NatMag-Rodale Poaches Hachette Director As First MD
NatMag-Rodale, the joint venture created between The National Magazine Company and Rodale International in May 2004, has appointed Rita Lewis as its first managing director.
Lewis is a leading figure in the British magazine industry, having held senior positions at Emap, IPC and, most recently, as publishing director at Hachette Filipacchi. The move will see her oversee NatMag-Rodale as it publishes Men’s Health and Runner’s World in the UK under long-term licence from American publisher, Rodale International, as well as preparing several new launches.
Commenting on the appointment, Duncan Edwards, managing director of The National Magazine Company, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Rita to NatMag-Rodale. Rita has a huge amount of experience and an enviable track record in magazine publishing. It is testament to the strength of the Men’s Health and Runner’s World brands that we have been able to attract someone of Rita’s calibre to the business.”
Gianni Crespi, president of Rodale International added: “I am confident that Rita will prove an inspiring leader for the NatMag-Rodale team. Rita is joining at a crucial time for the business, there are many exciting plans to grow NatMag-Rodale in 2005.”
The new position will see Lewis reporting into the NatMag-Rodale board and taking responsibility for all aspects of the new business, including magazines, online, brand extensions and new product development. The new position takes her from Hachette Filipacchi UK where she has been publishing director of Red and B since January 2004.
Commenting on her new position, Lewis said: “I am proud to be invited to take up a position which offers me the opportunity to work with such strong award winning brands and to further grow the NatMag-Rodale business. The NatMag-Rodale mission: to inspire and enable people to improve their lives and the world around them, is an ethos I am passionate about.”
NatMag-Rodale was created in May 2004, promising the launch of a range of new health and fitness titles. At the time of the company’s launch Duncan Edwards, managing director of Natmags, set out the company’s strategy, stating: “We will maximise cross-promotion opportunities including marketing, subscriptions and advertising sales. Our companies have identified long-term growth in the UK health and fitness market, and between our in-depth market knowledge and Rodale’s 60 year history in the category, we will be perfectly positioned to respond to growing consumer demand in this area” (see Natmags Forms New Joint Venture Company With Rodale).
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