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WINTOUR WATCH: Perhaps it was only a matter of time, so to speak. After books, films and countless paparazzi shots, Anna Wintour, product progenitor, could be nigh — the ever-punctual Vogue editor in chief appears to be the inspiration behind a fine watch line. Invitations to view the curious new "Wintour" brand of watches at the JCK jewelry trade show starting Friday recently went out to editors and retailers. While Wintour herself has no affiliation with Wintour the brand, mum's the word on whether it actually references her. Maybe the hands are sunglass stems? The face is a bob? The numerals are Roman Vs? "You will understand when you see it," said a representative for the brand. "We will not preview it to anyone." As for Wintour's timely reaction, a Vogue spokesman said simply, "Anna is looking forward to seeing the watches." Tick tock. — Sophia Chabbott
REVOLVING DOORS: Reader's Digest vice president and publisher Jeff Wellington has left the magazine after seven months in the position. He joined the title in October, reporting to group publisher Eva Dillon, from The Parenting Group, where he was president and group publisher. The home of Parenting and BabyTalk, among others, was owned by Time Inc. during his tenure, but was acquired by Bonnier Group last year. "Jeff is one of the greatest guys in the business, but it wasn't the right fit for either of us," said Dillon. Wellington's last day was Thursday. Dillon will assume his responsibilities until a new publisher is named.
Reader's Digest has undergone a major transition under new owners Ripplewood Holdings and president and chief executive officer Mary Berner. The magazine in November brought in former More editor in chief Peggy Northrop as its new top editor, who then redesigned the title (the June issue was the first fully overseen by Northrop). Advertising, however, remains a challenge: Through June, ad pages for the magazine have fallen 14 percent to 476. Dillon said the decline is "100 percent due" to a falloff in pharmaceutical advertising, which makes up about 40 percent of the magazine's ad mix. Dillon noted that ad categories outside of pharmaceutical are up 8 percent. — Stephanie D. Smith
REVOLVING DOORS: Reader's Digest vice president and publisher Jeff Wellington has left the magazine after seven months in the position. He joined the title in October, reporting to group publisher Eva Dillon, from The Parenting Group, where he was president and group publisher. The home of Parenting and BabyTalk, among others, was owned by Time Inc. during his tenure, but was acquired by Bonnier Group last year. "Jeff is one of the greatest guys in the business, but it wasn't the right fit for either of us," said Dillon. Wellington's last day was Thursday. Dillon will assume his responsibilities until a new publisher is named.
Reader's Digest has undergone a major transition under new owners Ripplewood Holdings and president and chief executive officer Mary Berner. The magazine in November brought in former More editor in chief Peggy Northrop as its new top editor, who then redesigned the title (the June issue was the first fully overseen by Northrop). Advertising, however, remains a challenge: Through June, ad pages for the magazine have fallen 14 percent to 476. Dillon said the decline is "100 percent due" to a falloff in pharmaceutical advertising, which makes up about 40 percent of the magazine's ad mix. Dillon noted that ad categories outside of pharmaceutical are up 8 percent. — Stephanie D. Smith
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