennis and Dennis Publishing U.S. president Steve Colvin next to the bawdy (and moneymaking) Maxim and soulmates Stuff / Blender (see page 10). But The Week U.S. president Justin Smith (came over from The Economist shortly after TW's April 2001 launch) tells min that "over there," it makes the most money for Dennis. Given Maxim's success here (in the U.K. it trails FHM in market share), The Week's overtaking it is a longshot, but there is progression. Ad pages, through September are +16.78% (388.98/2005 versus 333.08/2004, per PIB), and its 300,000 rate base rises to 400,000 in January.

???Radar??? is Detecting More Women, But Advertisers Don??™t Know It Dilemma for founder (April 2004) Maer Roshan and publisher (since May 2005) Grayle Howlett is the perception that Radar is a men's magazine. "Maybe it's the name, with Radar's 12-o'Clock-High connotation to war movies," says Howlett. "Or, maybe it's because we are lumped with men's-magazine Giant, which launched almost concurrently. But our 150,000 circulation is 55% female, and Radar, with roots in Talk [Roshan was Tina Brown's editorial director] is a magazine with intelligent humor that resonates with women." Further irony is that Howlett is trying to build the automotive/consumer electronics, which are typically male-dominant, though, as he says, "Women are increasingly making the decisions."

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Whisper Jobs
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Ed hears. . .

. . .that Shecky's is looking for local editors in Atlanta, Boston, LA, San Francisco, and Chicago. Shecky??™s, a media and lifestyle company based in New York City, is expanding to 5 NEW CITIES (LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta) and is looking for a witty, savvy, plugged-in freelance local editor in each city to work with our NYC editors; be in constant contact with local PR firms; scope out new trends, restaurants, shops, spas, and lounges; generate editorial content and write articles in Shecky??™s witty style; and ensure that our site is accurate and up-to-date. The ideal candidate will have lived in the area for at least two years, have established local PR contacts, be very familiar with the newest, hottest, and upcoming hotspots, own or have access to a car, be outgoing, and overall have their finger on the pulse when it comes to local nightlife, shopping, beauty, and events. Having your own computer with Internet access is a must. Editors will be paid a monthly stipend of $500 (non-negotiable). The hours are very flexible, making this an ideal and fun side job for freelance writers and editors. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter demonstrating your expertise in the body of an e-mail, along with a short (preferably funny) writing sample. No attachments, please. Please put the name of the city you are applying for in the subject of the e-mail. Applications for Atlanta & Boston should be e-mailed to erin@sheckys.com. Applications for Chicago, San Francisco, and LA should be e-mailed to bri@sheckys.com. Please NO PHONE CALLS. (OK to mention Ed)

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