The New York Times has an interesting story about GQ US today, suggesting editor in chief Art Cooper may be on his way out. Although the article is presented as a profile of GQ publisher, Ron Galotti, it deals mainly with a possible editor change.

The men's lifestyle magazine, now 45 years old, is still the category leader in advertising, but it is under attack from a new generation of men's magazine like Maxim, Stuff and FHM. The magazine's newsstand sales, the best indication of current consumer interest, have plunged, dropping more than 25 percent in the last two years. Newsstand sales of the rival Esquire, although on a much smaller base, are up more than 11 percent in the first six months of the year.

The ad picture was only marginally better. The magazine was off 13 percent in ad pages during the very difficult 2001 year, and until April 2002 had dropped a further 17 percent

In September, Woman's Wear Daily reported that Mr. Galotti thought Art Cooper, GQ's editor in chief, was part of the problem. Mr. Galotti denied that he had anything but the utmost regard for Mr. Cooper and the magazine he edits, but two Condé Nast executives said Mr. Galotti has complained about the magazine's editorial leadership. "Art and I have been colleagues and friends for 20 years," Mr. Galotti sais to the NYT, "I have no idea where these stories start. He played a significant role in my coming here, and I love his magazine."