magazines

Some of the most recognizable brands in the print business might soon have new owners if Time Warner moves ahead with discussions to sell off parts of its magazine company — the nation's largest — Time Inc.

According to Fortune — which is itself a Time Inc. title — executives from the company on Wednesday discussed a potential deal with representatives of the Meredith Corporation, the Iowa publisher that owns Ladies' Home Journal, Parents, and More, among other titles. While the talks are still in their infancy, a tentative sales plan would see Time Warner holding onto its three oldest titles (Time, Sports Illustrated, and Fortune), while letting go of InStyle, People, Real Simple, and the rest of its stable of glossies.

A spokesperson for Meredith told WWD, "It is our policy not to comment on marketplace rumors or speculation." How much the transaction is worth and whether it will actually go through remain to be seen.

Rumors of Time Warner selling off some of its magazines have surfaced before, but these seem especially credible in light of Time Inc.'s recent performance. Last month, in response to a decline in sales, subscription revenue, and advertising revenue in 2012, Time Inc. announced that it had plans to lay off six percent of its work force both domestically and internationally. As Time Warner continues to get smaller — the company sold off both Time Warner Cable and AOL in 2009 — selling off under-performing units might be seen as an attempt to insulate itself from trouble in the print industry.

Photo courtesy of InStyle.

The great editor shakeup of 2012 is continuing right on into the New Year with a recent round of staff changes at Glamour. The magazine has replaced its longtime beauty director Felicia Milewicz, who left in November, with Marie Claire's former beauty and health director Ying Chu.

Chu will serve as the magazine's executive beauty director, overseeing beauty content both in print and online. She'll work closely with editor in chief Cindi Leive. Chu will be replaced by Erin Flaherty, Marie Claire's current executive beauty editor.

"There is not a more exciting place to be, or a more inspirational editor to work with," said Chu, who starts her new job at the end of the month. "And I can't wait to engage with the Glamour audience!"

The new hire coincides with a round of promotions: Glamour's executive fashion director Anne Christensen is now creative director, fashion; and design director Geraldine Hessler's new title is creative director, design. Suzanne Donaldson, previously the magazine's photo director, is now its executive photo director.

The Glamour team is just one of many glossy magazine staffs that have been rocked by editors coming and going in the last several months. Last October, Glamour's senior beauty editor Elaine Welteroth left the magazine to replace Teen Vogue's outgoing beauty and health director Eva Chen.

At some point within the next 12 months, Net-a-Porter will launch a magazine that lives on real paper, not on an Internet platform.

The online retailer's CEO Mark Sebba pooh-poohed the notion that print operations are decreasing in relevance when he announced plans for the magazine at a recent business leadership conference.

"Traditional publishers always say that we are lucky for being born in a digital age and don't have a legacy of print," he said. "But we still see it as important."

Not only is it important, Sebba said, but it's also been a part of the way Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet (who worked at WWD and Tatler before she got into retail) envisioned the business when she started it. Content — like the site's weekly magazine, mobile apps, and video channel — has allowed Net-a-Porter to sell advertising space to the very brands it sells. And that advertising is what will keep a print product alive.

"Twelve years ago when Natalie launched Net-a-Porter, it wasn't so much about revolutionizing shopping as revolutionizing the magazine industry. It's about understanding the media side of commerce rather than just trying to move products. I don't want to denigrate [the retail] side in any way as it pays the rent, but advertising revenue increasingly pays the rent as well."

Sebba did not say how often the magazine would be published or give any other details about the project. Requests to Net-a-Porter for more information were not returned as of this post.

Photo: A spread from Net-a-Porter's online magazine.

If you have a pile of magazines that's growing bigger and bigger in your home, use this Sunday to finally tackle them for good.

You may have some magazines that haven't even been read. This happens more often for people who have a subscription. Take some time to browse through the glossy pages, and tear out any that you want to keep. Then set them in a folder designated for magazine tear-outs.

When you're ready to trash or recycle your magazines, here are some suggestions on what to do with them.

If you're a magazine fiend like I am, then you probably have a couple lying around the house. Don't let the pile of magazines build up and clutter your home. Other than giving copies of your magazines away to friends or donating them, here's what you can reuse them for:

• Wrapping paper: Wrapping gifts in colored magazine paper looks so much more presentable than wrapping them in newspaper. Your friends will marvel at your creativity and frugality!
• Decor: Laminate your favorite (or just pretty) pages, and use them as wall decor or even creative placemats on the dining table.
• Computer elevation: Place your PC on a bunch of magazines to elevate it to the proper height and avoid making your neck ache.
• Kids' projects: Use old magazines to entertain children by creating scrapbooks or making jewelry and bookmarks.
• Cabinet and drawer liners: Line your kitchen or bathroom cabinets and drawers with magazine pages to keep the surfaces clean.