Roshan with Radar's future editor Bercovici (right) at FishbowlNY's launch

Maer Roshan's third incarnation of Radar is launching much like his second: rumors of a new round of investors, followed by rumors of new high-profile staffers, followed by a story in the New York Times about how it will roll out as a Web property before publishing a print edition — with Roshan explaining why it didn't work last time, and why it will now.

So, who's in?

Senior editors Tyler Gray and Mac Montandon, and deputy editor Christopher Tennant ... Jeff Bercovici, who will edit Radar's daily Fresh Intelligence column with Marcus Baram, a former editor at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Observer. Senior writer John Cook, a former culture critic and television columnist for the Chicago Tribune, will report investigative pieces for both the magazine and the website. Aaron Gell, former senior features editor at W, and Leigh Ann Boutwell, former managing editor of Cargo, will serve as articles editor and managing editor, respectively. Dale Hrabi, former editorial creative director at Maxim and Details, will be Radar's editor at large.

Now, drumroll, Radar's official re-re-release:

Radar Rides Again — Indie Magazine Secures Long-Term Backing Key Hires Announced Today; Online Version Debuts This Summer; Mag Hits Newsstands Next Year

NEW YORK, June 29 /PRNewswire/ — Radar, the irreverent, unstoppable print and online magazine about pop culture, politics, style, and scandal, is back in business. Maer Roshan, the magazine's founder and editor in chief, announced today the magazine's daily website, radaronline.com, will go live this summer. The print edition will return to newsstands in early 2007. The multiyear, multimillion-dollar investment to relaunch the title is being funded by Integrity Multimedia Company LLC, a Chicago-based media company led by Yusef Jackson.

An independent general-interest magazine targeted at a sophisticated young audience, Radar was launched on a modest budget by a team of leading editors and writers in 2003. It quickly became one of the most talked-about new titles of the decade, thanks to a steady stream of newsmaking articles, ranging from an expose of Tom Cruise's ties to the Church of Scientology to an incisive look at the lives of American soldiers in Iraq. Roshan said that many of Radar's writers and editors are returning to the magazine, including senior editors Tyler Gray and Mac Montandon, and deputy editor Christopher Tennant.

Other hires include Jeff Bercovici, former media editor for Women's Wear Daily, who recently signed on as a senior writer. Bercovici will edit Radar's daily Fresh Intelligence column with Marcus Baram, a former editor at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Observer. Senior writer John Cook, a former culture critic and television columnist for the Chicago Tribune, will report investigative pieces for both the magazine and the website. Aaron Gell, former senior features editor at W, and Leigh Ann Boutwell, former managing editor of Cargo, will serve as articles editor and managing editor, respectively. Dale Hrabi, former editorial creative director at Maxim and Details, will be Radar's editor at large.

"Maer Roshan has attracted an amazing cast of talented editors and contributors who have demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with both readers and advertisers," Jackson said. He noted that Radar, which suspended publication last December, had achieved a sell-through of over 40 percent in key markets, while attracting a diverse group of blue-chip brands including Prada, Ford, Target, Gap, AOL, and HBO. "Radar has consistently attracted a loyal audience," Jackson said. "What it has lacked is a solid business plan and a committed investment. That's where we come in." To head up Radar's business operations, Jackson recently hired David Aimone as chief operating officer. Aimone, a longtime executive at Conde Nast, has 20 years of experience in sales and business development at leading magazines such as TV Guide and Reader's Digest. Most recently, he was Vice President of business operations at Golf Digest Publications, a division of Conde Nast.

Radar's new team is currently retooling its website, radaronline.com, which will serve up a daily dose of exclusive news, features, and gossip, along with original video content. While Radar has continued to evolve, Roshan said its mission remains the same. "We started this venture because we believed there was a real market for a funny, honest title that didn't pull any punches," he said. "Launching an indie magazine hasn't always been easy, but the phenomenal response Radar has received has kept us going. We're grateful to our readers and advertisers for their loyal support, and thrilled to have found backers who share our passion for smart, hard-hitting journalism."