We're almost - almost - starting to feel sorry for New Idea magazine these days. To say it's been an eventful few months would be an understatement, and things just seem to be getting worse.

Apparently editor Mirella Cestaro - who is only a month into her role as the women's mag's editor - decided to cough up mad bucks for the Michael Clarke and Lara "Intellegent" Bingle engagement story. Problem is, if New Idea's competitors' decisions are to be believed, her readers probably don't even want to hear about Bingle.

The Pacific Magazines title paid a massive $135,000 for a two-part love story of the blonde couple's engagement, despite ACP competitor Woman's Day pulling out of negotiations at $80,000 - saying it wasn't worth more because Bingle does not resonate with female readers.

Following poor sales after Monday's "exclusive", billed as such despite the fact the news had already broken, Cestaro is understood to be facing criticism for orchestrating an overpriced and unsuccessful deal.

Drunkards, alleged domestic violence perpetrators, gold diggers, dorks - perhaps Cestaro should just make expensive cover deals with unpleasant people her "thing", and try and own this shaky time in New Idea's life?

We suggest a tell-all cover story about Ivan Milat's high school sweetheart, the readers will love that!

 

Tags: au | lara bingle | michael clarke | new idea | publishing