In what to many will appear to be a huge puff piece on one of the most scrutinized editors in history, I applaud David Carr for writing such a comprehensive piece on Bonnie Fuller who has often been trashed in the press despite her incredible string of accomplishments.
David Carr takes us through her career and she indeed gets credit for re-inventing the magazine industry. “Through nearly two decades of vision and relentlessness, Fuller created a way of objectifying the A and B list that turned celebrities into not only our “friends,” but also American royals, unelected gods who walk among us,” according to Carr.
So what is she doing next? Russ Pillar, an investor and a former head of the interactive division of Viacom. Mr. Pillar says his company, the 5850 Group, is seeking to raise “tens of millions” to back Fuller as a brand: she has created a company called Bonnie Fuller Media, based in New York. He says the start-up will be heavily digital and offer a variety of femme-friendly products that will include, but not be limited to, gossip, fashion and romance.
Pillar sees Fuller as a reliable cash register. “Everyone who ever did business with her got paid and got paid very well,” he says.
Bonnie Fuller seems invigorated by her new ventured. “I like the idea of blue sky. It will be fun to make something brand new,” she says, unbowed by the fact that the digital space she covets is already crowded with more established players like iVillage and TMZ.
“Every time I have done something in my career, I have been told that the market was too cluttered, and every time my ability to connect with women has allowed me to break through,” Fuller adds.
With friends like these…
There are numerous quotes throughout the article, but perhaps the most memorable is the one from Janice Min who gives Bonnie the biggest compli-sult ever (compliment plus insult equals - you get it.)
“I think the biggest misconception about Bonnie is that she is somehow larger than life,” Min says. “She is quite the opposite, understated and speaking in a voice that is hard to hear. She is the first to tell you what a loser or nerd she is.” (Nice touch Janice.)
