Because he still does not understand the power of Us Weekly, just its profit potential, Jann Wenner is willing to unload the tabloid, and Men’s Fitness, but reportedly wants to hang on to Rolling Stone, an ailing music title with declining circulation and ad pages. Nevermind that trying to sell Us for a rumored $750 million might be a little difficult in the middle of this credit crunch. And the fact that purported buyers, like the oh-so-reputable Conde Nast, would also find itself defending its sometimes-invented cover stories each week. [WWD]
If Graydon Carter’s nervous laughter is to be believed, Conde Nast might be buying Rolling Stone, if only to prevent another Barack Obama cover that pulls from a non-exclusive photo shoot instead of an over-styled production that puts him in a Zegna suit — with style credit. [Folio]
Is Us Weekly using its seven-figure circulation to launch a war against Hillary Clinton? That’s the charge the New York Times is alleging given all the fawning Janice Min’s tab has been doing over Barack Obama.
(The story comes two days after the Times admitted it got beat by another gossip charge, Matt Drudge, about the Prince Harry story, which the paper of record was completely in the dark about.)
Nevermind that Obama wouldn’t answer an Us reporter’s “Boxers or briefs?” question — Min & Co. totally have it in the bag for Barack, just like the rest of the media. How else to explain the tabloid’s “Just like us” treatment with the presidential hopeful; here he is buying groceries, here he is playing with babies, here he is restoring America’s good name abroad and providing health care for all Americans.
The Times‘ Richard Perez-Pena points to corporate cousin Rolling Stone, which ran an Obama feature last year but hasn’t yet covered Clinton, as evidence of potential bias.
There’s also some, uh, more concrete evidence, which Michael Calderone points to, like identifying the campaign Jann Wenner is donating to.
ROLLING PEBBLES Congrats to Jann Wenner and Matt Nye, who welcomed twins (via surrogate) into the world, joining their 1-year-old son Noah. They also just plunked down $5.8 million for the 65-acre Teviot estate in the Catskills, so expect to be sending over two gifts this month.
At long last, Ken Baker is leaving Us Weekly. In what can’t exactly be described as a surprise, he’s ending his eight-year tenure at the Wenner tabloid, which in recent years included endless gossip about ethical lapses and payola, demotions, Ryan Seacrest loving (and favoring), scandal, and yes, his departure.
In an email to colleagues, Ken writes, “I just wanted to let you all know that I was recently asked to relocate to NYC and continue my editorial director work for Us Online. As a family, however, we decided that now wasn’t a good time for a move. So, after nearly 8 amazing years on staff at Us Weekly, I am moving on to some new and exciting opportunities.”
Ken, of course, has been running UsMagazine.com since being “transitioned” away from his West Coast Editor role. So where is he off to? His email doesn’t say, and usually-knowledgeable sources close to him say they aren’t sure, either. In any event, you’re probably about nine seconds away from no longer caring, so here’s his email, after the jump. CONTINUED »
There’s nothing like a Rolling Stone cover to validate a musician’s career, or at least a competent publicist. But Britney Spears wants none of that, and has pulled out of a potential cover of the magazine.
Her reasoning: Wenner Media refused to guarantee that the shoot wouldn’t end up on the cover of Us Weekly. They pulled the same trick on Nick Lachey.
Here’s the thing, Britney. The cover of Us Weekly is a step up from the cover of In Touch. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Take opportunity where you can find it.
Despite Wenner Media communications chief Mark Neschis assuring us there “is absolutely no truth to” the rumors we heard about a special relationship between Us Weekly and Intermix, a source inside the fashion company confirms to us that select editors at the magazine do, in fact, enjoy a discount. Among them: Editor-in-chief Janice Min, who is said to rank up there with “VIPs … including people in the press and celebrities” who have the option of snagging something like 15 percent off their purchases. (That said, Janice supposedly has never shopped there.)
So what does Us have to do to earn their reward? Plug the store, of course. Which is why a recent issue that featured a quarter-page “Hot Spot: Intermix L.A” item doesn’t surprise many. Intermix calls this arrangement “a special working relationship.” CONTINUED »
We got our hands on the gritty details of Jill Ishkanian’s $55 million lawsuit against Us Weekly and her old bosses, and out of the goodness of our heart we wanted to share with you the most interesting details.
And by “most interesting” we mean “pretty much the entire thing,” ’cause it’s hilarious.
And by “hilarious,” we mean “so much fun as a spectator, not as much fun as a defendant.”
We’ve stacked the meaty parts after the jump. And fret not: We’ve bolded the most worthwhile legalese.
Jann Wenner, Janice Min, Ken Baker, and Wenner Media proper are being hit with a $55 million lawsuit today filed by former Us Weekly staffer Jill Ishkanian, we’ve learned.
In court papers being filed now-ish, Ishkanian – who left the magazine and went on to form the paparazzi agency Sunset Photo and News – alleges her former bosses went on the attack after her departure, trying to sully her reputation. Though it should have been expected: The suit alleges Janice and Ken threatened to ruin her if she ever tried to leave the magazine or encourage anyone else to do so.
Among the charges Ishkanian is claiming: “INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; NEGLIGENT TRAINING AND RETENTION; BREACH OF CONTRACT; BREACH OF THE COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING; SLANDER AND SLANDER PER SE; LIBEL AND LIBEL PER SE; INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE; CIVIL CONSPIRACY.”
As you’ll recall, after Ishkanian’s departure, Us Weekly went to the FBI alleging Jill was hacking into Us computers to gain information about celebs and their whereabouts. But as we’ve learned before, Us also intentionally left Ishkanian’s phone lines at the magazine active to collect information from sources who didn’t know she had left. They also kept Jill in the loop via email, even after repeated requests not to be included on sensitive in-house Wenner emails. CONTINUED »
• During the Bancrofts’ “not acrimonious at all” discussion regarding the potential sale of the Dow Jones corporation, “Christopher Bancroft entered the hotel wearing a ‘Bite Me’ fishing cap.” Touché.
• WSJ vet leaves paper after 22 years to join Portfolio, avoid working for Rupert Murdoch.
• Gossipy Hamptons rag Dan’s papers sold for enough money to buy a “pretty nice” house on Amagansett Lane.
• Wenner Media and Time Inc. promoted a bunch of lowly staffers who you’ve probably never heard of.
Tim Castelli has resigned from Jann Wenner’s ranks to join Google after an impressive 15 months on the job.
While the Chicago Tribune’s Nara Schoenberg takes a stab at examining the state of the magazine industry – first mistake: giving Samir “Mr. Magazine” Husni any consideration – it’s the quotes from top editors that make the piece worth reading. There’s Rolling Stone managing editors Will Dana on trends (”you can’t be bland and you can’t suck”), The Week’s EIC Bill Falk also on trends (”shorter stories”), and this one from Us Weekly’s Janice Min about influential editors: “One of the most influential editors - and I’m not just saying this because I work for him - is [Rolling Stone founder] Jann Wenner.”
On an absolutely unrelated note: How are those contract negotiations going?
Normally, we don’t feel so bad for Nat Ives. The AdAge magazine industry beatboy has a pretty decent gig, though no, perhaps not as much as Freeloader. But there are certain instances when the likable lad needs a more free-wheeling outpost.
Like today, when he broke news of Neal Boulton’s exit from Men’s Fintess. We all know Neal has been carrying on a kind of relationship with – and likely leaking about – Jann Wenner. Wenner, meanwhile, has his wife and boyfriend to think about. (Neal, also, has a wife and kids that might be of some concern.)
So when Nat read the official release – that the 2.5 year veteran EIC is leaving, after a brief leave of absence, to “to write a book and pursue his humanitarian issues, such as obesity” – you knew he had to clench his teeth, bite back any urges to throw in a “canoodling,” and settle for merely mentioning that Neal has been “subject of tabloid gossip when the New York Post’s Page Six recently claimed he had been ’spotted around town’ with Jann Wenner.”
We’re sorry, Nat. We know it can be rough out there with corporate bosses.
Jann Wenner’s circulation scheme to have Us Weekly hit its rate base comes at such an inopportune time. Well, inopportune time for him — he’s got two ill fellas to juggle. For us? It’s perfect timing to pounce on the tabloid while it’s down.
So here’s how it goes: Jann wants to bring Us‘ guaranteed circ to 1.85 million to stay competitive and/or bolster his ego. (You guess the more likely scenario.) Sadly, he doesn’t have that many real readers. So he writes a cheque to Hachette Filipacchi for the 409,000 names from Premiere magazine, which just folded, paying about $2 per name to drop them on Us’s roster. All this on the heels of a scramble to meet its previous 1.75 million rate base — a goal met by ramping up the number of “verified” copies, bringing the total to 1,751,709.
With Premiere’s readers, he’ll easily be able to hit his new target. So on to the next dilemma: Janice Min’s contract negotiations, which we hear are still on-going.
Neal Boulton is canoodilng with the competition. The Men’s Fitness (an American Media Inc. title) editor has been spotted around town with Jann Wenner (of, uh, Wenner Media), reports the Sixers, despite Jann’s long-term relationship with Matt Nye. And the fact that Neal is married, “to a woman, with kids.”
The publishing mogul claims the hug and kiss at the Time Warner Center were nothing more than affection shown toward a “friend.” But it was plenty, we imagine, to make Wenner underling and Men’s Journal editor James Kaminsky jealous. At least when James isn’t revamping the Adventure issue with breakthrough ideas like … a wine column. But perhaps he can make Jann a recommendation for his next date?
We’re heading into the long weekend giddy like a school girl. How come? Because on Tuesday, the much-talked-about Diary of a South Beach Party Girl – from former Wenner Media marketing staffer Gwen Cooper – hits bookstore shelves. Sure, the final copy we sneaked a peak at didn’t have the lurid tales of J. Lo and Chris Paciello that we were jonesing for, but in its place is 300-plus pages of what Vanessa Williams’ show South Beach should’ve looked like.
Published by Simon Spotlight Entertainment (where He’s Just Not That Into You got its start), Diary isn’t feted at its book party till April 17th, so you’ll have plenty of time to read up on Gwen Cooper Rachel Baum’s storied tale from non-profit nobody to South Beach celebrity-cum-New York literary chic.
(In the interest of full disclosure, we consider Gwen a friend.)
Just how close are Us Weekly web chief Ken Baker and American Idol host-slash-E! News managing editor-slash-On Air radio show host? “Thisclose,” in the parlance of print gossip copy.
It’s no secret the twosome have a special relationship, made public to watchful insiders after Baker (working with Us paparazzi pals Flynet) helped Seacrest set up Teri Hatcher with a documented smoochfest. But ever since Baker took over Us‘ online operations, Seacrest’s name and pictures have been popping up with the frequency of a Greg Lindsay byline.
Factor in Baker’s being a regular on Seacrest’s On Air radio show – which Ken refers to as “my radio show,” a source says – and the synergy becomes quite apparent. (Also, it’s Kick Us‘ Ass Around Day ’round these parts.)
Apparent except to, say, Us maestra Janice Min, who continues to turn a blind eye to her former No. 2’s antics, an Us insider tells us. (Min hasn’t replied to our request for comment.)
So where can we find Ryan’s free publicity popping up on UsMagazine.com? There’s the Tuesday item about Heather Mills, the Friday plug of Ryan on Us’s web video program, and the Thursday item plugging Seacrest’s radio show where news broke of Sacha Baron Cohen’s coming child. As anyone with an Internet connection could find out, the frequency of the Seacrest sightings on Us‘ website have increased since Ken took the reigns.
CONTINUED »
We rarely have much to say about Men’s Journal, and that’s for a couple reasons: 1) It’s not Men’s Health; 2) It’s edited by Jann Wenner. Okay, Reason No. 2 should actually give us plenty reason to gab, so maybe it’s just the single rationale.
But alas, someone with enough time to pour over Audit Bureau of Circulation data files a report with us that says Men’s Journal’s numbers dropped by 26 percent on the newsstand in ‘06. While total circ was 710k, 92,000 of that were “public placed.” Sans those numbers, the book was actually 12 percent below the 700k rate base. Sounds like some make goods are in order.
What People always thought it was, TMZ is. Breaking stories the moment they happen. Inundating readers with enough photo and video clips and montages to make Madonna’s concert opener jealous. Bringing the world more Harvey Levin. (Okay, so perhaps People never had that in mind.)
So it makes sense, then, that the tabloid magazines are wising up to this Internet craze and realizing, “Hey, they’re stealing our readers! We should do something about that! Oh, what, there are no glossy pages? Well, maybe next year.”
Star tried going bloggy in print, and you saw the field day of punchlines that incident caused. But now Wenner Media’s Us Weekly is teaming up with Veoh – the video sharing site that isn’t YouTube – to create its own celebrity channel.
That the deal also reunites Us-owner Jann Wenner and former-Us-investor-and-current-Veoh-moneybag Michael Eisner is, unto itself, just thrilling. We’re nearly at Defcon 5 here, people.
Meanwhile, the new video channel launches next month and, according to whatever press release they’re issuing, will of course amount to more than just a random smattering of Splash News paparazzi clips and sixth-graders lip-syncing to “Stars Are Blind.” So in tune with You and Your needs and Your wants and Your desires, Us and Veoh are going to let the average person upload a celebrity-related clip to their channel.
According to Janice Min, the editor in chief of Us Weekly, Usmagazine.com and its Veoh channel will aim at a specific demographic group, rather than trying to directly challenge powerful online establishments like YouTube and TMZ.
“We’re the only celebrity Web site that really speaks to a very specific audience of women in their 20s and 30s,” she said. “As more competitors and the Internet cover celebrity, it’s only furthered the interest in celebrity. The appetite seems boundless.”
“Seems boundless?” If ever there were last words we ache to make famous, these are them.
But with all earnestness we can muster: Good luck with your little vlogging experiment!
Because unless Wenner quickly learns how to exploit UsMagazine.com editor Noelle Hancock like ABC News Now is doing Amanda Congdon, we fear the worst.
Exclusive
What’s a little gay porn among friends? Jann Wenner apparently doesn’t have a problem with it, though, truth be told, we’re not sure whether we’d expect him to have a huge fucking problem with it or encourage all staffers to have a little homo smut on their resume. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Word arrived at Jossip HQ that frequent Jossip HQ punching bag (Us Weekly) could give Jossip HQ watercooler chatters more to talk about than Kitson lawsuits and publicist intimidation. Turns out, Us‘ newest high profile hire – Martha Flores, West Coast news director, working under West Coast exec editor Ken Baker – has a history in the fudge packing biz.
From what we understand, while Martha was still at the Los Angeles Times she put some money into Male Box DVD (NSFW), to help launch the Netflix-esque DVD delivery service that lets homos have their raunch flicks mailed to them in indiscriminate envelopes. After she left the LAT, she worked full-time at Male Box, which produces high-brow titles like Nacho Vidal In Face Fuckers, Black Hunks With White Punks, and Have Some Cannelloni, Tony. Then in the spring, Martha left the company (for reasons unknown), relaxed over the summer, then took up the job hunt in the fall — before finally landing, ahem, under Baker.
So are we about to start a major scan-dal? Unfortunately not. We hear Us Weekly was well aware of Martha’s past. She even put her DVD days on her resume, and all parties involved had quite a nice chat about her background in making sure all of West Hollywood was stocked with their fetish films.
So no, no manpussy out of the bag — just an opportunity to prove we’re mature by not putting “gay porn peddler” in the headline. Let’s just chalk this one up to Wenner Media encouraging a, uh, a diverse workplace.
Editorial Director
