Hearst Magazines Names Three Editors-In-Chief: Stephen Drucker to Lead Town&Country; Newell Turner Becomes Editor-In-Chief of House Beautiful; Dara Caponigro Named Editor-In-Chief of VERANDA

NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearst Magazines, one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, today named three new editors to its portfolio of titles. These include: Stephen Drucker as editor-in-chief of Town&Country; Newell Turner as editor-in-chief of House Beautiful; and Dara Caponigro as editor-in-chief of VERANDA. The announcement was made by Cathleen P. Black, president, Hearst Magazines, to whom all three editors will report.

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Drucker joins Town&Country on April 20 from House Beautiful, where he had been editor-in-chief since October 2005. Concurrently, Turner is promoted to editor-in-chief from his position as style director of House Beautiful, and Caponigro rejoins the company on April 15 in her new role at VERANDA.

Drucker succeeds Pamela Fiori, Town&Country's editor-in-chief since 1993, who will become editor-at-large and work on Town&Country-related books and editorial projects. Caponigro succeeds Lisa Newsom, VERANDA's founder and editor-in-chief since 1987, who will also become an editor-at-large and oversee VERANDA-related books and editorial projects.

"Stephen, Newell and Dara are highly creative, talented and successful editors with extensive backgrounds across a wide and diverse group of magazines," Black said. "They all bring exciting new ideas and energy to their positions. I am confident that they will build on the distinguished work of their predecessors and will lead Town&Country, House Beautiful and VERANDA, respectively, to many more years of continued success with readers and advertisers."

“We thank Pamela and Lisa for shepherding two of Hearst’s most resplendent titles and representing Hearst and their devoted readers of their magazines with distinction,” said Frank A. Bennack, Jr., vice chairman and chief executive officer, Hearst Corporation. “We look forward to the continuation of the fine traditions each magazine embodies and the introduction of the fresh perspectives that new editors-in-chief will bring.”

Black continued: "Pamela's focus on the 'good life well lived' really resonated with readers and elevated Town&Country to celebrated status. Twenty-three years ago, VERANDA began as Lisa's vision and, by the careful curating of the most beautiful houses and interiors, she created an international brand of the highest level of sophistication, increasing circulation to nearly half a million in the years following its acquisition by Hearst. In Stephen's nearly five years at House Beautiful, he revitalized the magazine, bringing new design talent to its pages as well as major editorial platforms, specifically in the arenas of color and kitchens."

Under Drucker's leadership, House Beautiful enjoyed accelerating newsstand growth, up nearly 20 percent since he took over in October 2005, and was named to Advertising Age's "A List" in 2008. Prior to joining Hearst Magazines, Drucker was a contributing writer for Architectural Digest from 2001 to 2005. Previously, he was executive vice president of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living from 1996 to 2001. Before that, Drucker was executive editor of Travel + Leisure and features director of HG magazine. From 1988 to 1992, he worked at the New York Times, where he was editor of the "Home" section and created the Sunday "Styles" section.

“Town&Country has been an iconic brand for more than 160 years, evolving with the times but always recognizable as a symbol of quality and luxury,” Drucker said. “I plan to build on the T&C tradition of reflecting our readers’ lives, passions and pursuits, while adding exciting new contemporary voices and ideas to the already successful mix.”

"It's been a privilege and an honor to lead Town&Country for these past 17 years," Fiori said. "I look forward to working with Stephen in this important transition and leading a variety of projects to extend the Town&Country brand. This new role allows me to continue to give our readers the best of what we have to offer."

Turner, who has been style director of House Beautiful under Drucker since January 2006, was editor-in-chief of the Cottages & Gardens Publications—Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Palm Beach Cottages & Gardens and Connecticut Cottages & Gardens—from 2002 to 2006.  Prior to that, he was style director for Gruner + Jahr's HomeStyle and, before that, managing editor for Internet startup Room12.com. From 1997 to 2000, he was style editor of House & Garden and earlier in his career held several senior positions at Metropolitan Home.  

“Working with Stephen Drucker these past four years has been such a privilege; it is so rewarding to be a part of the success of the magazine,” Turner said. “House Beautiful documents the trends in American design, inspiring readers with ideas, information and expert opinions. I’m ready to continue that conversation.”

Caponigro was a founding editor of Domino, where she was style director from 2004 to 2009. During that time, the magazine was nominated for two National Magazine Awards. Prior to that, she spent 12 years at House Beautiful in a variety of editorial positions, including southern editor within the design and decoration department. Caponigro also created and owned a business dealing in European antiques. She began her career at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.

"VERANDA's graciousness and refinement make it a truly unique shelter magazine," Caponigro said. "It is a luxurious, glossy read for a global audience of design aficionados and I'm eager to excite them with new sources, new designers and amazing locations."

VERANDA celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007 and will continue to have offices in New York and Atlanta. It was acquired by Hearst Magazines in 2002 and is distributed throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

"Growing VERANDA into the prestige brand it is today is a great source of pride, and I look forward to developing even more interesting ways to share it with design connoisseurs around the world," Newsom said.

House Beautiful (www.housebeautiful.com) is a leading authority on American home design and decoration, reaching more than seven million readers every month.  Founded in 1896, House Beautiful is the oldest continuously published shelter magazine in the United States. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with the House Beautiful mobile site (m.housebeautiful.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, House Beautiful publishes two international editions.

Town&Country (www.townandcountrymag.com) is America's longest continuously published general interest magazine. It was established in 1846 (before the Civil War).  Today, it is the premier luxury lifestyle magazine in America, edited for the country's most sophisticated, affluent and accomplished women. Town&Country Weddings, established in 2003, is published twice a year.

VERANDA (www.veranda.com) is one of the world's most exquisitely produced interior design magazines. Published eight times a year, it is distinguished by its artful representation of interiors and gardens, showcasing the country's leading designers. Authoritative articles on the decorative arts, books, collectibles, luxury goods, unusual travel destinations, must-see art exhibitions, renowned architects and the latest in outstanding furnishings round out each issue.  

Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com), one of the nation's largest diversified communications companies with interests in magazines, newspapers, digital media, business media and television. Hearst Magazines publishes nearly than 200 editions around the world, including 15 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United Kingdom, published through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (73.8 million total adults, according to MRI, Fall 2009).

SOURCE Hearst Magazines