AT THE TABLE: Though contract negotiations for Us Weekly editor in chief Janice Min will likely go down to the wire, as these types of big-money employee negotiations tend to do when they involve Wenner Media chief Jann Wenner, sources say that talks have at least begun. Min reportedly signed a two-year deal for more than $1 million annually in 2005, and her current contract is set to expire June 30. Min has been pivotal in growing Us Weekly into an institution of celebrity news. Under her watch, the title's paid circulation has grown from just over a million in 2003, with newsstand sales comprising about half, to 1.8 million, with newsstand sales topping 970,000, according to figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
And the editor has recently set out to raise her profile even further, launching a crusade against competing titles for their lack of credible reporting.
However, sources close to the company characterize Wenner as being in a less-than-generous mood these days and the sources believe he is trying to offer Min less than her previous contract. He recently attempted to slash the commissions of Us Weekly publisher Vicci Lasdon Rose and associate publisher Charlie McNiff, according to sources familiar with the situation. Rose eventually reupped at Wenner; McNiff left the company in April. A spokesman for Wenner Media had no comment. — Stephanie D. Smith
ANOTHER ROLE: Glamour's June issue has Sarah Jessica Parker modeling a few looks from her new clothing line, Bitten, but O, The Oprah Magazine is claiming bragging rights on the former "Sex and the City" star. Parker is the guest fashion editor for the July issue of O and was given eight pages to show off 50 pieces from the Bitten line. And that's in addition to Parker's mini fashion show on last Friday's "Oprah" show. As guest fashion editor, Parker chose "real women" of all ages and sizes (her clothes come in sizes 2 to 22) and she styled them for the shoot. "Sarah Jessica was involved in every aspect of the shoot, from the casting to developing the looks and styling the women," said creative director Adam Glassman. The July issue hits newsstands June 19. — Amy Wicks
And the editor has recently set out to raise her profile even further, launching a crusade against competing titles for their lack of credible reporting.
However, sources close to the company characterize Wenner as being in a less-than-generous mood these days and the sources believe he is trying to offer Min less than her previous contract. He recently attempted to slash the commissions of Us Weekly publisher Vicci Lasdon Rose and associate publisher Charlie McNiff, according to sources familiar with the situation. Rose eventually reupped at Wenner; McNiff left the company in April. A spokesman for Wenner Media had no comment. — Stephanie D. Smith
ANOTHER ROLE: Glamour's June issue has Sarah Jessica Parker modeling a few looks from her new clothing line, Bitten, but O, The Oprah Magazine is claiming bragging rights on the former "Sex and the City" star. Parker is the guest fashion editor for the July issue of O and was given eight pages to show off 50 pieces from the Bitten line. And that's in addition to Parker's mini fashion show on last Friday's "Oprah" show. As guest fashion editor, Parker chose "real women" of all ages and sizes (her clothes come in sizes 2 to 22) and she styled them for the shoot. "Sarah Jessica was involved in every aspect of the shoot, from the casting to developing the looks and styling the women," said creative director Adam Glassman. The July issue hits newsstands June 19. — Amy Wicks
