• by Sara Guaglione , April 14, 2016

Joseph Messer has been promoted to publisher of Travel + Leisure, Evelyn Webster, EVP of Time Inc., announced Wednesday.

Messer will replace outgoing publisher Jay Meyer, who Webster called "a dedicated leader." He will report to SVP and publishing director Steven DeLuca. The promotion is effective immediately.

Messer most recently served as associate publisher of Food & Wine. Per a company statement, he was “instrumental in creating many of the brand’s largest integrated programs,” and collaborated with clients like California Grown and San Pellegrino.

The San Pellegrino deal featured more than 200 pieces of custom content and is the largest advertising deal in the history of Food & Wine, according to Webster.

Webster wrote of Messer in an internal memo: “His ability to find and cultivate talent and inspire teamwork, combined with his proven sales skills and experience creating innovative marketing programs, makes him the ideal person to lead Travel + Leisure, along with editor Nathan Lump, as we continue to build on the brand’s recent momentum.”

This marks a return to Travel + Leisure for Messer. Before joining Food & Wine in November 2012, he was a member of Travel + Leisure's sales team for more than seven years.

Meyer is leaving the position after working for Time Inc. for 19 years.