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Runway Catfight

Kim — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:40:34 +0000

Jeff Zucker, president and CEO of NBC Universal, and Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Co. have their claws out in a public dispute over the hit Bravo TV show “Project Runway”, on which contestants compete for a spread in Elle magazine. The deal apparently went sour when Weinstein sold the show to Lifetime without giving NBC a chance to match the offer. In return, NBC is suing The Weinstein Co. for breach of contract. Zucker testified that Weinstein gave a verbal promise of a right of first refusal to match any offer that Weinstein received to move the program to a competing network. Weinstein, who considers the court meeting a “divorce proceeding”, vigorously disputed Zucker’s testimony saying “I’d rather cut off my arm than give them a right of a first refusal.” The company wanted to cut ties with Bravo after season three because the network copied the Runway format with shows like “Top Chef” and “Shear Genius”, but refused to pay increased license fees. MediaWeek (July 17, 2008)

Garcia Could Leave Elle for Marie Claire

Kim — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:58:02 +0000

Nina Garcia, fashion director at Elle until recently and “Project Runway” judge, is apparently about to land a major gig at Marie Claire. A move like this would no-doubt ensure Garcia’s presence on “Project Runway” if Marie Claire takes over when Elle’s contract runs out. While no announcements have been made as to whether Marie Claire will definitely take on “Project Runway” or if Garcia will move to Marie Claire; it has become evident that Marie Claire’s current fashion director Tracy Taylor will be leaving the magazine. It looks like all the pieces are falling into place for a deal with Hearst and “Project Runway”. If everything goes smoothly, the next season of “Project Runway” will air on Hearst’s jointly-owned Lifetime network, Hearst’s Marie Claire will take over the contract with Project Runway, and Nina Garcia will take over as fashion director at Marie Claire and get to keep her job as judge on “Project Runway.” Read all about it Folio (May 8, 2008), NYP (May 9, 2008), and Fashion Week Daily (May 8, 2008)

Is Marie Claire Thinking of Taking On Project Runway?

Kim — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:04:47 +0000

Elle’s contract with “Project Runway” runs out after its fifth season, at which point they may or may not renegotiate a new contract together. If not, sources say that Marie Claire is expressing an interest in taking over Elle’s partnership. It would make sense that the two would work well together since Hearst, Marie Claire’s publisher, jointly owns Lifetime, the network which is set to broadcast “Project Runway” after the fifth season. WWD (May 5, 2008)

Fashion Director Leaves Elle Magazine

Kim — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:46:09 +0000

After months of clashes between fashion director Nina Garcia and creative director Joe Zee, Garcia was apparently let go. However, she hasn’t officially severed all ties with Elle. The “Project Runway” star is still planning to appear as Elle’s editor-at-large during the fifth season of the show. For right now, this arrangement would be beneficial to both Garcia and Elle magazine, since Garcia is much responsible for the expansion of Elle as a brand. Media Bistro (April 15, 2008)