Women in Media: Teen Vogue’s Elaine Welteroth, Power Summit, Shonda Rhimes’ Media Deals, and More

Welcome to Technology for Publishing’s roundup of news highlighting women’s roles, contributions, and achievements in the evolving media business. This latest installment covers how Teen Vogue EIC Elaine Welteroth is changing the landscape of young women’s magazines, who’s who at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, what’s ahead for ShondaLand’s Shonda Rhimes, Girlboss Sophia Amoruso’s new launch, and more.

Leading the #Resistance  

Teen Vogue’s Elaine Welteroth knows what her 18-to-24-year-old demographic is interested in—and it’s not just fashion. The youngest-ever EIC of a Condé Nast publication is behind a shift that’s bringing together the traditional stuff of a teen glossy and the important topics today’s young women deeply care about, including politics and social activism. And as a New York Times Magazine profile of Welteroth points out, that shift is paying off, particularly in terms of brand recognition: ‘‘We’ve come to stand for something, and it has resonated,’’ Welteroth says. Her next steps, which she calls  “Phase 2 of Teen Vogue’s evolution,” is the launch of live “experiences” along with new products and services, TV integration, and reader conventions.

Power Agenda

How to Build a Media Empire

Shonda Rhimes, writer and producer of popular ABC shows including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “How to Get Away with Murder,” has been busy expanding her ShondaLand empire. Most recently, Rhimes announced she is partnering with Hearst on Shondaland.com, a new platform that will distribute her production company’s content across Hearst’s 200-million consumer base. In August, Rhimes also penned a multiyear deal with Netflix, under which she will produce new shows and “other projects” for the streaming service. Check out a long read on Fast Company for a detailed look at what’s behind Rhimes’ success and what she’s planning for the future (hint: it’s not just about producing content).

New Direction

Sophia Amoruso was 22 when she founded e-commerce company Nasty Gal, which after several years of growth underwent a “heartbreaking” bankruptcy before being sold to e-tailer Boohoo for $20 million. Now, with hard lessons learned—and a power team of women from media and publishing—she’s launching a new company called Girlboss Media, which aims to provide an “ecosystem that includes a publication, events, a podcast, and a foundation that awards financial grants to women in design, fashion, music, and the arts,” according to Glossy. In a short Q&A, Amoruso shares what’s different this time around, including a new business model focused on brand building. “It’s definitely different than a retail business,” she says. “There’s no physical inventory. It’s wonderful.”

Hiring News Roundup

• Susie Banikarim joined Gizmodo Media Group as editorial director, overseeing all editorial operations. Banikarim previously held senior editorial positions at ABC News, Newsweek Daily Beast, and Vocativ.
• Justine Bellavita was appointed editor in chief of Vogue International, previously serving as digital editor of Vogue Italia.
• Alysia Borsa was named chief marketing and data officer at Meredith, where she previously served as executive vice president and chief data and insights officer.
• Katie Brockman was appointed group publisher and chief revenue officer at Luxe Interiors + Design magazine. She most recently was associate publisher of Verdana.
• Cathy Cavender joined AMG/Parade as vice president and managing editorial director of Athlon Special Interest Media, overseeing the decorating, gardening, and women’s lifestyle group, as well as, special interest magazines.
• Emily Cooke was named deputy editor at Harper’s. Cooke joined the publication as senior editor in 2015.
• Pamela Drucker Mann was promoted at Condé Nast, where she is now chief revenue and marketing officer.
• Lauren Iannotti was promoted from executive editor to editor in chief and content director of Rachael Ray Every Day.
• Lori Leibovich is now editor in chief of Health, where she had served as digital director of women’s content.
• Meredith Kopit Levien was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer at The New York Times, where she was chief revenue officer. Prior to that, she was chief revenue officer at Forbes Media.
• Lenore Moritz was named vice president of publicity for Time Inc.’s video and television divisions. Previously, Moritz was vice president of communications at Viacom.
• Renee Rupcich is now design director at Women’s Health. Rupcich was design director at Allure and prior to that, design director at Nylon.
• Bozoma Saint John, previously head of Apple Music consumer marketing, has joined Uber as its chief brand officer.
• Madhulika Sikka has been named public editor at PBS. She most recently served as executive editor at NPR News, heading up worldwide coverage.
• Ariel Wengroff was appointed publisher of Broadly, Vice Media’s women-focused digital channel. Wengroff is the company’s global chief of staff and executive producer of “Woman” on Viceland.

Let us know in the comments if there are any other recent stories or career moves you’d like us to include in our next Women in Media roundup.

Photo: Erik Madigan Heck for The New York Times/The New York Times Magazine

Technology for Publishing’s Women in Media blog highlights the news and achievements of female leaders and role models in the publishing and media industry. Look for our in-depth profiles and interviews of top women to watch. Is there someone you’d like to nominate for an upcoming Q&A? Drop us a note!

Tagged with: Women in Media, women-owned businesses

Posted by: Margot Knorr Mancini