Needham, who joins the magazine on July 8, replaces Robert Love, who was asked to step down after 20 years in the role by Rolling Stone editor-in-chief and publisher Jann Wenner, who wants to revamp the title.
Wenner is understood to be planning to replace some of the magazine's traditionally long features with more news and shorter articles and introducing shorter publsihing deadlines. He is also understood to be looking to increase the title's fashion content.
Although Needham was not the only choice for the job -- the post is also reported to have been offered to Time magazine senior nation editor Eric Pooley -- his choice makes sense given his experience in fashion writing.
While at Emap, Needham launched FHM Collections, a twice yearly fashion supplement in the UK and the US.
Needham's move to Rolling Stone follows an eight-year stint at Emap, which saw him promoted to editor of the UK FHM in 1997, after three years on the title as a section editor and feature writer.
During the two years he was editor of the UK edition, Needham is credited with building it into the biggest monthly magazine in the UK. After a year as editor, FHM's circulation grew 76% to 644,000.
He had similar success with the US version, which he launched in 1999.
Needham is the second former Emap journalist and Brit to join Rolling Stone. Former Q art director Andy Cowles recently joined the magazine as art director after a short period on the now defunct magazine Mademoiselle.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .
_1.jpg)
.jpg)
