Though relatively successful compared to most magazines right now (and by "relatively successful," these days one needs to merely tread water, non?) New York magazine finally had to give up the ghost and start responding to the shitty economy today, laying off anywhere from 5 to 12 employees in the last 24 hours. Now New York's Intelligencer section will be consumed by the Daily Intel blog.
But you won't find anyone stealing staplers or perfecting their "fuck off" letters to their former employers: According to Jesse Oxfeld, one of the writers who got the axe, editor Adam Moss is being "totally menschy" during the entire process. Unfortunately, one would think that having your boss be a totally stand-up guy would make the process harder, not easier. Well, as long as Vulture is still around, we'll still be happy.
The annual Magazine Publishers of America Conference dropped 14% in attendance, which is no surprise seeing as how there is 50% less magazines out now then a year ago, and only 25% of last year's staff left (all except that first number are made up figures). Adam Moss' New York cover of Eliot Spitzer with his brain in his dorkle won Best Cover, but what people will really be talking about (besides the fact that Ah-nuld showed up to bemoan the state of things), is the San Francisco summit's lack of VIP treatment for important editors:
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At last night's National Magazine Awards, where the industry's top editors get all "snazzed up" and hope to walk away with an elephant-ish award, it wasn't so much about who won the awards – National Geographic, Vanity Fair, Back-frickin'-packer – but who didn't. Namely, Adam Moss' New York, which last year cleaned up the ceremony with five Ellies; this year, he took home only one, for "Leisure Interests." Even his foodie blog, the excellent Grub Street, got snubbed.
No matter though, since it'll all be a distant memory until this time next year, especially when the night included Annie Liebowitz, whose Hollywood issue photos gave VF a win in "Photo Portfolio," ducking questions about Miley Cyrus during the cocktail hour, to one particularly interesting scenario in the men's bathroom at the Jazz at Lincoln Center event. CONTINUED »
At left, the New York Times' treatment of Holly Peterson's new book The Manny. At right, New York's treatment. For some reason, we just figured Adam Moss' version would be the one to involve a shirtless hottie being rubbed down.
Last week, Adam Moss' New York Magazine shut out the New Yorker at the NMA's, taking home five awards, and shocking each/all of the 25 people who actually care about such things. But now, Radar has thrown down the gauntlet, characterizing NY Mag as a technically superb, conceptually refined, beautifully presented piece of crap.
And while some are already commending Radar on a critique well done, we're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Because, despite purportedly being an empty shell of an elitist rag, New York just doesn't seem the type to take this criticism sitting down.
Bending over, maybe, but definitely not sitting down.
You're going to hear a lot about the Ellies for the next 24 hours, perhaps even 48, until the floodgates break open about whether NBC renews Scrubs.
So let's just get through the talking points you'll need to know this week as we sum up yesterday evening's event at Lincoln Center.
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• If you didn’t think a hip-hop show could be filled entirely with old people-think again. (Tues. 10/3-10/5) [Massive Attack]
• Getting shit hammered for free? We are always there. Even if we're the most brightly dressed folk in the bar. (Tues. 10/3) [Free NYC]
• Should you trust the media? If you want to hear Adam Moss' answer, go check out this panel. If you just want the short answer, we'll go with: probably not. (Wed. 10/4) [NYSEC]
• INever been to the ice rink in Rockefeller Center? Well, go you weirdo. Otherwise, if you've been there, dont that, save your cash and just try to walk around the West Village when it snows. (Sat. 10/7) [Rockefeller Center]
In preparation for the launch of Portfolio (which is, what, two years in the making?) BusinessWeek has called in a few top editors to give their input on the mag. Executive editors at ESPN, Gary Belsky and Neil Fine, along with Adam Moss from New York, came in to critique the pub. BusinessWeek is launching a redesign (we can't imagine why) and wanted the input of successful, non-competeing, mags.
The men provided a host of suggestions; for example, insiders said Moss preferred shorter stories (à la New York's "Intelligencer" section), and preferred more conceptual covers, such as the ones The Economist often produces.
Moss also, likely, encouraged the magazine to include as many photos of Julianne Moore and lots and lots of lists.
All The Help It Can Get [Stephanie D. Smiht, WWD]
Because the door hardly (and by hardly we mean never, ever, ever) revolves at New York magazine, this news is extra hot off the press. New York is taking on a new editor in Jonathan Paul, a former New York Times Magazine freelancer and Vitals senior editor.
With former Strategist editor Ben Williams' spot left vacant (Williams filled an on-line editor role) Paul will fill the role starting Monday.
Jonathan Paul will be joining the magazine as a senior editor starting Monday. He will be primarily responsible for working with Janet Ozzard on the Strategist section.
He is a master at the art of intelligent and revelatory service journalism, and we’re all very happy he’s bringing his talents to our pages.
Also, he's friends with Julianne Moore, so Adam Moss pretty much handed him the job on a silver platter. Fine, not really. Jossip extends its congrats to Jonathan, and hopes that he will enjoy his new job for the next hundred years.
In the midst of New York magazine's website updating (well, they say they're updating their website, and they gave Jesse Oxfeld a job, so we hope that's still happening) New York puts out their annual Fall Issue. Yes, on the heels of the Fashion Issue and Best Eats Issue and The Summer Issue and all the other listicles we can't seem to remember comes "The Most Brilliant Issue."
Fall, apparently, is brilliant. Not only because it's full of bursting colors in the parks, but because there is so much to do.
Like the pilgrims, New Yorkers associate the fall with abundance. But instead of pumpkins and yams and those weird nubbly squash things that no one eats, we’ve got Jack Nicholson onscreen, Julianne Moore onstage, and TV on the Radio.
As notorious huge fans (we'd go so far at times to say stalkers) of New York, we at Jossip are a bit disappointed. First off, what's with NY Mag's complete obsession with Julianne Moore? (We think Adam Moss has a little crush?) Secondly, "like the pilgrims?" Sounds like New York is really stretching for a valid reason to bring us more lists of potential advertisers.
Dare we say, "it's a good thing we have Radar now?"
Looks like there's a lot of recent NYU grads out there who are just dying to be Adam Moss' assistant. Well, we really hope you had that cover letter and resume ready to go before the announcement was even posted on Monday, because that position has been filled.
Now please stop bothering the folks over at 444 Madison Ave. 4th floor with your applications. Hey, there's always opportunities at New York Sun or Newsday.
Earlier: Adam Moss Needs a New Assistant
We don't know where she's going or what she's doing, but Denise Penny is abandoning her position as Adam Moss' assistant after almost two years at the post.
… that New York Magazine is looking for a new assistant to the editor in chief (title is editorial assistant; entry-level salary). They’re looking to hire someone for this position soon, but are going to be picky. Candidate must have previous magazine experience (internships ok), be extremely detail-oriented, intelligent, organized, punctual, discrete—a great administrator as well as a talented writer.
We tried contacting New York, but they're pretty much ignoring us per usual. If you know anything send it along. But we'll be patient … we realize you have to get your resume in first.
Whisper Jobs Ed2010
Update: Betsy Burton in New York's PR department confirmed that Denise will stay with the mag in the role of assistant managing editor. Apply to replace her at your own risk: Gawker warns that the job of Moss' assistant might not be as appealing a position as it once was.
Well, we knew those New York staffers were hung-over last week after their Ellie celebration at the Spotted Pig — not to mention Adam Moss having to dodge all those phone calls from Lloyd Grove. But we're just going to blame the weather on this very strange, almost moody, issue of New York.
Then again, maybe we should be glad it's not another listicle issue.
• New School's President Bob Kerrey explains why cock-blocking is just as important to running a university as having a facebook profile is. [Bob Kerrey, Cockblocker]
• Everyone remembers those moms who think their children are smarter than they really are. You know, those kids who always said "isn't it ironical?" [Can You Sue a Kid Smart?]
• Helen Hunt rises from the grave to take a look at Tribeca property. Great. C-List celebs are really what give this town flavor. [The Hunt Is Under Way]
• Freedom Tower fiasco after Freedom Tower fiasco is what keeps New York City press in business. [The Breaking of Michael Arad]
• Here's one New Yorker who works with animals … because people are scared of her. We're really judgemental people. [Suzanne, Dog-walker]
Table of Contents New York
Sorry, Ed 2010, but it sounds like you were about six years off the "perfect website" marker.
Then again the "win a date with Adam Moss" contests aren't exactly news.
The Perfect News Site, 2016 [Dave Pettit, Wall Street Journal]
Remember how much fun it was to elect people for student council back in high school? No? Well, let the ASME board of directors refresh your memory with its fabulous reenactment.
If they're going to pick a girl to be president, 9 times out of 10, they'll choose the homecoming queen. This year, fittingly, ASME appointed Cynthia Leive , the editor-in-chief of Glamour. VP is usually someone a bit nerdier. Like the guy who's in all the AP classes, but noboby ever really remembers his name. Enter Evan Smith, editor at Texas Monthly. You have no idea who he is.
The cute foreign exchange student with classy sex tips always makes a great Secretary (Roberta Myers, EIC of Elle) and of course you need a spot for the popular party boy for treasurer — and we're sure Adam Moss is great with money. Just look at those ad pages!
Lieve fills Newsweek editor Mark Whitaker's spot as president, and the new club will begin its reign over all the land just as soon as those much awaited popularity awards … er, Ellies … are announced. Assembly dismissed, everyone please return to homeroom.
Cindi Leive Named ASME President [Dylan Stableford, Fishbowl New York]
It's the mag we've been waiting for all year — the New York Weddings Issue! With 1,074 ways to dream your perfect Charlotte York style wedding, summer just isn't summer without it. (Plus, we hear it was totally put together by Adam Moss' assistant Denise Penny, which is a pretty hot job for an EA.)
New York Weddings is the only bridal magazine edited with a sophisticated, urban sensibility. Discover the best bridal sample sales, how to get in shape for your wedding day, and valuable tips to save both time and money.
With all the hype over AMI's total annihilation, we almost missed this truly special arrival into our city. We recommend putting on your padding and helmets now — especially if you live on the east side in the 30's.
Because if the rush to the newsstands to grab the last living copies of Celebrity Living, Shape en Espanol, and MPH weren't enough to send the flocks of blonde 28-year-olds to the kiosks, the bridal focused NY will definitely add another level to contact magazine browsing.
• Adam Moss and New York feel the pressing need to call out the business' middle aged, hotshot magazine editors. Can you believe they picked all guys? [NYO]
• Dying is more fun when people are laughing at you. [USAT]
• People haven't been this emotional over journalists since Judy Miller made the staff of New York Press cry. [B&C]
• David Pecker pumps up Weider style. Ok, more like Pecker style … it was his board, not his pecs. [Ad Age]
• Manohla Dargis does not deserve a Pulitzer. She doesn't even deserve to have her column read … according to one jealous colleague. [WWD]
As much as we love reading Diana Von Furstenberg's "blog" about her Fashion Week preparations on New York magazine's website, we were just too distracted by some pretty brutal editorial-advertising line crossing.
(Click image for larger version in pop up window.)
But kudos to Adam Moss and Lawrence Burstein's team up — they're putting Jason Binn's Niche Media to shame in that department.
Friday Diary: Diane von Furstenberg [New York]
Oh, Jon Friedman. While we had complete faith that you could do it, we never thought you would do it: give Bob Woodward carte blanche to protect his reporting gig and his lucrative book publishing deal.
If there's anyone that we'd expect to be a Woodward apologist, it's you, Jon.
And after reading that piece, we had complete faith that your ensuing columns would stay the course: fawning over media personalities as if it's your job. And you've surely made it yours.
Today's subject of Jon's well-greased hands: Adam Moss, New York editor since March 2004, who's left himself wide open to criticism. Leave it to Friedman not to find any of it.
The former editor of the New York Times Magazine gets high marks for sharpening New York's writing and broadening its national appeal.
"Lately, New York has been outstanding," said David Willey, the editor of Runner's World. "It has been topical and smart and doing 'service journalism' in a really distinctive way. The magazine buzzes with ideas."
I agree. Moss's covers typically have a real rattle and hum. These have recently ranged from a photo of a cocksure New York Times columnist/author Maureen Dowd to "Love and War in the House of Murdoch." The Fall Preview was enlivened by the blurb, "what to look forward to every single day until New York freezes over."
If "enlivened" is the adjective we're using to excuse "gratuitous attempt to sell newsstands copies," then dammit, Moss is a genius — and his grand scheme to out New Yorker the New Yorker is on track.
New York's Moss reaches for a legacy [MarketWatch]
Related: Bob Woodward CAN have it both ways [MarketWatch]
Related: Have we got your Penthouse replacement this week
• This year's World Series pulled in the lowest TV ratings in baseball history, but critics are blaming the fact that there were only four games, not the more reasonable "nobody even knows where Houston is." [AP]
• If by "comeback" you meant "dismal return to the spotlight," then fine, you've got Martha Stewart's situation correct. But your newfound enlightenment didn't keep her stock from slipping 16 percent yesterday, with Apprentice ratings in the tank even though magazine ad pages are up. Factor in reality guru Mark Burnett's once-fat payment package and you've got a hella lot of pissy investors. [NYP]
• Grab your seats for the battle between Conde Nast's Peter Armour and Ziff Davis' David Rock as they duke it out for a seat on the Audit Bureau of Circulation's board. Armour was sitting comfortably until Rock fired off an email campaign declaring the Nasty isn't much involved in the magazine biz, and we all know how Conde Nast thinks about email. [WWD]
• Oh cute, Adam Moss is publishing a mini magazine within the pages of New York all about real estate. Even cuter? He named it Vu, as in "6 rms riv vu." And people wonder why men aren't reading magazines anymore! [WWD]
• Some blogs post "bad information"? That's news to us. [Forbes]
