• New York Observer, Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:54 PM

Interviews with Condé Nast editors, executives, editorial and ad sales staffers suggest that the enchanting, mystical era of Condé Nast is over. Small perks-the mani-pedis for clients, the flower deliveries, the sodas in the fridge-disappeared a while ago. Newer changes, such as seeing Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter in the company cafeteria, are worrisome on a psychological level. A culture of paranoia has taken over.

Recessionary belt-tightening seems to have changed the look and feel of Condé Nast even more than that of other publishers. "That whole feeling of working here and it being cushy and other people loving it and being jealous? That's kind of gone now," said an insider.

But while company editors and publishers are lining up to meet with McKinsey consultants to discuss budgets, New Yorker editors and staffers are not included. Si Newhouse told New Yorker editor David Remnick not to worry about anything-the magazine would be just fine, and neither McKinsey nor company executives would be mucking with his editorial costs.

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