The Archives, March 2003

Worth tries to hang on

March 31, 2003 – In an effort to stay afloat, Worth magazine has laid off its entire staff and will reduce its publication frequency from 10 to eight issues a year.

Fired staff will be rehired on as as-needed basis.

Like most magazines, Worth continues to struggle amid dropping ad revenue and lower circulation.

ePregnancy moves forward

March 26, 2003 – A staff shake-up at ePregnancy has not slowed the magazine down.

Since the staff changes, the magazine has sent three issues to print and is finishing up its June issue. And, the magazine has reportedly doubled its freelance rates.

The magazine is seeking articles on conception, pregnancy, post-partum, and a child’s first six months. Editors are also looking for pieces on fertility, preconception, fitness, nutrition, food, recipes, health and wellness, baby names, and just about anything else on birth and parenting.

The executive editor is Sherry Wallace.

March is on the march this March

March 17, 2003 – After debuting with a test issue in select cities, March magazine is moving forward with a full launch.

The Portland, Ore.-based publication bills itself as the only magazine dedicated to “incisive, compelling, entertaining literary journalism tailored to the multimedia generation.”

The magazine is seeking freelance submissions for its first retail issue. For writer’s guidelines, go to http://marchmagazine.com/pages/wg.htm or visit Wooden Horse’s database for more information.

Magazine launches up in 2002 over previous year

March 12, 2003 – The number of new magazine starts were up in 2002 over the 2001, according to a report in USA Today.

While the numbers may reflect more optimism about the economy, the new magazine launches also show a profusion of specialty titles.

Samir Husni, magazine industry expert and professor at the University of Mississippi, found that there were 745 magazine launches in 2002, up from 702 in 2001. Sports and special interest titles had the most new publications. Close behind were crafts, games, hobbies, and model-building magazines.

But most new magazines will not survive. Husni said sixty percent of new publications don’t make it past their first year.

Celebrity loving Gala set to hit U.S. newsstands

March, 2003 – Does America need another magazine celebrating celebrities? Publisher Gruner+Jahr thinks it does.

The company is planning to launch a U.S. version of Gala sometime next year. The magazine is a success in Russia, France and Germany and the publisher hopes it will be just as well received in the U.S.

The magazine would compete with magazines like In Style, Us Weekly and People, but is said to draw inspiration Spain’s Hola! and its British counterparts, Hello and OK.

Conde Nast hopes to get lucky with new men’s magazine

March 10, 2003 – Hoping to duplicate the success of the women’s shopping magazine Lucky, publisher Conde Nast has announced plans to launch a men’s version of the magazine.

Analysts say like Lucky, the new magazine will probably cater to younger readers who aren’t troubled by a magazine that blurs the distinction between ads and editorial content. Lucky, which bills itself as “the magazine about shopping,” reads more like a clothing catalog than traditional journalism.

But given its success, Conde Nast has high hopes for a men’s version of the magazine. In three years, Lucky’s circulation has grown to more than 800,000, and last year its ad pages increased 38 percent and topped 1,000 pages.

The name of the new magazine and editorial staff have yet to be determined.

George could be reborn in LA

March 5, 2002 – George, the defunct magazine founded by the late John F. Kennedy Jr., may rise again.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Helen O’Donnell is planning to launch a new version of the political magazine this fall. O’Donnell, is the daughter of Kenneth O’Donnell, a former aide to President Kennedy and friend of Robert F. Kennedy.

Until she finds out if she can get rights to the name of the old magazine, which folded in 2001 after a six-year run, the working title is Common Good. The old magazine was published in New York City.

Good Music will sing a different tune

March 5, 2003 – Hoping to cater to the older but hip music listeners not interested in the latest boy band or Britney Spears single, Good Music magazine is set to debut two issues this year.

The magazine is being developed by former Spin and Vibe executives John Rollins, Alan Light and Dan Sacher.

While magazines such as Rolling Stone and Spin focus on the 18- to 24-year-old demographic, Good Music will aim for readers over 30, a segment of the population that reportedly accounts for more than half of music purchases.

Interested writers should look for the first issue later this year.

Red Herring reaches the end of the road--for now

March 3, 2003 – Red Herring, one of the new economy’s bibles, announced it’s closing shop.

The ten-year-old magazine thrived during the short-lived dotcom boom but foundered when ad revenue dried up. The magazine’s closure is a testament to the still difficult economy as well as the challenges of being an independently published. Similar publications such as AOL Time Warner’s Business 2.0 and Conde Nast’s Wired have been able to endure the lean times because of their financial resources.

But Red Herring executives say of the magazine finds a buyer it could be reincarnated when the economic climate improves.

New men’s magazine to debut in Canada

March 3, 2003 – A pair of cousins are planning to launch a new men’s magazine called Toro next month.

The bimonthly magazine is the work of real estate executive Christopher Bratty and television reporter William Morassutti. About 180,000 copies will go to subscribers of the Globe and Mail newspaper. Another 100,000 copies will go to Visa Aerogold cardholders.

The magazine will reportedly resemble GQ more than the trendier Maxim. Derek Finkle will be editor.

Ms has named Elaine Lafferty as editor-in-chief following Tracy Wood’s short tenure in the top spot. (March 31)

Tiger Beat has moved. The magazine’s new address is 6430 Sunset Blvd., suite 700, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Body&Soul has named Seth Bauer editor-in-chief and John Stark deputy editor. (March 31)

National Geographic Adventure has named former Deputy Editor/features James Meigs executive editor as of the May issue. (March 26)

Parenting Assistant Editor JenniferTxeses has left and Ellen Goldberg comes aboard as market/style editor. Mary Giles, formerly senior associate editor, is now articles editor. Marisa Maeyama, once associate editor, is now senior associate editor and Meghan Rabbit is now assistant editor. (March 26)

GQ has named former Executive Editor Jim Nelson editor-in-chief of the magazine. (March 26)

House Beautiful has promoted Carolyn Sollis from executive editor to editorial projects director. (March 26)

Builder Senior Editor Caroline Weber has left. (March 26)

Playboy has hired Lisa Grace as managing editor. (March 24)

Marie Claire has made several changes. Beauty Editor Jody Buffalo has left. Melanie Mannarino, formerly senior editor, is now news editor. Tracy Taylor, formerly senior fashion editor, is now style director. (March 24)

Child has named Laura Gilbert senior associate editor. (March 24)

Corvette Fever Editor Ronnie Hartman has left and Cam Benty replaces him. (March 24)

The Source Style Editor Mike Salman has left. (March 24)

Men’s Journal has hired Deputy Editor Peter Frank. (March 24)

Automotive Fleet Executive Editor Gene Allen and Assistant Editor Joan Hong have left. (March 24)

Caribbean Travel & Life Associate Editor Kendra Gemma has left and Emily Kruckemyer replaces her. (March 24)

YM has named Beth Shapouri assistant beauty editor. (March 18)

Sports Illustrated Executive Editor Peter Carry has left. (March 18)

Self Associate Market Editor Madeline Muneyvirci and Fitness Editor Gabrielle Studenmund have left. Joining are Elena Rover, fitness editor, and Kate Wingard, associate market editor. (March 18)

Family Circle has promoted Joanne Van Zuidam from associate editor, articles, to reporter/editor and Julie Miltenberger has been promoted from senior associate food editor to senior food editor. (March 18)

The Source Culture Editor Anslem Samuel has left. Replacing him is Joshua Fahim Ratcliffe. (March 18)

Shout has gone quiet after ceasing publication this month. (March 18)

Golf Journal has ceased publication. (March 18)

Bike Senior Editor Mike Cushionbury has left the magazine. (March 18)

The Front Porch has ceased publication. (March 17)

VIBE Market Editor Memsor Kamaraké has left. (March 17)

Travel + Leisure Senior Editor Peter Frank has left. (March 17)

National Geographic Senior Editor John G. Mitchell is retiring. Dennis R. Dimick, assistant director, Illustrations, is now senior editor, Environment. (March 17)

Ladies’ Home Journal has hired Associate Article Editor Betsy Stephens to replace Marisa Sandora Carr. (March 17)

Child has promoted Sandra Lee from senior editor to articles editor. (March 17)

Vogue has hired Assistant Fashion Editor Natasha Royt and let go Diana Gettinger, associate fashion editor. (March 17)

Teen People has made several staff changes. Leaving are Associate Editor Kimberly Beder, Article Editor Sandy Fernandez, Senior Associate Editor Lori Leibovich, and Senior Editor Sophfronia Scott. (March 17)

Stuff brings on Michael Corcoran as deputy editor. He replaces Mark Remy who becomes executive editor. (March 17)

M Magazine has named Marisa Sandora as deputy editor. (March 17)

Family Circle has promoted Joanne Van Zuidam from associate editor, articles, to editor/reporter. (March 17)

American Baby has moved to 125 Park Avenue, 16th floor, New York, NY 10017. (March 17)

Maclean’s has moved its offices to 1 Mount Pleasant Road, 11th floor, Toronto, Ontario. The magazine’s new phone number is (416) 764-1300. (March 12)

Elle has named Deanna Kizis West Coast editor. (March 12)

Acumen Journal of Sciences has picked up several staffers from the soon-to-be closed Red Herring. Jason Pontin is now editor-in-chief. Stephan Herrera, Philip Ross and Tom Maeder are contributing editors. (March 12)

Business Week has named John Koppisch as associate editor. (March 12)

American Way has named Sherry Burns as editor. She replaces Elaine Srnka. (March 10)

National Geographic Adventure Executive Editor Mark Jannot has left. Mark Adams, senior editor, joins. (March 5)

American Banker has hired Katherine Kane as assistant editor, Viewpoints. Jennifer Kingson, formerly senior editor, Viewpoints/Cards/Technology, is now senior editor, Cards/Technology. (March 5)

Woman’s Day has hired Nicole Cantanese as associate beauty editor. (March 5)

Fitness temporary Senior Editor Karen Repinski has left. Stacy Baker replaces her. (March 5)

American Artist Associate Editor Ann Kalayil Abrams has left. Bob Bahr replaces her. (March 5)

Men’s Health Features Editor Tom McGrath is now contributing editor. (March 3)

Men’s Journal Fashion Director John Mather has left. (March 3)

Elle has made the following changes: Cara Kagan, beauty and fitness director, has left. Emily Dougherty has been promoted from senior editor to beauty and fitness director. Megan Deem has been hired as senior editor. (March 3)