Former Yahoo! Internet Life publisher Diane Silberstein was named publisher of Playboy June 10, four months after she joined the magazine, in what Media Week called a shakeup of Playboy Enterprises' publishing unit.
"With the editorial changes that are underway at Playboy and the magazine's upcoming 50th anniversary issue and celebration, this is a wonderful time to demonstrate to advertisers and consumers the power of the brand and the unique connection that Playboy magazine makes to readers," Silberstein said after the announcement. "I am very excited about Playboy's future and the opportunity to build on the foundation created by our sales and marketing force."
Silberstein left Yahoo! Internet Life to become Playboy's associate publisher under James Dimonekas, who has left the company, Playboy Enterprises said. She was also named vice president of Playboy Enterprises's publishing group.
Her career has also included stints as publisher of The New Yorker, Elle, and Media Elite. She has also been a senior vice president and group publisher for Phase2Media, an Internet advertising sales and marketing firm.
"We are very pleased to have Diane assume this key position," said Playboy Enterprises chairman and chief executive officer Christie Hefner in a statement. "Playboy is not only the leading men's magazine in the world but also the driver of our globally popular brand. With her diverse sales and marketing experience and her proven leadership skills, Diane is perfectly positioned to lead the magazine's efforts going forward."
Playboy advertising pages through June had fallen to 241 over the previous year, Media Week said. But Hefner praised Dimonekas for leaving the magazine in a very strong position.
Despite a difficult environment for all magazine publishers, he has overseen the creation of a strong sales team," Hefner said. "We wish him well in his next endeavor."
