No word yet on whether Three Chord Johnny will add "I Am the Walrus" to its repetoire.

Former Toronto Life editor John Macfarlane will serve as part-time interim editor and co-publisher of The Walrus while the magazine searches for a full-time chief.  

"We are delighted John has agreed to help us manage this change," Walrus publisher Shelley Ambrose said in a press release. "His experience and expertise in magazine editing and publishing is unparalleled."

Macfarlane, who stepped down as TL's editor in December, will temporarily fill the space left by Ken Alexander, who resigned as Walrus EIC last month.

"It would have been difficult for me to turn my back on The Walrus in a time of need," Macfarlane said.  "Canada needs and deserves a magazine with its literary and intellectual aspirations. It's been remarkably successful in its short lifetime. I'm simply lending a hand until we find an editor who can make it even moreso."

The 66-year-old Macfarlane will continue to serve as a member of the advisory board of St. Joseph Communications (which owns Toronto Life) and was recently elected chairman of the board of the Canadian Journalism Foundation.

Art director De Luca departing

In related news, Walrus art director Antonio De Luca, who has been with the magazine for five years, announced last week that he will be leaving.

"It has been a rich experience," De Luca said. "We have all contributed as a whole to making this magazine important and award-winning. My departure has nothing to do with anything other than my need to fulfill other creative parts that will only help me aspire to reaching my own human potential. I leave The Walrus knowing there are excellent people here to continue the incredible work we have done thus far."

Related links

• "Former Toronto Life editor to take Walrus reins" [Globe and Mail]