While the position only became official this week, Picardi has been working with Playboy since November in a consulting capacity, helping to lay the groundwork for what is shaping up to be a broad editorial revival.
In that time, the company has relaunched its print magazine, introduced a new class of Playmates, and launched a Substack newsletter blending new writing with archival material, fiction, and longform essays. The brand is also reviving signature franchises like the Playboy Interview in a video and social-first format.
Picardi will also become the first openly gay man to helm the historically heterosexual outlet, an appointment in line with the broader Playboy ethos of championing progressive causes.
“Queer rights don’t exist without women’s rights,” Picardi said. “These things are connected, and Playboy has always been very engaged with that.”
