WEEK END: The Week, soon to be the only title in the U.S. still owned by Dennis Publishing founder Felix Dennis, announced on Tuesday its president, Justin Smith, is stepping down. Smith will join Atlantic Media as president of its consumer division, a new position. He will be responsible for The Atlantic magazine, its Web site, theatlantic.com and its investment in 02138, a new title targeting young Harvard alumni. Steven Kotok, general manager for The Week, will succeed Smith.
Smith joined The Week in September 2001, and in six years helped grow the magazine into a 475,000-circulation newsweekly and turn a small profit. Through March 2007, ad pages for the title grew 28 percent, to 129, over last year, according to Publishers Information Bureau. While his exit comes as Maxim, Stuff and Blender are being acquired by Quadrangle Group in the third quarter, Smith said concern over the future of The Week amidst the transition did not drive his decision. "Felix asked me to bring The Week to profitability. I did, so I consider my work done," he said. "Simultaneously [Atlantic owner] David Bradley had this incredible opportunity to grow and build this company." Smith's departure comes three months after group publisher Carolyn Kremins left The Week in March to join Cookie as vice president and publisher. — Stephanie D. Smith
HOT FLASH: Lots of crazy things can happen on a fashion shoot, but a model's face catching fire? That's what's detailed in one of the wackier scripts Nick Knight received when his Web site Showstudio.com announced plans to do a live broadcast of an Yves Saint Laurent photo session and invited the public to submit ideas for possible scenarios. Showstudio has already received more than 200 scripts for the around-the-clock shoot, slated to get under way Sunday. The unusual initiative is designed to promote — in an interactive way — Stefano Pilati's Edition 24 line, a permanent, seasonless and sharply priced collection of YSL essentials that just started arriving in stores. The collection, which can be assembled into 24 looks, comprises all the elements a fashionable woman might need for an overnight trip, from oversize sweaters to a chiffon dress. The results of the Sunday shoot won't end up as a print campaign, but rather will be assembled into a short film for the relaunch of YSL's own Web site this fall, according to a YSL spokesman. Pilati and Knight, collaborating for the first time, will select the 24 best script submissions and orchestrate the 24-scene shoot, with model Jessica Miller burning the midnight oil, so to speak, in the starring role. — Miles Socha
Smith joined The Week in September 2001, and in six years helped grow the magazine into a 475,000-circulation newsweekly and turn a small profit. Through March 2007, ad pages for the title grew 28 percent, to 129, over last year, according to Publishers Information Bureau. While his exit comes as Maxim, Stuff and Blender are being acquired by Quadrangle Group in the third quarter, Smith said concern over the future of The Week amidst the transition did not drive his decision. "Felix asked me to bring The Week to profitability. I did, so I consider my work done," he said. "Simultaneously [Atlantic owner] David Bradley had this incredible opportunity to grow and build this company." Smith's departure comes three months after group publisher Carolyn Kremins left The Week in March to join Cookie as vice president and publisher. — Stephanie D. Smith
HOT FLASH: Lots of crazy things can happen on a fashion shoot, but a model's face catching fire? That's what's detailed in one of the wackier scripts Nick Knight received when his Web site Showstudio.com announced plans to do a live broadcast of an Yves Saint Laurent photo session and invited the public to submit ideas for possible scenarios. Showstudio has already received more than 200 scripts for the around-the-clock shoot, slated to get under way Sunday. The unusual initiative is designed to promote — in an interactive way — Stefano Pilati's Edition 24 line, a permanent, seasonless and sharply priced collection of YSL essentials that just started arriving in stores. The collection, which can be assembled into 24 looks, comprises all the elements a fashionable woman might need for an overnight trip, from oversize sweaters to a chiffon dress. The results of the Sunday shoot won't end up as a print campaign, but rather will be assembled into a short film for the relaunch of YSL's own Web site this fall, according to a YSL spokesman. Pilati and Knight, collaborating for the first time, will select the 24 best script submissions and orchestrate the 24-scene shoot, with model Jessica Miller burning the midnight oil, so to speak, in the starring role. — Miles Socha
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