Brenda Saget Darling

“Brenda has it all — a deep passion for design, a great knowledge of the lifestyle space and a strong print and digital background, and I am thrilled to have her partnership,” said Kate Kelly Smith, senior vice president, publishing director, for Hearst Design Group. “She is the perfect addition to our stellar team.”

Saget Darling begins at Hearst November 12.

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Katie Brockman

“Veranda is on fire and has firmly staked its place in the luxury lifestyle category,” said Kate Kelly Smith, senior vice president, publishing director, Hearst Design Group, in a statement. “Brockman has been the lynchpin of Veranda’s unprecedented growth and I can’t think of a better partner to join me in continuing to grow the brand.”

Brockman’s appointment is effective immediately and she will report to Kelly Smith.

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Avi Zimak

“From our HB Connect app that allows readers to access videos and additional content via their smartphones and tablets to being the first print-to-pin magazine making our pages pinnable on Pinterest, House Beautiful is the most progressive brand in engaging the reader with a ‘live paper’ experience across digital platforms,” said Kate Kelly Smith, senior vice president, publishing director of Hearst Design Group, and chief revenue officer of House Beautiful. “We’ve searched for the perfect fit in someone who has digital expertise combined with a solid print background. Avi brings all of that to House Beautiful, and more.”

Zimak’s new role is effective September 4.

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James B. Meigs, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Mechanics, has been named Editorial Director for the newly created Men’s Enthusiast Group. Meigs will now oversee Popular Mechanics as well as new titles Car and Driver and Road & Track.

Additionally, Patricia Haegele, Senior Vice President, Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer of Good Housekeeping, is now Publishing Director, and Kate Kelly Smith, Vice President, Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer of House Beautiful, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Publishing Director. Both Haegele and Kelly Smith will oversee several magazines in their new positions.

This is likely just the beginning of a whole slew of changes, which means FishbowlNY will have to stay extra sharp on all the names and titles that will be flying around, but for Hearst Magazines, it’s a good problem to have.

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— DIANE CLEHANE

We were grateful that several faithful Lunch readers emailed to let us know  Bill Clinton was at Michael’s yesterday. Thanks guys! I guess Mr. Clinton didn’t get the memo stipulating that all A-listers book their lunch dates for Wednesdays. Oh, well. Seems the former president was lunching with Harvey Weinstein to settle a bet on Harvey’s little production company winning an Oscar for The King’s Speech. These two under-the-radar guys were accompanied by a squadron of (Clinton) handlers and Secret Service men who were stationed all over the restaurant.  Sorry we missed all the excitement!

Today, things got off to a slightly late start (1:00 pm is the new noon if you’re keeping tracking of such things), but the dining room quickly filled up with plenty of master of the universe types (Barry! Woody!) who are always interesting to observe in their  natural habitat.  All I can say is french fries must be brain food.  I expect the place to be going full-tilt tomorrow night when The Kelly Gang hosts The 7th Annual Kelly Gang St. Patrick’s Day Benefit. The organization’s founders include The New York Post’s Keith Kelly, House Beautiful publisher Kate Kelly Smith and NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. The ‘Gang’ is back in full swing after taking a hiatus last year and is expecting a huge turnout to raise money for this year’s beneficiaries: Catholic Relief Services in Haiti and Tuesday’s Children. So, if you’re looking for a great St. Pat’s celebration that is doing a lot of good, stop by Thursday night and bring your checkbook.

Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:

1. Legendary crooner Neil Sedaka, sporting sneakers and a jaunty beret with a chic looking lady and a fellow we didn’t get to meet. We overheard Neil say that his son, Marc Sedaka, was on the Today show this morning alongside wife Samantha to talk about Marc’s new book, What He Can Expect When She’s Not Expecting. The book deals with how a spouse can support a wife’s struggle with infertility. Talk about an evolved man! Impressive.

2. Jets owner Woody Johnson, who hobbled in on crutches. Hope you’re on the mend soon.

3. ‘Mayor’ Joe Armstrong with Peter Jennings’ widow, Kayce Freed.  Kayce, a former producer of 20/20, is the co-founder of The Documentary Group which produced the much lauded To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports for ABC News which chronicled his recovery from his near fatal brain injury.

4. Barry Diller and an unidentified important looking gent

continued…

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