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WWD's Jeff Bercovici is reporting that Hearst Magazines is installing Joanna Coles as editor of Marie Claire. She replaces Lesley Jane Seymour, who has edited the magazine since 2001 and will now leave the company. Coles was previously executive editor of More, Meredith's magazine for baby-boomer women.

Mediaweek's Lisa Granatstein notes the odd timing of the move: The mag's paid circ was up in the second half of last year, and Seymour led it to its first National Magazine Award finalist slot in at least five years. (The awards will be presented May 9.)

Coles will begin at Marie Claire May 15, according to Mediaweek.

UPDATE: "Lesley did a great job, but the magazine needed a fresh perspective," a Hearst spokesperson just told Mediaweek. "We think Joanna is the right person to do it." This tracks with we're hearing from a source who knows stuff: That MC's newsstand was disastrous, leading Hearst Mags chief Cathie Black and recruiter Eliot Kaplan to spend the last year meeting with potential candidates for the job.

'Marie Claire' Announces New EIC [WWD]
Hearst Taps More Vet Joanna Coles as Marie Claire EIC; Seymour Steps Down [Mediaweek]