Rita Silvan out as editor-in-chief of Elle Canada
Rita Silvan, the editor-in-chief of Elle Canada, has left the magazine and is being replaced by her executive editor, Noreen Flanagan. An internal memo, published on Torontolife.com today gives no indication if her leaving was of her own volition. The e-mail memorandum from senior VP Francine Tremblay said in part:
I regret to inform you of the departure of Rita Silvan, Editor in Chief, Elle Canada. I wish to thank Rita for her contributions to the Elle brand over the past years and wish her luck in her future endeavors.Silvan was on the founding team of Elle Canada in 2001 and has been a judge on Project Runway Canada. The Canadian edition of Elle was the first of Transcontinental's joint ventures or licensing arrangements of an international brand.
In light of this, the economy and the maturity of the product, I have taken this opportunity to rethink our structure. As part of this, it is with pleasure that I announce that Noreen Flanagan will be promoted to Editor in Chief, Elle Canada. Noreen has been part of the Elle Canada group since 2001, acting most recently as executive editor. In her capacity of executive editor, Noreen has been involved in all aspects of the magazine, including beauty, fashion, arts and entertainment.
Labels: departures
posted by D. B. Scott at
5:48 pm
17 Comments:
Very sad. Rita is wonderful. Transcon is a ship of fools.
I don't think it is sad at all...the magazine needs a boost of energy and youth. It was an over-manicured bore under her direction.
Elle was the most boring read ever. Glad she's gone. No vision and also just plain mean to work with, from friends I know who have done it. Not sure how much tone will change with her #2 in charge now, but any change is better than none!
What the matter? Didn't take your pitches?
Livin' la Rita Loca
And by "rethink" Tremblay means hire a stand-in at half the price. And by "past years" she means she can't be bothered to actually look up Rita's start date. Oh, well, I'm sure she was busy getting ready to throw gasoline on the next fire...
@Anon #2:
Wow, you sure do know the industry!
Considering (the lovely and talented) Noreen Flanagan has been Rita's No. 2 basically since the mag debuted, I'd be surprised if this would be construed as sea change, ushering in "a boost of energy and youth."
odd timing considering the recent search for art direction.
Considering the fates of other recent Trascon mags... Home and Country, Fleur Plante de Jardin, Atelier Maison, Mon Chalet, IE Money, TV Guide… I predict great things. Ya, all Elle needed was a new Ed. ugh.
Rita Silvan was a nightmare to work with, a fact I can attest to from personal experience. She bullied many a freelancer, telling us that we would be banned from writing for Elle if we wrote for other women's magazines. Noreen Flanagan is a wonderful editor and great person all around. This change is only for the better, for the magazine and for writers.
Rita Silvan was a dream to work with, a fact I can also attest to from personal experience -- and I'll bet I had more experience with her than you. She was always courteous, kind, fair, and professional. So I guess my good experience cancels out your bad.
And I've written for other women's magazines under Rita's tenure. It was never a problem. Maybe she didn't like you, or your work.
I sense a sniping war brewing....
But, to be the devil's advocate, is it not telling that those commenters on "team Rita" are not willing to reveal their names?
I worked very closely with Rita and have nothing but wonderful things to say. She was a wonderful editor and respected those who cared about their on a high-level. She had a lot on her plate, an ever increasing book-size – and franchise rules and demands that most other Canadian pubs cannot relate to. I wish her all the best, that's for sure!
There is better life after Transcon, that's for sure. I can personally attest to that!
Talk about hitting the nail on the head. So, everyone who actually enjoyed working with Rita will only comment anonymously? How bizarre is that? Especially given how defensive those comments are: "What's the matter? Didn't take your pitches?" and "I guess my good experience cancels out your bad." Um, no, but it makes you sound like you're still in high school. Or like someone who suddenly has a lot of time on her hands.
Hey Team Rita Anon, did you mean "her" instead if "their"?
"She was a wonderful editor and respected those who cared about their on a high-level."
So glad to have someone trolling the blog to correct my typos. What would we do without you! I meant to say "their work."
only in this industry...
I have been a subscriber to both Elle Canada and Elle US for many years and I have been disappointed in the content in the Canadian edition. The only reason I subscribe to Elle Canada is to support Canadian talents. As some other readers have commented the magazine does lack vision and creativity. I find the magazine very dull and not very fashion forward in its articles or in its direction. Out of the Elle magazine franchise I feel the Canadian edition is probably the worst. I am glad there is a change in editor and I hope Rita the best in her endeavor. I feel Rita might be better suited with a magazine that cover more general lifestyle topics than a fashion oriented magazine.
Just off topic, another editor that needs to go is Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Vogue is so extremely boring to read. I feel like I am reading a New York society magazine rather than a fashion magazine.
I love Glenda Bailey, editor of Harper's Bazaar. If you need an example of an amazing fashion magazine. This is the one to follow.
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