Chapter 252: Not Being Treated as a Discarded Pawn (Part 1)
ELLE is not actually an independent company, but a magazine brand shared by Hearst Group and Gallic Agardel Group.
Five years ago, Hearst Group acquired the worldwide distribution rights of ELLE (except Gaul) from the Agardale Group, becoming the new owner of this fashion magazine that is firmly in the top three.
The Hearst Group is actually a company with a lot of money. Its history of making a fortune can be traced back to before the Civil War. It originally opened a grocery store. The second generation went to the West to pan for gold and made a fortune and opened a gold mine.
By the third generation, Hearst was once the most prestigious media group in Miami, with dozens of newspapers and magazines, including the top three fashion magazines ELLE and Harper's Bazaar.
Even Fitch, one of the world's three largest rating agencies, is owned by the Hearst family.
Up to now, this family has been passed down for 6 generations and has completely transformed into a group controlled by a family trust fund, becoming a member of the old money.
Steven Swartz is the chief steward of the Hearst family. He just took over as CEO of Hearst Group three years ago and officially began to take charge of this century-old chaebol.
During Steven Swartz's first term, perhaps because he was still struggling to gain a firm foothold, Robbie Myers was given considerable autonomy at ELLE.
Last month, Steven successfully obtained a contract extension, this time for five years.
In Robbie Myers's opinion, she and Steven have a pretty good relationship, so she is quite happy that Steven has renewed his contract.
"Hahaha, originally I only wanted to serve one term. You know, my two children are already adults, and Tina and I are the only ones left at home. But Mr. Hurst insisted that I continue to serve, and I had no choice."
"I really miss the sunrise over Longboat Key."
Steven spread his hands. As a professional manager who had just started working for a few years, he could not afford a big house in the Hamptons, Long Island, New York, but he did have a vacation home on Longboat Key, Florida.
The person who says this kind of words doesn't believe it, and the person who hears it doesn't believe it either. The person who says it also knows that the person who hears it doesn't believe it, and the person who hears it also knows that the person who says it doesn't believe it, so they don't believe it either.
But I still have to say this.
"You deserve it." Robbie Miles complimented Steven and put his windbreaker on the chair. "You asked me to go to San Francisco early because of the afternoon meeting, right?"
Steven Swartz smiled exaggeratedly and said, "Of course." Then he paused and said, "But I also want to tell you some good news."
"Good news?" Robbie Myers blinked, a little curious.
"Given your contributions to ELLE over the past sixteen years, the group believes you can make even greater contributions in a wider range of positions. Therefore, we have decided to promote you to Senior Vice President of Brand and Content at ELLE. I'd like to consult your opinion."
Steven smiled exaggeratedly again: "Robbie, congratulations. Of course, your salary will also be increased accordingly, and it is currently awaiting approval from the board of directors."
After hearing Steven's words, Robbie Myers was not happy, but felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
Isn't this a promotion in name only and a demotion in reality?
Vice President of Brand and Content? For any fashion magazine, the editor-in-chief is the real power holder, and the content and brand itself are also the editor-in-chief's responsibilities.
It can be said that this position is a nominal one.
Trying to play Anna Wintour with me?
Robbie Myers smiled calmly and said, "Steven, thank you very much. I believe that in addition to doing my job as editor-in-chief of ELLE, I can handle the responsibilities of being vice president."
Steven's eyes flickered, and he smiled, revealing his eight teeth. "No, no, no, Robbie, I think you misunderstood. Human energy is limited. The group hopes you can focus on the brand and content. Besides, your child is about to go to high school, so you need to focus more on the family."
"That's a good thing, isn't it, Robbie?"
Steven leaned back in his chair, fiddling with the pen on the table seemingly at ease.
But from the way he held his breath unconsciously, it could be seen that he was now very focused.
ELLE accounts for a very small proportion of Hearst Group's revenue, as small as one percent, which can even be ignored.
But that’s not how influence is calculated.
As one of the three major fashion magazines, ELLE was the most popular fashion magazine, especially in the past few years, defeating Harper's Bazaar, which is also under the Hearst Group. It not only occupied the young group, but also moved into the top luxury field, eating up a large number of Harper's Bazaar's audience.
The fashion industry affects the entertainment industry around the world, and the entertainment industry affects everyone in the world.
Therefore, it is impossible for Steven to allow someone other than himself to be the editor-in-chief of ELLE.
What are our own people?
For many people, those who they promote are their own people.
Steven is one of these many people.
"Are you dissatisfied with my work?" Robbie Myers raised his face and decided to get straight to the point.
Steven Swartz shook his head. "Of course not, Robbie. Over the past fifteen years, ELLE has achieved unprecedented growth under your leadership. You know, this isn't simply a matter of ability."
Robbie Myers raised an eyebrow: "What's the problem then?"
Steven avoided the question and said, "This is also a good thing for you. If you don't want to take the new position, I can also offer you a position as a special consultant to Hearst Corporation, and the salary will be paid as usual."
Robbie Myers interrupted Steven: "I want to know the real reason."
Steven sighed. "Well, you know, this is an era of diversity. I've noticed that over the past few years, there have been criticisms of ELLE's elitist, white style."
Steven paused at this point.
"To cope with the changing social trends, I believe ELLE's editorial department needs to make some bold changes. At least in the editor-in-chief position, I hope to reflect ELLE's expansion in diversity."
"Is that the reason?" Robbie Myers said, looking a bit amused. "The proportion of people of color in the ELLE editorial department is 48%, which is much higher than that of Vogue."
"That's not enough, Robbie. We need a person of color to lead the transformation of ELLE and break the outside world's impression of ELLE. The board believes that your white elitism poses a risk to ELLE and even Hearst Group." Steven interrupted Robbie Myers.
"Okay, who is the successor?" Robbie Miles asked after a moment of silence.
"Nina, Nina Garcia." After weighing the pros and cons, Steven decided to tell Robbie Myers the news.
"Nina?" Robbie Myers sneered, "She's white too!"
"She's Latina, Robbie," Steven said, raising his voice. "When Nina takes over, she'll be the first Latina editor-in-chief of a top fashion magazine!"
Robbie Myers never expected that the person who replaced him would be Nina Garcia, whom he had always protected.
Nina Garcia has been with her for nearly twenty years, ever since she was editor-in-chief of Mirabella, a girls' magazine. She has taken good care of this Latina girl from Colombia and promoted her from an illegal immigrant to the fashion director of ELLE.
Eight years ago, Nina Garcia had to announce her resignation because of a report. She even recommended Nina Garcia to another fashion magazine "Marie Claire" under Agardale as fashion and creative director.
It can be said that she really treats Nina Garcia as her own sister.
She was not angry because Nina Garcia replaced her, but because she treated Nina Garcia as her sister, and Nina didn't even tell her a word!
You know, a week ago, Nina Garcia came to participate in her charity party.
Two days ago, they attended Gucci's Fashion Week party together.
Moreover, she had even considered recommending Nina Garcia to join if she did not join Lorraine Bio.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any professional manager!
But now Steven actually told her that the person who secretly agreed to take her place was actually Nina Garcia!
She didn't need to ask Steven if Nina Garcia had agreed. Since the name had already come out of Steven's mouth, it meant that they must have reached an agreement.
Robbie Myers felt a sharp pain in the palm of his hand. It turned out that his nails were about to pierce his palm.
"Hey, Robbie, relax. I've discussed this with Nina. She'll be returning to ELLE as deputy editor-in-chief. You can hand over some of your work to her first, and then you can officially hand it over in a year."
Steven Swartz's eyelids drooped slightly.
Looking at Steven's expression, Robbie Myers understood more deeply why Anna Wintour spared no effort to suppress the editors under her and only shaped herself into a symbol of Vogue.
This behavior is certainly dangerous for Vogue. If Anna Wintour steps down, Vogue will inevitably weaken, but it is in the best interests of Anna Wintour.
Not being treated as a bargaining chip.
"One year later?" Robbie Myers said with a sarcastic smile.
Steven Swartz had a look on his face that said, "Look how righteous we are!" He said, "Yes, in a year, Robbie, the group can also offer you a special advisor position."
Robbie Myers was silent for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "No need, Steven, I can leave ELLE now."
Steven Swartz frowned hypocritically: "Robbie, Hearst Group is still very grateful for your sixteen years of dedication, so..."
Robbie Myers interrupted Steven: "No, Steven, I'm serious."
After a pause to gather his emotions, Robbie Myers continued, "I came here today to tender my resignation to you."
Steven Swartz shuddered.
Resignation? Really? I haven't heard of any fashion industry having any contact with Robbie Myers.
If Robbie Myers really jumped to another fashion publication, it would be really troublesome.
Wait, that's not Vogue?
There are rumors that Anna Wintour is about to leave office to join Hillary Clinton's campaign team. Can this be true?
"Robbie, you know that you have signed a non-compete agreement. You cannot join any competing company within three years after leaving your job." Robbie Miles' face suddenly changed.
Robbie Myers felt absolutely disgusted.
She keeps saying that her existence poses a risk to ELLE, but she is unwilling to accept the risk of leaving ELLE and joining a competitor.
"I'm well aware of this, Steven." Robbie Myers put on his sunglasses again and picked up the Celine windbreaker hanging on the back of the chair next to him. "I will submit a formal resignation letter later. You can prepare the personnel notice."
Robbie Myers walked out of Hearst Tower carrying her Birkin handbag and stepping on Manolo Blahnik high heels.
"Geez, I think we can meet to discuss the promotion of Tears of the Moon Goddess in Beimai. When are you free?" Robbie Myers picked up his phone and dialed the number he had always wanted to make but didn't.
"Okay, hahaha, if it's you, I'm always available. How about three o'clock in the afternoon?" Fang Yu's voice came from the phone.
"I'm in San Francisco now and won't be back in LA until about four in the afternoon. How about we meet at The Little Door in West Hollywood at five?" Robbie Myers looked at the time.
"San Francisco, if that's the case, then let's meet in San Francisco. It's 10:30 AM now, so let's meet in San Francisco at 12:00. You decide the location."
What a coincidence? Only an hour and a half to get there? This means this young man is also in San Francisco.
Robbie Myers was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay, then let's go to Gary Danko. The red wine there is very good."
Fang Yu chuckled and said, "See you later."
It’s chapter 250, let’s commemorate it.
Please give me a monthly ticket! ! ! ! !
(End of this chapter)
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