Advance Publications daughter-in-law promoted at Conde Nast

The daughter-in-law of Advance Publications president Donald Newhouse has been promoted president of global development at its magazine company Conde Nast International.

The appointment answers speculation about what role she would take in the family empire after trade publications division Fairchild Fashion Media, where she had been president and chief executive since 2010, was sold to Penske Media Corporation in August for $100 million.

Media reports state she is a contender to one day lead Conde Nast.

In her newly created role, Gina Sanders, married to Advance Publications third-gen Steven Newhouse, will create new business opportunities for the glossy magazine empire, operating from offices in Paris and New York.

She will report to non-family chief executive of Conde Nast Charles Townsend, and Jonathan Newhouse, a cousin of her father-in-law and chairman and chief executive of Conde Nast International.

Jonathan Newhouse said in a statement he was delighted about Sanders appointment, describing her as an executive “who makes things happen”.

Sanders has previously served as vice president and publisher of Lucky, founding vice president and publisher of Teen Vogue, and vice president and publisher of Gourmet and Details.

Her husband is chairman of the digital division of Advance Publications, which owns a stake in information-sharing website Reddit, and has worked in the family business his entire career. Steven is often pegged as a possible successor to head the family empire, as is his first cousin once removed Jonathan.

Founded in 1922, Advance Publications is wholly owned by Donald Newhouse and his brother Sam Irving (“Si”) Newhouse, who is chairman and chief executive of the publishing empire – although recent reports state he has quietly stepped down from the helm. Donald heads the news side of the business, while Si oversees the magazines.

Conde Nast titles include Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, The New Yorker, Condé Nast Traveller, and Wired, reaching 263 consumers in 30 markets.