• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, April 11, 2008

In the wake of its successful forum on global warming co-hosted with the Aspen Institute, National Geographic is going to launch new events addressing the same theme, according to Claudia Malley, the magazine's publisher. They will focus on workable solutions for individuals, businesses, and local government.

With sponsorship from GM, Goldman Sachs, Camco, and Duke Energy, the first Aspen Environment Forum brought together speakers from a variety of backgrounds, including science, business and government. The event was covered by National Geographic editors and contributors with live blogs and related custom content on the Web. National Geographic plans to host another event with the Aspen Institute in March 2009.

] On the magazine advertising side, Malley said NatGeo is riding the growing wave of interest in green issues. She touted the publication's long engagement with climate change (its first article on the subject was published in 1974) and general reputation as a trustworthy source, making it an ideal place for "green" advertisers, especially with the launch of its Green Guide quarterly.

Parade Wants HealthyStyle

Not long after the Publishing Group of America announced it is launching Spry, a new monthly newspaper-distributed magazine focusing on health and lifestyle, competitor Parade said it is planning a similar publication called HealthyStyle, which will launch in September with a circulation of 8 million, distributed via Parade's various newspaper partners.

Newsweek Cuts 111 Staffers

Last week Newsweek trimmed 111 employees--or 20% of its total staff, including a number of senior editorial personnel--with a buyout offer that allows at least some of them to convert to freelance-style contracts with the publication. Overall, 150 staffers received the offer from editor John Meacham. Since 2003, the publication has trimmed about 200 staffers, or about 28% of its workforce, as rival Time has also wielded the axe. In the second half of last year, Newsweek recorded a 9.3% decline in newsstand sales to 100,902, compared to the first half of 2006, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations. It also saw a 9% drop in readership since spring 2005, from 20.26 million to 18.4 million, according to MRI.

Reader's Digest Association to Power ShoptoCook Kiosks

The Reader's Digest Association will become the exclusive provider of media content to ShoptoCook, which operates a chain of interactive kiosks that allow shoppers to browse meal ideas and recipes and print free coupons during their visit to the supermarket. The deal means that shoppers will have access to recipes, shopping lists, food preparation tips and pairing suggestions from RDA's titles and Web properties, including Every Day with Rachael Ray, Taste of Home and Allrecipes.com. It also means that RDA will be able to offer advertisers a variety of integrated placements in the shopper browsing experience.

Atlantic Will Sell Stake in 02138

Atlantic Media is selling its majority share in 02138 magazine, a custom publication targeting Harvard alumni, to Sandow Media, according to WWD. 02138 was launched in fall 2006, with the Atlantic touting its obvious appeal as a title reaching highly educated, affluent professionals.

Details' New Publisher: Steve DeLuca

Steve DeLuca has been named the vice president and publisher of Details, in a continuing series of personnel shuffles at the high-end magazine publisher. He comes to the post from Conde Nast Traveler, where he was associate publisher.

Jewish Living Gets New Publisher: Anne Triece

Jewish Living magazine has named Anne Triece as its new publisher, according to founder Daniel Zimmerman. Triece previously served as vice president and publisher of Metropolitan Home for over a decade, and also held senior positions at Home and Prevention. Jewish Living, launched last year, targets affluent Jewish women ages 25-54.

Economist CEO Helen Alexander Moves to Bain

Helen Alexander is stepping down as the CEO of the Economist Group, according to the Times of London, which reported that she has been hired as an adviser to Bain Capital, a private equity group. Alexander also holds non-executive positions with Rolls Royce and Centrica. On July 16th, Alexander's title will be handed to Andrew Rashbass, who has served as publisher and managing director of the Economist for the last three years.