Amy Keller Laird Named Editor-in-Chief of Women's Health Magazine

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Schulman, President of Rodale Inc., the world's leading healthy lifestyle company, today announced that Amy Keller Laird has been named Editor-in-Chief of Women's Health, the women's lifestyle magazine brand. She will report to Schulman, effective immediately.

Keller Laird, who joined Women's Health in 2011 as Executive Editor, has been serving as the interim Editor-in-Chief since August. In her new role, she will oversee editorial direction across all brand platforms, including the magazine's print, digital, tablet, and mobile presence.

"Amy's editorial expertise, passion for our mission, and proven ability to connect with a growing audience of readers across all channels make her the ideal candidate to continue Women's Health's incredible global growth trajectory," said Schulman.

As Executive Editor, Keller Laird helped successfully transform Women's Health from a fitness publication to a healthy lifestyle brand that is now one of the fastest-growing women's multi-media brands around the globe. She has been instrumental in establishing Women's Health's unique voice and action-based platform, which has garnered ASME attention for the title three times, including a win in the General Excellence category in 2011.

"It's an amazing opportunity to take the reins of Women's Health," said Keller Laird. "The brand is always evolving in step with our smart, savvy readers, and I am excited to introduce new, fresh franchises to the content our audience loves."

Women's Health continues to be a category leader in the United States. One of only four major titles to experience growth at the newsstand through the first half of 2014, Women's Health has reported consistent circulation increases, strong advertising performance, impressive digital and social expansion, and outstanding multiplatform marketing programs like the Next Fitness Star and RUN10 FEED10.

In 2013, Women's Health took the lead in its competitive set in advertising growth, ending the year up +28% in PIB pages and +34% in revenue, the highest in the brand's history. Year to date, the magazine is outpacing last year's performance with pages and revenue up +1.4% and +6% respectively. Digital sales and marketing innovations for Women's Health have resulted in record-breaking digital growth through August 2014 with an +80% increase in digital ad revenue. (Source: PIB, Jan-Sept '14 vs.'13)

"I've had the pleasure of working closely with Amy since she joined Women's Health three years ago and could not be more excited for her to take the helm," said VP/Publisher Laura Frerer-Schmidt. "Her ability to collaborate and innovate has been a huge asset to our business, and I look forward to partnering with her to continue our success."

The success of Women's Health's U.S. edition has fueled unparalleled international growth. Boasting a record-high global readership of 23 million, with 27 editions in 53 countries, the brand's rapid expansion includes the debut of four new editions in 2014 alone, with more launches planned for 2015.

Keller Laird joined Rodale after five years at Allure, where she served as Deputy Editor/Beauty Director. Previously, she was the Beauty Director at Shop Etc. She has also held editorial positions at Good Housekeeping and Redbook.

Keller Laird, who has frequently appeared as a lifestyle expert on national television, is a graduate of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism. She resides in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two sons.

About Women's Health: 
Women s Health propels 32 million consumers into action, providing the motivation and the inspiration for them to make instant, positive changes in their lives. Launched in October 2005 and published 10 times a year by Rodale Inc., Women's Health has quickly grown into a multimedia brand that includes branded books, mobile applications, and renowned events. The magazine has received numerous industry accolades including the 2011 ASME National Magazine Award in the category of General Excellence in Fashion, Service, and Lifestyle and was also nominated for the ASME of General Excellence again in 2013; nominated in 2014 for its third ASME in the Active Interest category; included on Adweek's annual Hot List two times and was nominated for a third in 2013; and was named Advertising Age's 2009 Magazine of the Year and also listed among their 2013 A-List winners. With 27 editions in 53 countries, the magazine continues to be the fastest growing women's magazine in the world. Visit www.womenshealthmag.com for more.

CONTACT:
Allison Hobson Falkenberry
Rodale Inc.
VP, Brand and Corporate Communications
212.573.0524
[email protected]  

Lindsey Benoit
Women's Health
Director of Communications & Special Projects
212.808.0380
[email protected]

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Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140918/147176

SOURCE Women’s Health Magazine