Daily Front Row

2011 May 16

Carol Smith Named Publisher of Bazaar, Valerie Salembier Moves to T&C

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Carol Smith
Patrick McMullan View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Happy Monday, Carol Smith. This morning, Hearst Magazines' president, marketing and publishing director Michael Clinton announced that Carol Smith, formerly SVP and chief brand officer of Elle, has been named VP, publisher and chief revenue officer of Harper's Bazaar. She replaces former Valerie Salembier, who has served as SVP and publisher of Bazaar since February 2003 and was a longtime favorite of former Hearst Magazines chairman Cathie Black. Salembier is moving over to Town & Country as SVP, publisher, and chief revenue officer, where she replaces Jim Taylor, who, according to the press release, "has decided to leave publishing and relocate to Massachusetts with his family." 

“Jim has been a great asset to Hearst over his 11 years at Town&Country and we wish him the very best in this new exciting chapter of his life,” said Clinton in the statement. “Valerie has done a fantastic job at both Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar over the past 15 years.  She is absolutely the right person to step into this role and oversee the T&C brand along with its new Editor-in-Chief Jay Fielden as he reinvigorates the luxury title for a new generation of affluent consumers.” 

Smith , of course, masterminded the Elle brand through  eight years (2002-2010) of unprecedented growth. After being anointed as Publisher of the Year by Ad Age in 2008, Elle reached the No. 1 spot in the fashion magazine category in 2009 following a double-digit increase in advertising.  2009, under her leadership, ELLE climbed to the No. 1 spot in the fashion magazine category with a double-digit increase in advertising. “Hearst is in an exciting period of growth and Carol’s understanding of how to expand a magazine brand into multiple channels will be a terrific fit for Bazaar," said Clinton. "We look forward to having her on board.” 

What will happen next? Expect Dan Ragone, the current president of Interview, to be wooed by his beloved former boss to the Hearst Tower. Surely Glenda will love!
ASHLEY BAKER