Hearst mag staffers fear ‘whacky’ bosses

Winter could be coming to Hearst. Staffers at the publishing giant have grown increasingly worried in recent weeks that a “Game of Thrones”-style bloodbath is looming — and that top print editors could be among the first targets, sources told The Post.

Speculation intensified after Troy Young — who earned the reputation of a decisive, if not hard-knuckled, manager during his five years at the helm of Hearst’s digital division — was named president of Hearst Magazines late last month.

Sources said top editors at Hearst’s print magazines are thought to be under review. The Post earlier reported that Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Michele Promaulayko is rumored to be a possible casualty.

Hearst didn’t respond to requests for comment.

When Young took control of digital ops in 2013, he was charged with building up the sites of titles like Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar.

Digital editors reported to him rather than the print editors, which not only rankled the big egos at Hearst Tower but also sent smoke signals that digital was more important to the future of the company.

The two units are beginning to converge, insiders say, with digital editors and sales execs replacing their print counterparts, as Hearst Magazines looks to stem print revenue declines and expand its digital division.

Young’s second-in-command, Kate Lewis — who was recently named chief content officer after the publisher let go of its most well-known exec, Joanna Coles — is said to be sharpening the ax.

A former human resources exec from rival Condé Nast, Lewis has a knack for firing people “with a smile,” a source said.

On the day Young was promoted, Lewis circulated a memo to digital staffers, obtained by The Post, reassuring them that their new leader knows who has his back.

“Because of the great work we did, Troy got this job,” Lewis said, before turning to the big question of what Young’s promotion meant for them.

“For the moment, it means do your thing,” Lewis offered.