Weider Publications Inc

Weider Publications Inc. may have grown over 60 years into the fitness industry leader based on founder and muscle guru Joe Weider's sweating-in-the-gym philosophy, but the company's new chief executive sees its future as closer in spirit to lifestyle maven Martha Stewart. Weider has brought in A.

Did the godfather of muscle magazines use a body double? A former Mr. Universe, Robby Robinson, has filed a lawsuit claiming that Joe Weider is passing off Robinson's spectacularly beefy body as his own in the corporate logo for the Weider publishing and sales empire.

Did the godfather of muscle magazines use a body double? A former Mr. Universe, Robby Robinson, has filed a lawsuit claiming that Joe Weider is passing off Robinson's spectacularly beefy body as his own in the corporate logo for the Weider publishing and sales empire.

American Media Inc., owner of the National Enquirer and the Star, said Wednesday that it would buy fitness publisher Weider Publications for $350 million to expand into consumer magazines. Boca Raton, Fla.-based American Media, which has pursued Weider since September, would gain seven magazines, including Shape, Flex and Men's Fitness.

American Media Inc., owner of the National Enquirer and the Star, said Wednesday that it would buy fitness publisher Weider Publications for $350 million to expand into consumer magazines. Boca Raton, Fla.-based American Media, which has pursued Weider since September, would gain seven magazines, including Shape, Flex and Men's Fitness.

* Mike Sage has stepped down as executive vice president and general manager of Sage Auto Group, the Los Angeles-based group of Nissan and Infiniti dealerships. He said he will become president and chief executive of Torrance-based Manhattan Projects, a newly formed software development company focused on customer relationship management issues for the auto industry. * Robert Washburn Jr. has been promoted to executive vice president, group publishing director of Weider Publications Inc.

On a December afternoon, Martha Stewart, Gloria Steinem and dozens of ad agency and New York media types accepted publisher Dale W. Lang's invitation to lunch in the Rainbow Room. What an occasion it was--good food and a grand view high above Rockefeller Center highlighting the 20th anniversary of Lang's Working Woman and the magazine's coup in getting Microsoft chairman Bill Gates as the luncheon speaker.

Weider Publications Inc. may have grown over 60 years into the fitness industry leader based on founder and muscle guru Joe Weider's sweating-in-the-gym philosophy, but the company's new chief executive sees its future as closer in spirit to lifestyle maven Martha Stewart. Weider has brought in A.