Exclusive

Continuing the trend of "November Is Exiting Editors Month," we hear Life & Style – the Bauer publication that's tearing up the newsstand like sister tabloid In Touch Weekly – has just dismissed editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum. Like, an hour ago. And it appears it was the dramatic exit you've come to love: Debra, who took the EIC gig in March, was given the news just moments ago and, an insider tells us, "is no longer in the building." (Is that why she's not returning our emails?) While we await word as to whether her exit from Englewood Cliffs included a security escort, it's time to brush up on her replacement.

Bauer is hiring from the inside, lifting Mark Pasetsky from his title as the tabloid's general manager to the EIC slot. Mark had been with the magazine since the beginning and, we're told, held a heavy hand in cover stories and copy, as well as general story selection. Mark takes some credit for contributing to L&S's original concept of combining celebrity and fashion.

So why oust Debra and put Mark in charge? Because Bauer wants to make Life & Style "the style bible," one tattler tells us. Debra wasn't up for the job, says our source, in that she was more focused on breaking celebrity news than devoting copy to celeb style.

Most magazines would choose to deliver this news on Thanksgiving Eve. How classy of Bauer to let Birnbaum enjoy her Thanksgiving holiday in Long Island before sending her to the guillotine.

Update: The full memo, after the jump.

BAUER PUBLISHING NAMES MARK PASETSKY

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF LIFE & STYLE WEEKLY

Englewood Cliffs, NJ (November 28, 2006) – Bauer Publishing today named Mark Pasetsky editor-in-chief of Life & Style Weekly, the fastest growing magazine on the newsstand. The announcement was made today by Hubert Boehle, CEO, Bauer Publishing. Pasetsky replaces Debra Birnbaum who is leaving the company.

Pasetsky joined Bauer Publishing in 2003 as general manager of Life & Style. In his three years at Life & Style, Pasetsky has been instrumental in shaping its newsstand profile and its cover choices. He has also been responsible for managing the magazine’s daily business affairs. Prior to joining Bauer, Pasetsky was the founder and president of Mark Allen & Company, which provided counsel to leading entertainment companies including Bauer’s In Touch Weekly, MTV Networks, Infinity Broadcasting, and others. Previously, Pasetsky served as vice president of communications for MTV Networks' Internet divisions.

“Mark and I worked very closely in developing the original prototype for Life & Style,” said Boehle, “Mark’s intuitive understanding of the magazine’s style mission coupled with his unique media and Internet background makes him the ideal leader for the magazine.”

“In his new role, Mark will build on Life & Style’s current success and reputation by bolstering the magazine’s style coverage and continue to deliver breaking celebrity news. This dedication to celebrity lifestyle news is what defines Life & Style as the “style weekly,” which is the key to the magazine’s long-term success,” Boehle continued.

“Our goals are straightforward. We want to further differentiate Life & Style with our unparalleled celebrity style coverage. We have an incredibly talented team in place and I’m looking forward to working with them to deliver the most stylish weekly magazine with compelling celebrity news stories,” said Pasetsky. “We are also developing new platforms for Life & Style’s content – from online to mobile to ecommerce.”

Pasetsky began his career in the publicity department at WUSA TV, the CBS Washington D.C. affiliate. Pasetsky is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned a B.A. in Journalism.

Life & Style Weekly is the fastest growing newsstand magazine in the country according to the 2006 ABC FAS-FAX report. Life & Style delivers the biggest celebrity news stories combined with the hottest celebrity fashion, beauty and lifestyle news. The magazine offers readers a variety of insider shopping tips to look and live like their favorite stars. For more information, visit lifeandstylemag.com.