Erik Hoopingarner became the latest hire on the business side for W. He'll join the fashion magazine as sales development director, coming from Elite Traveler where he served as managing director, group sales after leaving a career in the financial sector.

In July, Marnie Lefcoe Braverman joined the magazine as associate publisher, marketing. She had held the same position at Reader's Digest Group.

Hoopingarner will be tasked with turning around falling ad sales figures. The fact that Conde Nast recently canceled its "Movies Rock" insert, which boosted December numbers, won't help matters.

NEW YORK, September 26, 2008 — Erik Hoopingarner has been named Sales Development Director at W, it was announced today by W's Vice President and Publisher, Nina Lawrence. His appointment is effective September 29th.

Most recently, Mr. Hoopingarner served as Managing Director, Group Sales at Elite Traveler. Prior to that, he worked in the financial services industry at the Washington Mutual Bank, Waddell and Reed Financial Services, and First Republic Bank.

Conde Nast Publications, a unit of Advance Publications, includes twenty-six consumer magazines and their Web sites, eight uniquely branded websites, the Fairchild Fashion Group, Parade, the Conde Nast Media Group, and the Shared Services Centers.