A WINTOUR’S TALE: Fresh on the heels of “The Devil Wears Prada,” a new, unauthorized biography of Anna Wintour is in the works. The book is being penned by Jerry Oppenheimer, and WWD has learned it will be called “Front Row: The Cool Life and Hot Times of Anna Wintour.”
Oppenheimer, who’s written less-than-flattering bios of Jerry Seinfeld (“Jerry Seinfeld: The Making of an American Icon”) and Martha Stewart (“Just Desserts”), couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
Wintour is not cooperating with the book. Oppenheimer is said to be tracing her career from her childhood in England to her stints at Harpers & Queen, Harper’s Bazaar, New York, American and British Vogues, HG and up to her present-day role as editor in chief of American Vogue (which, like WWD, is owned by Advance Publications). The book will be published by St. Martin’s Press next fall/winter. — Lisa Lockwood
NORTHROP’S NEXT GIG: Peggy Northrop, editor in chief of the Rodale-owned Organic Style, apparently wants more. She’s been named editor in chief of More magazine, published by Meredith Corp., and succeeds Susan Crandall, who resigned in February to pursue writing opportunities.
During Northrop’s tenure at Organic Style, the magazine’s circulation increased from an initial launch of 400,000 to 750,000 and its frequency rose from six to 10 times a year. Organic Style recently made Adweek’s “Hot List.”
More, the circulation of which has tripled to 950,000 since its inception five years ago, has seen a 12 percent increase in ad pages from January through April on top of a 33 percent ad page gain in 2003.
Crandall had been editor of More since its August 1998 launch and was named editor in chief in 2002. She will stay on until midmonth, when Northrop takes over. — L.L.