A rift is developing between Martha Stewart and the newly crowned co-CEO of her company, Wenda Harris Millard, The Post has learned.
According to multiple sources close to either Stewart or Millard, the pair isn’t seeing eye-to-eye on a number of operational issues and has not yet “gotten on the same page” since Millard was named co-CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in June.
According to sources, rumors of the spat are so widespread that companies in the online-advertising world from which Millard hails are keeping a close watch on the situation, hoping that things get bad enough that they can steal her away.
“It’s no secret that Martha isn’t the easiest person to work for,” said a source close to Millard. “It wouldn’t be the end of the world if [Millard] were to leave.”
Indeed, people familiar with the matter blamed part of the friction on differences between the women’s personalities and expectations.
Sources painted Stewart as a hard-charging entrepreneur who has issues with giving up control. Meanwhile, Millard is described as too quick to delegate responsibilities, and appears less comfortable and sure of herself as a CEO than she was as a salesperson.
“Martha likes to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty; Wenda doesn’t,” said one source close to both women.
Another source said Millard’s strength is in getting out and pitching to people, rather than managing a profit-and-loss statement.
In an interview with The Post, Millard conceded that there was “healthy debate” within the company, but she denied any row between her and Stewart.
“I’ve worked with Martha in some capacity for more than four years, and I deeply admire and respect her,” Millard said. “We’ve made enormous strides together and I’m looking forward to more great things to come.”
Millard was named co-CEO along with onetime Kate Spade President Robin Marino after Susan Lyne stepped down as president and CEO in June. At the time, several analysts questioned the wisdom of splitting the top job between two executives, saying it could give rise to tension.
The Post first reported that Lyne was looking to exit the company several months before she announced her resignation, although she denied that she planned to leave in a subsequent memo to employees.
If the friction between the women gets so bad that Stewart pushes Millard out or Millard begins looking to leave, one open position that she is certainly qualified for would be the top job at Microsoft’s Internet business.
Microsoft said it would conduct a search for someone to lead its online business – including its search and advertising operations – after Kevin Johnson left in July. It has yet to announce a new hire.
Before joining Martha Stewart, Millard was the well-regarded chief sales officer for Yahoo!, which she left last year. She is credited with persuading big-brand advertisers to spend more money online and making Yahoo! the leader in the display-ad business.