“Jo Elvin launched a magazine that defined an age and a generation of young women. Glamour sold more copies in its sector than any other in Europe, with a new format and its own voice. It created a model for other Glamour launches that quickly followed around the world. Her achievements, and those of her team, have been immense. Taking Condé Nast into a new part of the market was never going to be easy and the Glamour launch surpassed our wildest expectations. Jo’s editorship, with its forensic attention to quality, wit, inventiveness and fun played the decisive role in this success,” commented Read.
Nicholas Coleridge, Chairman of Condé Nast Britain, said: "Jo Elvin has been the Editor-to-beat in her market for almost two decades, the undisputed Queen of the upper-middle market. As the Launch Editor of Glamour, she made it, in less than four years, the biggest-selling monthly title in Europe, with a circulation of more than 620,000 copies. Her fingerprints as an Editor are on every page, in every headline, caption, podcast and joke.
From the moment I first met her, over a poached eggs-and-avocado breakfast at the Halkin Hotel, I knew she was the perfect Glamour Editor, and have never doubted it since. She is witty, sassy, utterly professional, and empathetic with her readers. Anyone who has been a guest at the annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards, and heard celebrity after celebrity paying homage to Jo, understands the depth and breadth of her reputation. She is one of the All Time Greats."
Jo Elvin remarked: “It has been an honour to be Glamour’s editor for 17 years. I don’t think I can ever adequately put into words what a wonderful, wild, exhilarating and of course glamorous ride it has been. The fact that I have stayed so long tells you a lot about what a fantastic title it is to lead and what an exceptional place Condé Nast has been to work.
There are too many people to thank who’ve played a crucial role in making this job such a joy. But special mentions must go to firstly, my long-time managing director Nicholas Coleridge, who decided that he would let this high street-clad Aussie take the helm of Condé Nast’s biggest launch in decades. And, of course, to Jonathan Newhouse for agreeing to bring Glamour to the UK to begin with. I have to thank an absolutely wonderful team, whose brilliant ideas and boundless energy and passion has made my working days probably more fun than is decent. And I want to thank Glamour’s readers who have been so involved in helping us shape the brand that connects with millions, across print, online and beyond. It has truly been a privilege. It is no exaggeration at all to say we have helped so many women mine the best out of their lives and that connection is what I will miss most of all.
I’m excited for what lies ahead, for both myself and for Glamour. I wish the new team every success for the exciting new phase of this wonderful, beloved brand.”
Having begun her career on the famous teen ‘bible’, Dolly magazine in Australia, and working as a publicist for ‘Neighbours’, Jo left her Sydney home, bound for London with loose change in her pocket and a two-line CV. She has forged a highly successful magazine career, beginning on TV Hits magazine, before being tapped to launch youth titles, Sugar and B, and later becoming the editor of New Woman in 1998. Jo is regularly called upon by the media for expert comment on all areas relating to the readership of Glamour, and writes regularly for the Daily Mail. She has won many awards, including Consumer Magazine of the Year and five Editor of the Year Awards from the BSME, including the coveted Editor’s Editor Award. Jo is also a regular face on television, including ‘Lorraine’, ‘The Apprentice You’re Fired’, and ‘This Morning’. She has also fronted TV shows such as ‘The Great British Hairdresser’ with James Brown and Abbey Clancy for E4. Jo has presented a series of reports on London and Paris Fashion Weeks for BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ programme.
