Commentary

'Redbook' to End Print Edition in 2019, Hearst Overhauls Top Editors

Hearst announced yesterday that 115-year-old Redbook would cease print publication in January of 2019, becoming a digital-only brand.

Just last week, the New York Post reported that many speculated the closure of the print edition was coming, particularly since the role of editor-in-chief had been left empty following Meredith Rollins exit last year. Hearst had published the title for the past 35 years. 

The latest of the Seven Sisters to cease regular publication — McCall’s shuttered in 2002 and Ladies’ Home Journal stopped monthly publication and became a special interest title in 2014 — Redbook’s transition comes as Hearst adopts a digital future.

In a statement, Hearst Magazines President Troy Young wrote: “Our teams are embracing cross-platform brand alignment, which will foster even greater idea sharing, more ambitious content creation and the development of strategic business initiatives, all of which benefit our audience, both consumer and commercial."

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The company also announced expanded duties for many of its top editors. 

Men’s Health EIC Richard Dorment will now oversee the print publication and MensHealth.com and Liz Plosser, EIC of Women’s Health, will also over see all print and digital content for that brand. EIC Ryan D’Agonstino at Popular Mechanics will have similar duties.

Previously reported by Publishing InsiderYoung was said to be evaluating the strengths of his staff as he pivots the publisher’s future to digital. Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar were said to be under particularly intense scrutiny.

However, yesterday, the company announced a slew of changes to many of its iconic titles, with new editorial tasks in line with Young’s digital vision.

Jessica Pels replaces Michele Promaulayko as EIC of Cosmopolitan, where she was previously digital director of Cosmopolitan.com. According to Hearst, the site achieved record traffic in May with 26 million unique visitors.

At House Beautiful, Joanna Saltz has been named editorial director, replacing Sophie Donelson. Saltz became editorial director of HouseBeautiful.com in June and relaunched Delish as a video-first digital destination in 2015. She will oversee both the print and digital editions of House Beautiful.

Kristin Koch is now executive director of Seventeen.com. She was previously the site’s digital director. Koch replaces Joey Bartolomeo and will also edit the magazine’s print issues.

Additionally, Steele Marcoux has been named EIC of Veranda, where she will oversee print and digital operations. The magazine’s operations will relocate to Birmingham, Alabama.

Speaking about the new promotions, Hearst Magazines Chief Content Officer Kate Lewis stated: “These versatile editors are experts at creating content and experiences that engage and entertain audiences. They understand their readers in a very profound way, and they’re passionate about producing stories in all formats, on all platforms, that inform, surprise, drive conversation and create a feeling of community.”

Promaulayko, Donelson and Bartolomeo are all exiting the company.

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