Vibe Magazine Sold, Key Editors Fired
Mimi Valdes, ousted Vibe E-in-C
This just in…
After more than a year on the block, urban music and fashion monthly
Vibe is said to have found a buyer. Sources familiar with the deal say Keith Glen Media, the parent company of progressive fashion and culture monthly BlackBook, is expected to take over Vibe magazine, women¹s quarterly Vibe Vixen and Vibe¹s Internet, television and mobile offerings. Keith Glen Media is led by CEO Eric Gertler and president Ari Horowitz.The strategy behind the acquisition is to step up the Vibe brand, according to a source familiar with the deal. The deal would marry Black Book¹s fashion forward approach with Vibe¹s urban music and culture content and provide significant investment to grow Vibe’s global and online properties.
So, that explains the random firing squad that transpired earlier in the week. Thanks to Bitter Vibes and my AOL gang, word has it that Mimi Valdes (Editor-in-Chief), Erik Parker and other big enchiladas have been kicked out of Vibe, with Vice President Kenard Gibbs expected to resign next week. Allegedly, Vibe’s circulation and ad pages fell 2.8% and 8.2% respectively. I guess Keith Glen wanted to clean up the house and start on a fresh note. They don’t like it unless it’s brand new…
