• by Ray Schultz , January 12, 2025

Vogue, Billboard and People have been victimized in Pakistan by fake publishers pretending to be them. 

The fakes have been snaring advertising revenue due these major magazines, reports state. 

These publishers have gotten revenue from WPP and IPG by saying they represent the magazines. But these claims have not been authorized by the publishers, The Daily Dot reports. 

Social media platforms have shut down the accounts of four publishers that claimed to be representing major American media brands, The Daily Dot continues. That includes Instagram accounts. 

One firm reportedly is publishing Vogue Pakistan, but that title has not been part of the Vogue brand, The Daily Dot reports.  

In addition, some of the largest fashion-oriented PR agencies in the country legitimized the impersonators with invites or deals, sources state. 

In a separate matter, the company that had a licensing arrangement with Vogue in Saudi Arabia is pursuing a lawsuit against Condé Nast for the way it ended their deal, which expired at the end of last year, Semafor reports. 

The company, Nervora, alleges in the suit filed last summer that the way the takeover was conducted violated the terms of their contract. Semafor also reports Nervora shut down Vogue’s website and laid off local staff.

Condé Nast announced last week it is moving Vogue Arabia and GQ Middle East into its portfolio operations in Dubai, and will now own and operate the previously licensed titles. 

Manuel Arnaut has been named head of editorial for Vogue Arabia and Amine Jreissati will assume the same position at GQ Middle East.