Ever since we heard Deborah Needleman would be taking the reins at T, the fashion bookies have been placing bets on who would step into her stilettos at WSJ. Now we can announce that Kristina O’Neill, 12 year veteran of Harper’s Bazaar and the pub’s current executive editor, will be heading to Wall Street. She’s been called Glenda Bailey’s right-hand-editor and helped oversee the hefty redesign that Bazaar went through last March. O’Neill was tapped to oversee all editorial content of WSJ., however, she won’t be the only editrix at the top of the masthead. Ruth Altchek, editor of Off Duty, will be taking over the newly-created position of editorial director for WSJ Weekend (meaning Off Duty’s lifestyle section and WSJ.), and Kristina O’Neill will report directly to her. A fact that hasn’t always been giving its just weight in current media reports.
A new position and new editorial vision aren’t the only things that are afoot at WSJ. Over the next two years, they plan to increase the number of issues released per year from its current 10 issues to 12 by 2014. It’s worth noting that T: The New York Times Style Magazine, headed by Deborah Needleman, is at 13 issues per year right now.
Of course, with WSJ. being such a prestigious title, it’s only fair that a lot of notable editors put their names into the hat for consideration. Though unconfirmed, WWD has posted rumors that Anne Slowey, Kate Lanphear and Anne Christensen were under consideration for the position.
Aspiring editors take note, with O’Neill’s departure, Harper’s Bazaar has two high profile positions open: executive editor and fashion features editor. As previously reported, Anamaria Wilson announced last week that she was leaving to go to Michael Kors. This could be a sign that changes are in store for Hearst’s high-end fashion tome.
Even though we’re still reeling from the fallout, the lady that started this game of musical chairs has found a home (back) at Vogue! A fitting end for Sally Singer who is joining the fashion bible as digital creative director, a role she will originate. Singer left Vogue in 2010 to join T: The New York Times Style Magazine.
Glamour has brought on Amy Wicks (media market editor at WWD) as a contributing fashion news editor, while Nylon is losing their fashion director, Trevor Jacobson. Page Mullins will no longer serve as assistant market editor for the holiday gift guide at Country Living.
On the men’s side, Jonathan Evans is now senior online editor for style and grooming for Esquire. As of November 1st, David Hellqvist (formerly of Dazed Digital) will be working with PORT Magazine in the UK as online editor. More info for Kurt Soller at The Cut! He’s going to be editing fashion, beauty and style as the fashion features editor of their revamped site.
And finally, we leave you with an article on the state of social media and large companies. Even though you’d imagine that most large corporations have a presence on Twitter and Tumblr and Facebook, they don’t. Not only that, but a significant percentage of companies don’t have a social media strategy whatsoever. Food for thought.
