Keith Kelly reports today that Paris-based Lagardére is in talks with Hearst Corp. about taking over the US operations of fashion Hachette's flagship magazine Elle. He estimates the value of the influential fashion title at $200MM. Elle has recently been cited in the trades as a singular bright spot in an otherwise blighted sector - most recently getting attention for selling more ad pages than Conde Nast rival Vogue. (more...)

Former Hachette CEO Jack Kliger was named acting CEO of troubled TV Guide, filling the role vacated in May by Scott Crystal. TV Guide has had a rough year, having endured by two ownership changes and staff and circulation cuts as the once powerful magazine has struggled to survive in one of the worst advertising recessions in history. (more...)