• maghag

    Heroes' Hayden Panettiere Is An American Everywoman

    Even though Hayden Panettiere turned 18 last August, we're wondering, is the Heroes starlet a teenager or an adult? We ask only because Hayden is on the cover of three different Hearst girly magazines for April 2008: There's Cosmopolitan ("Fun • Fearless • Female"), which, according to demographics, has a medium reader age of 31.5. But Hayden is also on the cover of Seventeen ("It's Fun To Be Seventeen" — median reader age, 16.5), and that magazine's seasonal spin-off, Seventeen Prom (median age, um, Jessica McClintock?). Are we supposed to believe that both high school sophomores and career women in their thirties want to buy into what Hayden — and Hearst — is selling?* After the jump, we take a closer look at the differences in how Hayden is presented to the ladymag-loving public. [Jezebel]
  • great moments in pr

    New York editors confuse tech-blog readers with teenage girls

    I'm going to venture a guess here: The demographic overlap between Valleywag and Seventeen is approximately zero. But it turns out teenage girls are just like us! "Weekends are usually a time for slowing down and relaxing," a Hearst PR flack informs us. They squabble over whether BlackBerrys are better than iPhones! They think the MacBook Air is really thin! They like Wi-Fi enabled bunnies! They have a crush on the Jonas Brothers Band. Okay, not exactly like us. Find more similarities in this feature, available in the April issue of Seventeen, on newsstands March 4. More »
  • traumarama

    Can Someone Turn Down 'Seventeen' Magazine Please?

    It came to the office in a benign white envelope addressed to Alex Balk. When we opened it, editor Ann Shoket's business card fell out and then, so did the November issue of Seventeen magazine. The cover was so heinously bright, Choire immediately shrieked (on the other hand, Choire is always immediately shrieking) and threw it from him. I picked it up—a mistake. Three seconds later my eyes were burning. Why must Seventeen slather their covers in Hot Pink and Insane Aqua and Neon Yellow? It's like the magazine version of Claire's Accessories. The worst part is that even after you put it down, a scary green afterimage of Carrie Underwood's face floats in your head. Horrid! Vivid! Are teenage girls all going blind or something?
  • In an interview with the Guardian, Conrad Black calls his fraud trial "bullshit" and announces that he's at war with the U.S. government. The paper also has an excerpt from Black's forthcoming biography of Richard Nixon, which praises the former president's "surpassing dignity." Read into that what you will. [Guardian] More »
  • james brady

    Old Man Thanks Heaven For Little Girl Magazines

    James Brady takes a look at mags for teen girls and discovers that, in the post-Atoosa era, they're all going for a less racy presentation. We're not particularly interested one way or other (the sooner tweens learn the "17 Fastest Ways To Get Him Off," the sooner they'll be prepared for middle school), but the column itself is another Brady tour de force. While the namedrops aren't as plentiful as usual, the man can set a scene: "What's the formula? I asked founding Teen Vogue publisher Gina Sanders over lunch at La Grenouille, the day before she and her family took off for a Jamaica holiday." But do we get one of those senility moments that is the hallmark of a Brady puffer? More »
  • ann shoket

    Ann Shoket Will Never Outblog The 'Toos

    "The hardest thing is coming up with something to say every day ... Although a couple of my posts are about things that I have done, the purpose is to talk about things in their life. I don't want to talk about what I had for dinner." That's new-minted Seventeen EIC Ann Shoket on the challenges of blogging daily. Pain: felt. So if dinner's out, what does Ann discuss with her tribe? Well ... lunch. More »
  • atoosa rubenstein

    The 'Toos Needs Your Prom Tips

    Former Seventeen editor and current MySpace queen Atoosa Rubenstein is going to the prom! Okay, not really—but she is going on a television program to discuss the prom. And she wants to include some tips from YOU. Yes: YOU. "Do YOU have any advice for parents about prom? Think about a parent who is terrified that their kid is going to get super drunk, do drugs, have sex or whatever. Is there anything sneaky that parent can do to protect their kid and feel more at ease on prom night?" Trans: "Please sell out your fellow teenagers." Guess what? Atoosa's tribe doesn't immediately get behind her on this one, for some reason! More »
  • seventeen

    'Seventeen' Party Makes Friends Friendly

    Did we know that West Village gastropub-whatever hotspot Spotted Pig had a third floor? We did not, but the gals at Seventeen did, and so they threw the tiniest of parties there last night to celebrate new editor Ann Shoket's first issue. Entrance through the rear, as they say! The top floor is like a cute Parisian apartment, with an open kitchen, two refrigerators, a hell of an oven. And so how was extremely tall editor Ann Shoket's day? "Meetings, meetings, meetings, meetings, meetings, and then a party!" the East Village gal said. She was in a two-tone dress, white in the bodice, black to the knees, black hose, undistinguished but not untoward shiny closed-toe heels. More »
  • Bear Stearns has a bone to pick with the Times Gretchen Morgenson, as do most people with a background in finance who read her columns. [NYP] More »
  • 03/13/07
    0
    1

    By abalk2

    Comment by Ha Ha Sound: Yeah, Bear Stearns is upset because they're greedy idiots and they totally f-ed up. From the article: "Still, one rival... more » | Other threads

  • seventeen

    Imaginary 'Toos Weighs In On Slim New 'Seventeen'

    April's ish of Seventeen is the first produced under new E in C Ann Shoket's regime. Is she working hard to differentiate herself from her predecessoress, the voluptuous, tribe-gathering, sparkling magical rainbow that is Atoosa Rubenstein? Well, our first clue was in her editorial letter, where she mentioned her formerly frizzy hair. Straight from the Toos's duckling-to-swan playbook! But a darker side of Shoket lay on the selfsame page: "I had three Red Bulls to get through this loooong photo shoot!" she claimed. Hmm, do girls with healthy body images chug three Red Bulls? And do they run cover lines like the one at right, or like "Get Your Best Butt?" We asked the Atoosa Rubenstein who lives in our mind what she thought of the changes. More »
    0
    0

    By Emily Gould
  • media
  • Rick Kaplan brought in to save ratings-challenged Katie Couric. [NYP] More »
    0
    1

    By abalk2

    Comment by lefty: Rick Kaplan. Perfecting the fine art of failing upward. more » | Other threads

  • seventeen

    Ann Shoket Says 'Hi!' From 'Seventeen'

    Ann Shoket's first issue as editor of Seventeen hits the stands next week. Will she crawl her way into our hearts like Atoosa Rubenstein did so scarily before her? (Related: Will she blog about cutting and emo?) Her first editor's letter—click to enlarge!— plays it smart; she casts herself as the new girl at school. (Whether she turns out to be a Heather or a Veronica, well, we shall see.) So far, she's getting points for chugging Red Bull and including shirtless pictures of David Beckham on her page. That's the kind of gal we want instructing America's teens! Also, we hear that her first covergirl is post-post-punkey fifth-wave-feminist Avril Lavigne, pegged to the Canadian lass's new album in April. So there, 'Toos! More »
    0
    6

    By Choire

    Comment by Dusty in the Wind: Mmmm. Shoket it to me, baby... (Sorry.) No, but seriously: I liked her better in that Catskills dancing movie with Patrick Swayze. more » | Other threads

  • media
  • Maer Roshan, the "battle-scarred veteran" of the "buzz-intensive media hothouses" that are New York and L.A. is back, and this time "the buzz seems to be moving back in his favor." That picture can't hurt. [WSJ] More »
    0
    0

    By abalk2
  • hearst

    Cosmo, Seventeen To Get In Online Gaming Game

    The Wall Street Journal reports today that Hearst's partnership with gaming company Arkadium will soon result in a game at Seventeen.com called "Editor's Assistant," wherein you're the assistant to new 'Toos replacement Ann Shoket and you have to complete "certain tasks" to win. But that's not even as cool as the game that's planned for Cosmpolitan.com: to win "Boy Toy," players will control a virtual man's attempts to "keep his girlfriend satisfied." How lezzie! And how downmarket! More »
    0
    11

    By Emily Gould

    Comment by htotheomo: I think we were busy laughing at the notion that 14-year-old girls were reading this and thinking it wasn't sex.... more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Before They Were Sorta Famous: The 'Toos's Nups

    After we reveled in deposed Seventeen E in C Atoosa Rubenstein's latest MySpace fabulosity-explosion, you expressed a desire to know much, much more about the 'Toos's background. We'll answer all your questions eventually, but first, we need to tackle the issue of how little Atoosa Behnegar became Big Momma Rubenstein. The answer can be found (as so many answers can) in the Times Vows column. This one is from September 6, 1998, and it details the day the 'Toos wed Tevas-wearing commodities trader Ari Rubenstein:
    LIKE a French tulip, Atoosa Behnegar is tall and wiry, with skin so white it seems powdered, and wild black curly hair. She is 26, the senior fashion editor at Cosmopolitan magazine and looks like a cross between a runway model, an ''Addams Family'' character and a Shakespearean maiden from ''A Midsummer Night's Dream.''
    Photographic evidence is solicited so, so, so hard. And for those TimesSelectless souls among you, the full text of the column is after the jump — it's too good to miss. More »
    0
    16

    By Emily Gould

    Comment by JupiterPluvius: Wow, what a great idea. Wherever did you get it? more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    The 'Toos Would Like To Thank You For Sharing Your Truths

    We hadn't heard from Big Momma in a while, so we decided to see what was a poppin' on her MySpace. A new blog?? Wheee! We have to admit, we had been sort of lost without her advice. But first, let's recap as to why she's sharing her wisdom with us here and not in, you know, Seventeen. Yeah, here's that "truth":
    I remember when I realized that my truth was that I wanted to serve you. I've talked about it before but in case you don't remember, it was a moment of clarity I had when I was in Milan during fashion week (I was 25), talking to the designer of Gucci (Tom Ford at the time) on the runway after the show. I had a complete out of body experience. I remember thinking - What are you doing in Milan, ITALY?? What are you doing actually talking TOM FORD (He's someone I had always admired in magazines and stuff) and wait...are you wearing head to toe VERSACE??? (This was the same girl who would wear her coats and bathing suits until they literally fell apart - just a few years before). There was a part of me that was just not comfortable with this wonderful life. I just didn't feel like I deserved it. Or better yet, I didn't feel comfortable accepting this life from God - sort of like when someone gives you a gift that's way too expensive and you feel awkward. I wanted to do something more meaningful to deserve this beautiful and fun life. It was at that moment that I realized my truth: I needed to do something more "important." Don't get me wrong. It's not that fashion is not a wonderful career - it was AMAZING. But I felt humbled by the gifts it had given me - and I wanted to give back. I knew that was the only way I could enjoy the fruits of my labor. That's when I decided to have a deeper conversation with YOU to help you create a roadmap for getting to a place where you're also super happy and living the great life. So basically, I knew I had to get out of the fashion department and learn more about the big picture.
    More »
    0
    45

    By Emily Gould

    Comment by ohnoyoudidn't: Between her obsession with teen girls and increasingly craziness-level, Toos sort of reminds me of Michael Jackson. Although, I loved... more » | Other threads

  • seventeen

    Judging The Shoes of the New 'Toos

    The newly installed editor of Seventeen magazine, Ann Shoket, was [at Ben Widdicombe's birthday party], flanked by her publicist. "Ben is the most charming, most dashing .... "
    More »
    0
    5

    By Emily Gould

    Comment by ohnoyoudidn't: Wait. Is this seriously about Ann Shoket wearing flats? She's tall, people. Real tall. Of course she's going to wear... more » | Other threads

  • hall of shame

    Hall of Shame, Part IV: Chicken Soup for the Freelancer's Soul

    Of all the Hall of Fame submissions we've received thus far, one really goes above and beyond typical accounting department shenanigans: More »
    0
    2

    By Doree Shafrir

    Comment by HeatherNumber1: She should write the preacher a letter saying she got knocked up and the lack of compensation for the piece... more » | Other threads

  • ann shoket

    Say Hello to the New 'Toos

    The kids at WWD and Jossip are both reporting that CosmoGirl executive editor Ann Shoket has been named editor of Seventeen. Finally, our long national nightm- eh, whatever. Just let us know what the arm hair situation is. More »
    0
    4

    By Chris Mohney

    Comment by thatgirl: I think this is a great choice. Seventeen is for nice girls and Ann is one. more » | Other threads

  • remainders
  • Hearst has no fucking clue who should edit Seventeen. That's because the 'Toos is irreplaceable. [Radar] More »
    0
    3

    By Doree Shafrir

    Comment by zibby: Cripes, you people are wearing me down with this Atoosa thing; she's like a girl you would see every day... more » | Other threads

  • media
  • Supreme Court allows federal prosecutors to look at Judy Miller's phone records. Why do we even bother with a First Amendment? [NYT] More »
    0
    2

    By abalk2

    Comment by Xian: BlackBook owes me $750. more » | Other threads

  • clips

    'SNL' Parody of the 'Toos Thankfully Omits Conehead Joke

    We're not sure when Atoosa Rubenstein became a figure of such renown that she merits a parody on Saturday Night Live, but this Maya Rudolph impersonation from Saturday's episode is probably the funniest thing that show has done in a decade. (And we know how desperate they are.) Extra points to the makeup people for not slapping on an oversized putty nose or arm hair. One quibble: no fried shrimp present. More »
    0
    17

    By abalk2

    Comment by Sigerson Holmes: Yo, Blizzard Man is like the next Nate Dogg and shit. more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Atoosa Rubenstein Loves Her Girls, Vapid Cover Gimmicks

    Departing Seventeen editor Atoosa Rubenstein gives a quickie interview to AdAge wherein she discusses her reasons for exiting:
    This started when I got my MySpace page. I didn't understand it at the time. I became addicted to it — I don't mean in a creepy way — but I can hear from them what they're feeling in the moment and throw it right back to them. It is such a visceral conversation. I see myself as a vessel for change. I want to be that in my readers' lives, or I should say, in my audience's lives.
    And how has that vessel helped change the life of its girls?
    We've been using our cover as currency. Our November cover has Teddy Geiger on it; you can take that cover to a Teddy Geiger concert and it gets you to a meet and greet with Teddy. Our December cover gets you a free Paris Hilton fragrance. January gets you free shorts from American Apparel and an advance screening of "Dream Girls."
    The 'Toos closes with this incredibly ominous sounding note about her future plans: "There are a lot of opportunities on the table. People are coming out of the woodwork." More »
    0
    10

    By abalk2

    Comment by Hops: Seriously, she's so busted. I don't think I can stand anymore pics of her. I don't care how soft the... more » | Other threads

  • amy goldwasser

    Breaking: Amy Goldwasser To Detoosify 'Seventeen'?

    So who's gonna replace the 'Toos at Seventeen? One interesting name we're hearing from more than our usual single source is Amy Goldwasser, late of New York magazine, where she helped create "The Strategist," a sin which will no doubt haunt her for the rest of the days. Goldwasser would be an interesting choice, in that she's the anti-'Toos: Note her recent sale of a book collecting the essays of teenage American girls. ("My goal is to edit them like they're adult writers.") Adding credence to the rumor is word that Goldwasser, a freelance editor at Vogue is only committed to that title till year's end. Speculation here. More »
    0
    3

    By abalk2

    Comment by raincoaster: What's the arm-hair report on this one, and what kind of flower does she identify with most? more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein
    0
    23

    By abalk2

    Comment by sherleycee: Her book "is being written" by ...someone else. Her book means nothing, it's all made up crap, complete fabulation,... more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Gawker EXCLUSIVE: Lots of People Talking About Atoosa Rubenstein's Exit from 'Seventeen'

    Gawker can EXCLUSIVELY report that, as of this morning, Atoosa Rubenstein's myspace page still lists her as the EIC of Seventeen, making no mention of the fact that she's leaving the book. The Post EXCLUSIVELY reports that the 'Toos plans "to launch her own teen-centered Web business, write a book and start a consulting firm specializing in the youth market," while Jossip EXCLUSIVELY reveals that "Atoosa's contract expired in August... and she's been a free agent ever since. And that hasn't sat well with Cathie Black, whose Hearst house has been left in disarray ever since the 'Toos announced her impending exit." More »
    0
    13

    By abalk2

    Comment by newyorkese: What do you think she is storing in those cheeks? She looks like my hamster on a bender more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Oh Yes, There Will Be Arm Hair

    Now this is just mean. We would never compare Seventeen EIC Atoosa Rubenstein to the character Jigsaw from the popular splatter-film Saw series, but they have no such compunction over at fourfour. It must be lonely to be an anonymous, bitter person who comes out from under a rock every so often to throw rocks at people who are legitimately out there, working hard and getting results. More »
    0
    21

    By abalk2

    Comment by Simpatia: Wasn't the Israeli prez born in Iran too? "Born in Israel's arch-enemy Iran and a fluent Persian speaker, Mr Katsav was... more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Going Low: An Open Call for Atoosa's Forearms

    From our venerable mailbag, a late-breaking development in the whirlwind career of Seventeen editor and self-promoting working girl Atoosa Rubenstein: More »
    0
    10

    By Jessica

    Comment by Matt: How great are those myspace comments from her faithful legion of 15 year old girls? Pretty damn great I'd say. ... more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Atoosa Rubenstein Hires Someone to Keep Herself Quiet

    From yesterday's Page Six, an update on self-promoting Seventeen EIC Atoosa Rubenstein: More »
    0
    4

    By Jessica

    Comment by shindoozle: I posit that Atoosa is just a sleeper agent for the axis of evil. Clever tricks like marrying a Jew,... more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Atoosa Rubenstein, Have We Got a Guy For You

    Today's Page Six reports — almost a month after the fact — that Seventeen editor Atoosa Rubenstein's legions are abandoning Big Momma because of her "impossible" demands and the "backbreaking" workload. Why are things so tough around the office? Because Atoosa, you see, is a star. Her dreams of fame and televised glory come first, and every last staffer will work without food or water until the 'Toos meets her goal. More »
    0
    5

    By Jessica

    Comment by raincoaster: Is that Billy Barty? more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Atoosa, You Are Still in the Running Towards Becoming America's Next Top Something

    Today in the wild, wacky and self-promoting world of Seventeen editor Atoosa Rubenstein, the 'Toos has apparently struck a deal with the freaks behind the model "dramality" show, America's Next Top Model: Cycle 47. According to WWD, the winning model will land the mag's February cover and Rubenstein will be joining the show as a judge. At least she's keeping busy; it's not like she has anything better to do, like edit a magazine or something. More »
    0
    6

    By Jessica

    Comment by pseudopsych: If she gets anyone other that 'world famous photographer Gilles Bensimon' to shoot the cover, I'm v-chipping the CW. more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Trouble at Big Momma's House?

    Is there anyone out there who hasn't been approached to work at Seventeen? We're hearing from a number of sources that Atoosa Rubenstein may have more friends on MySpace than she does in the workplace. One former staffer named the names: More »
    0
    2

    By abalk2

    Comment by thatgirl: Atoosa poached Leslie Heilbrunn from CG also--they got around the rule because Leslie "quit" CG to "go freelance" and then... more » | Other threads

  • myspace

    Atoosa Rubenstein's Online Diary Reveals Her Latest Crushes, Thoughts on Mean Teachers

    As mentioned yesterday, the only big-name MySpacer you can trust is Seventeen editor Atoosa Rubenstein. Her profile is authentic, the real deal from the coolest girl at the lunch table. Atoosa also has a MySpace blog, and we'd like to apologize for not paying more attention to her collected works. Failing to spread the magic of the 'Toos is an inexcusable disservice to insecure, self-loathing adolescents everywhere. From her latest entry: More »
    0
    6

    By Jessica

    Comment by Gretchen Weiners: I'm more concerned about her greasy skin. Yikes. Try some oil control powder 'Toos. more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein
    0
    20

    By Jessica

    Comment by ThisIsNotMyRealName: thatgirl: Point taken. Personally, I think the worst thing that ever happened to Seventeen magazine was it being published, but... more » | Other threads

  • myspace

    Atoosa Rubenstein and 'Seventeen' Take Over MySpace

    A spy at Hearst reports that Seventeen editor Atoosa Rubenstein has decided that MySpace needs to be flooded with her staff of orchids: More »
    0
    1

    By Jessica

    Comment by votejoe!: A is for Artistic T is for Timeless O is for Orderly O is for Odd S is for Scary A is for Adventurous Atoosa! more » | Other threads

  • media bubble

    Media Bubble: Spinning Pinch

    • NYT Co. searches for outside PR help in recent stock spat. Our tip: Go with Rubenstein; then the Post will be nice. [NYP] More »
    0
    1

    By Jesse

    Comment by thatgirl: Dear Atoosa, The magazine you desire exists. It is called Teen Vogue. Love, a friend. more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    Atoosa Rubenstein, the Orchid of 'Seventeen'

    A spy reports to us that Seventeen editor Atoosa Rubenstein spoke at Columbia j-school last night as part of their Delacorte lecture series, which is hosted by Victor Navasky. Navasky referred to Rubenstein as "Toos" and started things off by asking, "Does Seventeen accept 73-year-old male interns?" More »
    0
    12

    By Jessica

    Comment by magjunkie: She's a weird one but she definitely knows what she's doing. Everyone needs to get their facts straight- Cosmogirl is... more » | Other threads

  • seventeen

    'Seventeen' Bravely Puts Out Lohan-less April Issue

    Because she's the only young actress who anyone seems to care about anymore, the April issue of Seventeen crowns Lindsay Lohan as its monthly prom queen (quite the appropriate choice, we might add, as this issue seems to deal with "sexy hair"). What's particularly interesting, however, is the cover blurb: Exclusive! Lindsay Lohan - Her Mom Speaks - "My Child Is Not Perfect". More »
    0
    0

    By Jessica
  • seventeen

    'Seventeen' Markets on MySpace

    We should've known: Despite all the obvious dangers, Seventeen has an official MySpace account. According to the profile, the magazine is single, a Libra, and enjoys watching MTV's Miss Seventeen reality show. Totally normal for a teen. But? More »
    0
    3

    By Jessica

    Comment by HipsterPit: Her daddy says she's too young. . . but she's old enough for me. more » | Other threads

  • atoosa rubenstein

    And a Thousand Teenage Girls Go Running for the Toilet

    From Fashion Week Daily's coverage of designer Bryan Bradley's Tuleh collection in Bryant Park: More »
    0
    7

    By Jesse

    Comment by Simpatia: I must say that I find Atoosa quite hott (in a fat tranny kind of way). more » | Other threads