George Magazine Unveils First Completely Edited Issue Under Frank Lalli

Posted on April 19, 2000

George magazine Editor-in-Chief Frank Lalli unveils the first completely edited issue under his leadership. Lalli has sharpened George's political impact, and added several notable editors and columnists. George also returns to its original wider format on upgraded paper stock.

The May issue has two separate covers -- one for subscribers, one for newsstand. The newsstand cover, which reveals an exclusive photo of Elian Gonzalez and his mother, features ``The Untold Story'' by Cuban expert and author Ann Louise Bardach. The article contains previously undisclosed details about Elian and his relationships with his mother and father.

``Ann Bardach got exclusive interviews with Elian's father and his mother Elizabeth's closest friends and relatives,'' says Lalli. ``She explains the real reason Elizabeth fled with Elian and describes from first-hand accounts exactly how she died while trying to save her son at sea.''

The subscriber copy focuses on Presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush and asks a compelling question, ``Will the Biggest Liar Win?'' Lalli comments: ``This article is an example of George's post-partisan point of view. We tell our readers why the presidential campaign is shaping up as the nastiest in memory and precisely what to expect and fear from the Bush and Gore camps.''

Lalli has hired Creative Director Philip Bratter, formerly of Worth magazine, to freshen the magazine's look. He has also tapped Loren Feldman as executive editor, and Michael Gross as senior editor for style. CNN Senior Political Correspondent Jeff Greenfield, acclaimed author Richard Reeves and Nancy Collins have also joined George's masthead as contributing editors.

Since John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s death last summer, the magazine has increased its circulation 12.5 percent to 450,000 copies. Kennedy founded the magazine in 1995. Hachette Filipacchi Magazines (HFM) purchased the 50 percent interest in George held by Random Ventures in October 1999.