The former president and CEO of the National Magazine Company – Hearst’s international publishing arm in the UK – has passed away aged 81.
Terence Mansfield, who died on March 28, is described as a legend of magazine publishing and was awarded a CBE in 2002 for his service to the industry.
“Terry was an international publishing icon,” said Frank Bennack, Jr., executive vice chairman and former chief executive officer of Hearst.
“His career spanned half a century and included magazine publishing activities in almost 40 countries. As the first non-American director on Hearst’s board, Terry brought a global perspective that few could match. His excitement about the business was infectious and eternal.”
Mansfield served in Britain’s Royal Air Force for two years, stationed on Christmas Island in the Pacific, where he worked within the Forces Broadcasting Service.[advert position=”left”]
He began his 50-year career in advertising and publishing in 1961 at Condé Nast, where he worked as an assistant advertising manager and sales rep on a variety of titles.
In 1966, he moved to Queen magazine, where he stayed for three years before Queen was acquired by National Magazine Company in 1969.
While at National Magazine Company, he had ascending advertising sales roles at Harper’s BAZAAR, which became Harper’s & Queen when the two magazines merged.
He rose to become the magazine’s publisher for five years, before being promoted to a succession of management roles in the company. He was named president and CEO in 2002, following a decades-long tenure as managing director of National Magazine Company. Though he retired officially in 2003, he remained a consultant to Hearst, focusing on new business development and scouting young talent across the UK and in Europe.
Mansfield was also a member of Hearst’s board of directors for almost 10 years, starting in 1993. In taking on Hearst board duties, Mansfield became the first non-American to be so appointed in the corporation’s then 106-year-old history.
He once calculated that over the course of his career in magazines, he had conducted business in at least 38 countries.
Mansfield received numerous civic and industry honours, including the Freedom of the City of London award, the accolade of Publishing Personality of the Year and, in 2001, the Marcus Morris Award in recognition of his outstanding career contributions to magazine publishing.
He is survived by his wife, Helen, two daughters, Victoria and Anna, and their respective families.
