In a major shuffle at the top of the women’s magazine pile, New Idea editor Jenny Gilbert has been given her marching orders.

No reason was offered for the sudden announcement today from Pacific
Magazines, the Seven Network’s magazine arm. “Pacific Magazines CEO, Mr
Nick Chan, thanked Jennifer Gilbert for her contribution to New Idea during her editorship. Pacific Magazines will announce the appointment of a new editor of New Idea in the coming week.”

Crikey understands that Gilbert was given the bad news late last week by New Idea
publisher Suzanne Monks, and told to leave the office straight away –
which she did, contacting an industrial lawyer on her way out.

New Idea’s circulation eased 0.8% from 2003 to 2004 and ended last year with average weekly sales of 401,733. But the losses at ACP’s Australian Women’s Weekly and Woman’s Day were both over 3%.