Major New Editorial and Leadership Roles at Hearst

by Eddie Roche

As predicted, major changes have hit Hearst Magazines. The biggest news is the closing of Redbook‘s print edition, which will become an online-only destination after the January 2019 issue. “Redbook has a long, proud history of informing and enlightening its audience, and it’s been part of our portfolio for more than 35 years,” said Troy Young, Hearst president, in a statement released today. “We thank the team for their dedication and contributions to the magazine.” Other decisions announced by Young and Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz include…

  • Jessica Pels has been named editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, overseeing content strategy and editorial operations in print, digital, social and video. Pels held senior editorial roles at Glamour and Teen Vogue before joining Hearst Magazines in 2014. She was previously digital director of Cosmopolitan.com.  Pels replaces Michele Promaulayko, who is leaving the company.
  • Women’s Health Editor-in-Chief Liz Plosser will now oversee print and digital content for the brand. Plosser joined Women’s Health in January from Well+Good, where she was vice president of content. Previously, Plosser was director of content and communications at SoulCycle and before that, she was deputy editor at SELF and senior health and fitness editor at Cosmopolitan.
  • Kristin Koch has been named executive director of Seventeen.com, and will oversee all content for the brand. A further evolution of the brand’s digital-first strategy, Koch–who was previously digital director–will also edit Seventeen’s print issues. She replaces Joey Bartolomeo, who is leaving the company.
  • Ryan D’Agostino, editor-in-chief of Popular Mechanics, adds responsibility for the brand’s digital operations. Before joining Popular Mechanics in 2014, D’Agostino was articles editor at Esquire, which he joined in 2006.
  • Joanna Saltz has been named editorial director of House Beautiful, directing print and digital content across platforms. Saltz joined Hearst Magazines in 2004 as deputy editor of Seventeen. She was promoted to executive editor and went on to hold the same role at Food Network Magazine. In 2015, she moved into a digital role to relaunch Delish as a video-first digital destination for food lovers. Saltz added editorial direction of HouseBeautiful.com in June, and she will continue to oversee both brands. Saltz replaces Sophie Donelson, who is leaving the company.

A few more changes: Ryan D’Agostino, currently editor-in-chief of Popular Mechanics, will now oversee the brand’s digital operation as well. Steele Marcoux has been named editor-in-chief of VERANDA, where she’ll lead editorial initiatives across print and digital for the luxury interior design brand. VERANDA plans to move editorial operations to operations to Birmingham, Alabama.

The new editorial leaders will report to Kate Lewis, Hearts Magazines chief content officer.

New business leadership appointments will report to Michael Clinton, Hearst Magazines president, marketing and publishing director. Pat Haegele, senior vice president, group publishing director of the Women’s Lifestyle Group, adds a publishing strategy function to her role, with a focus on maximizing efforts in the marketplace and generating new revenue opportunities. Haegele oversees sales, marketing and brand strategy for Good HousekeepingCountry LivingWoman’s Day, Redbook and Prevention. Jack Essig, senior vice president, publishing director of Esquire and Popular Mechanics, expands his responsibilities to include Men’s HealthRunner’s World and Bicycling. Paul Collins, publisher and chief revenue officer of Runner’s World and Bicycling will report to Essig. Ronan Gardiner will be leaving the company.

Hearst Magazines’ print and digital assets reach a combined audience of 145 million readers and site visitors each month.

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