Well, that didn’t last long. Capping a string of big personnel and organizational changes at Condé Nast, Carol Smith, who was hired to run the company’s food brands (sparking speculation that a larger role there was in her future), left after just over six months.
Smith was wooed by then-svp, publishing director Tom Florio and came aboard in April in the new position of vp, publishing director. As the former svp, chief brand officer of Hachette Filipacchi Media’s Elle, a longtime rival to Condé Nast’s Vogue, she had been something of a thorn in Condé Nast’s side, and her hiring was seen as a way for Condé Nast to destabilize a competitor.
But Smith apparently didn’t gel in the Condé Nast world, which was about to undergo massive changes. Florio left in June following what was said to be increasing tension with top brass there. In July, the company’s consumer marketing vet Bob Sauerberg was promoted to president. Sources in and outside the company said a common complaint was that Smith wasn’t visible enough on sales calls.
Smith wasn’t made available for interviews but issued a one-line statement: “The opportunity turned out not to be what either Condé Nast or I expected.”
Smith’s departure is publishing director Bill Wackermann’s gain. In his latest expansion of power, he adds oversight for Bon Appétit and Gourmet. The longtime Glamour publisher has taken on responsibility for Brides, W and Details in recent years. With the latest broadening of his scope, he takes an evp title, from svp.
The other big winner is Paul Jowdy, who was effectively demoted under Smith from vp, publisher of Bon Appétit to executive director of sales of BA and what remained of the Gourmet brand since the print edition had folded the year prior. Now, Jowdy will get his old title back as vp, publisher of Bon App (as well as the Gourmet brand).
All this time, Bon App still hasn’t named a new editor since the news a few weeks ago that longtime editor Barbara Fairchild, would step down. Condé Nast said it expected to name that person early next week.