Samantha Barry choses Melissa McCarthy to cover first issue of rebranded Glamour Magazine

Cork native and newly minted Editor in Chief of Glamour Samantha Barry is ushering in a new era for the magazine. Here we explore the first release under her tenure, the money-focused issue covered by actress Melissa McCarthy.

Samantha Barry has shared a glimpse into the May issue of the popular women's magazine, complete with a brand new aesthetic.

It’s here. My first issue as Editor in Chief of @glamourmag. We’ve done a redesign, have four new verticals and this issue we are concentrating on Money. Read my ed letter (link in bio) as I explain why money is an important issue for us to cover...#brandnewglamour

A post shared by Samantha Barry (@sammybarrynews) on Apr 23, 2018 at 6:29am PDT

Delving into her new role, the Ballincollig native oversaw a complete redesign and shaking-up of the 79-year-old title.

Barry, whose wealth of experience involves roles at the BBC and CNN, is tasked with making the magazine (which was once the most lucrative in the Condé Nast stable) relevant once more for an engaged and informed digital audience.

Her first port of call for a title that focused strongly on female empowerment under the tenure of outgoing Editor Cindi Leive? Talking about those Benjamins, of course.

In conversation with Business of Fashion, Barry told the outlet that this is first and foremost a publication for smart women. 

Talking money and women, the need for a fuck off fund (might have cleaned that up for broadcast) and the women of crypto currency on @cnbc #squawkalley

A post shared by Samantha Barry (@sammybarrynews) on Apr 24, 2018 at 9:39am PDT

“We changed everything,” the Irish digital media powerhouse said, as she proudly confirmed that Glamour's online entity is raking in almost 7 million unique US visitors as of last month. 

As for the redesign? Creative Director Nathalie Kirsheh oversaw a complete and radical rebranding.

A rather stark close-up shot of actress Melissa McCarthy covers Barry's inaugural issue.   

The real meat lies inside, with May's theme focusing on women and money — how they spend, how they save, how they struggle.

Why You—Yes, You—Need a F*ck-Off Fund: https://t.co/WSUY7Jo8RT pic.twitter.com/piPHMrt4Rt

— Glamour (@glamourmag) April 23, 2018

As mentioned in her Instagram post - the traditional structure has also been chucked out the window. Instead, the magazine is left with four verticals which are #Look, #Feel, #Live and #Think with correlating content that relate to each section.

“I have lofty ambitions for the journalism that will be in Glamour. Hopefully we will be winning a Pulitzer next year, not just GQ," Barry added.

We asked 1,000 women across America about their deepest, darkest money secrets. See the survey findings on how women are spending, investing and thinking about their money: https://t.co/JFIkCTlU4V pic.twitter.com/mTjN4fXmTg

— Glamour (@glamourmag) April 23, 2018

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You can read Barry's first official EIC letter "Our Pledge to Reshape Women's Complicated Relationship with Money" on the Glamour website here.