O’Donnell, Publishing Company Feud Over Magazine

  • by July 23, 2002
Rosie O’Donnell is clashing with the publisher of Rosie magazine after the comedienne/talk show host became upset with the direction of the year-old magazine that bears her name.

The New York Times reported O’Donnell’s concerns center around moves made by Susan Toepfer, who became editor-in-chief of the magazine last month. O’Donnell had already been upset by the departure of Toepfer’s predecessor, Cathy Cavender. O’Donnell is listed as editorial director, although publisher Gruner & Jahr makes the hiring and editorial decisions.

The Times reported that O’Donnell threatened to sue over the changes, although the situation has apparently calmed down since then.

O’Donnell’s publicist, Cindi Berger, declined to comment about whether a lawsuit had been discussed.

“There are some creative differences that they [both parties] are trying to resolve,” she said Tuesday, declining any further comment.

A spokeswoman at Gruner and Jahr USA, publisher of Rosie, also declined comment Tuesday. An unnamed source quoted by The Times acknowledged past disagreements. Gruner & Jahr USA publishes Child, Family Circle, Parents, YM and Fast Company.

Rosie started in May 2001 after Gruner & Jahr USA closed the 125-year-old McCall’s magazine. It’s marketed as combining “Rosie’s feisty, fun-loving spirit with her passion for family, kids and causes.” Features include crafts, inspirational stories, fashion and “recipes you’ll actually make.”

The magazine has been billed as the most successful startup of 2001, with the first issue pulling in $18 million in revenues. There have been increases in advertising page growth, with 45% more ad pages in June 2002 compared with the issue a year earlier, and July 2002’s issue up 37% from last year. The monthly magazine has a base rate of 3.5 million, although The Times said newsstand sales have slowed.

Next story loading loading..