Jann Wenner, proving he has style

Bauer has Life & Style. Time Inc.'s People has People StyleWatch. And soon Wenner Media's Us Weekly will have its own fashion spin-off. Despite evidence the faltering economy caused celebrity weeklies' readership to plateau, Jann Wenner is betting a fashion quarterly, launching in the spring, is just what American women want. Inarguably, the demographic's obsession with celebrity style remains; if a trend expert came along and said it was "increasing," we'd believe 'em. So Wenner's bet might be a step in the right direction, given this startling statistic: "[People's] StyleWatch this year raised its guaranteed circulation by 100,000 to 650,000 and now sells more copies on the newsstand than more established fashion monthlies like Elle and Vogue." Then again, Wenner is notorious for being late the game. He still hasn't bothered to invest much cash in the Internet, purposefully allowing others to blaze the trail (and bleed coffers) figuring out their web strategy, which he'll be more than happy to replicate. He's shown he's willing to cut corners. And when American Media tried leveraging Star's expertise to launch the style book Celebrity Living, it flamed out in spectacular fashion. And let's not forget Wenner's other spin-off attempts. He tried remaking Rolling Stone into a reality show and, well, viewers just loved it, didn't they?

Jann Wenner is staying true to character, and dismissing the publisher of Rolling Stone after two years of service, as he's wont to do. Out the door is Ray Chelstowski (installed in Feb. 2006) and in comes Will Schenck from Wenner's own Men’s Journal. Before Chelstowski, Steve DeLuca was the publisher of RS; also for two years. Schenck will sell the magazine in its new, tinier form, before being shown the door in 2010.

The Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt issue of People supposedly moved "only" 2.5 million newsstand copies, considered a disappointment for its share of a $14 million investment. The September issues of fashion glossies like Vogue and W have been dieting; they're hitting newsstands with fewer ad pages, when this month's editions are supposed to communicate heft.

Need more evidence the magazine industry should just throw in the towel?

Jann Wenner is taking Rolling Stone for a dip in the pool, and letting shrinkage kick in — he's cutting the book's signature size by 25.5 square inches. When the new Village Voice hit, we mistook it for an insert. What to think of the new Rolling Stone when its itsy-bitsy form hits newsstands in October?

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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 Journal, 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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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• 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.

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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.

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