Did Jolie, Pitt manipulate People magazine?

Friday People magazine editor Larry Hackett denied in an internal memo questionable editorial practices as reported in The New York Times page 1 story alleging People magazine compromised their "editorial plan" in exchange for exclusive baby photos from Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The New York Times reports Jolie & Pitt negotiated "positive coverage" in the winning magazine as a part of the deal.