Channels with Peter Kafka Inside the Rise and Fall of Condé Nast with Michael Grynbaum
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Jul 16, 2025 Michael Grynbaum, a media reporter for the New York Times and author of 'Empire of the Elite,' dives into the glamorous yet turbulent world of Condé Nast. He reveals how it became a cultural powerhouse in the late 20th century, shaping America’s media landscape with iconic publications like Vogue and Vanity Fair. Grynbaum discusses the dramatic shifts brought by digitalization, the challenges of maintaining brand prestige, and the intriguing question of Jeff Bezos potentially acquiring Vogue. It's a fascinating exploration of media evolution!
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Condé Nast's Cultural Pinnacle
- Condé Nast was the pinnacle of magazine publishing in the 80s and 90s, defining culture globally.
- Its magazines dictated fashion, celebrity worship, and lifestyle trends worldwide.
Cy Newhouse's Transformation
- Condé Nast was a chic but niche publisher before Cy Newhouse's transformation in the late 70s.
- Cy's vision turned it into a profitable mass media powerhouse embracing new money and cultural change.
Editors as Celebrities
- Condé Nast elevated its editors like Tina Brown and Anna Wintour to celebrity status.
- Editors became cultural arbiters, shaping journalism and media culture in the 80s and 90s.
