Binn's New Boston Book Blurs the Line

Alex Beam writes in the Boston Globe about a new magazine on the scene called "Boston Common," written for the rich, which blurs the distinction between advertising and editorial. The new mag is published by Jason Binn, a 37-year-old BU grad who publishes similar books in Washington and New York City.

"A glance inside Binn's glossy covers shows the symbiotic nature of Niche's journalism. Fox News advertises in Binn's Washington magazine; two of its anchor people appear in a ''power" profile. (''It's their first ad ever," Binn says.) An article in Capitol File reports that Barneys New York's creative director and his partner ''both have new projects bringing them to D.C."; Barneys appears on Niche's list of national advertisers. ''They don't advertise in Capitol File," Binn says. ''There is no connection whatsoever."

"Dual agendas abound. Aerosmith's Steven Tyler appears on the inaugural cover of Boston Common, and he happens to be plugging a new clothing line. Larry King is a contributor to the Washington magazine, advertises his charitable foundation in the magazine, and appears in a full-page photograph attending one of Binn's bashes. ''So Larry King likes to come to our parties," says Atkinson. ''What's the big deal?"

'His magazines are a perfect example of when marketing and journalism merge into one entity,' says Samir Husni, chairman of the journalism department at the University of Mississippi. ''I know a lot of people in the media hate his guts, but it's a matter of jealousy. I think he's doing a marvelous job."