• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, August 29, 2013

UK Lad Mags Told To Cover Up

British “lad mags” have been given until Sept. 9 by a prominent retailer to begin covering up their titillating covers with “modesty bags” of the kind more commonly seen on pornographic titles, or risk being removed from retail displays altogether, according to the BBC News.

The decision affects magazines with evocative titles like Front, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo, and comes from The Co-Operative Group, a powerful consumer-owned group that runs some 4,000 retail outlets across the U.K., following pressure from an odd-couple alliance of feminists and social conservatives.

The Co-operative Group’s retail chief executive, Steve Murrells, explained: “As a community-based retailer, we have listened to the concerns of our customers and members, many of whom say they object to their children being able to see overt sexual images in our stores.”

Jo Swinson, a British government minister for women and equality, stated: “Adults should be left to make their own decisions about what legal sexual images they look at, but the place for these is not next to the sweets at children's eye-level.”

It’s worth noting some British feminists wanted the Co-op Group to go a step further and stop carrying the titles altogether. Activists opposed to lad mags have warned that retailers who require employees to handle magazines with provocative imagery could be sued for sexual harassment or discrimination under the UK’s Equality Act of 2010.
 
Feder To Chief Digital Officer, Watch Entertainment

Watch Entertainment, the company started by TV chef Rachael Ray to control her media brands, has named Sharon Feder to the position of chief digital officer. In this new position, Feder will oversee Watch Entertainment’s digital media businesses, focusing on the expansion and growth of Ray’s digital brand, which includes online, mobile, social and e-commerce. Feder previously served as chief operating officer at Mashable, which grew from one million to 25 million readers a month during her tenure.

Tkach Returns To Backpacker

Active Interest Media announced that Jeff Tkach is rejoining Backpacker magazine as publisher, as well as assuming the role of publisher of Climbing magazine. Tkach previously served as an account manager at Backpacker from 2002-2006, when it was owned by Rodale. AIM also announced that Sharon Houghton has been promoted to advertising director at Backpacker and Climbing. Finally, Jo-Ann Martin has been appointed AIM’s East Coast sales manager; she is another AIM veteran, having worked at Ski and Skiing from 1990-1998.

Sorrentino To Deputy Creative Director, Wired

Billy Sorrentino has been named to the new position of deputy creative director for Wired magazine; he previously served as design direct for Conde Nast’s editorial development group. Also this week, Eric Steuer was named community director for Wired, with responsibility for building community via Wired’s various properties, social media, events, and video .