Michael De Medeiros Named Editor-in-Chief of Men's Fitness

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- David J. Pecker, President, Chairman and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI), today announced the appointment of Michael De Medeiros as Editor-in-Chief of Men's Fitness, AMI's monthly magazine that services young, performance-driven men by mixing fitness and nutrition with fashion, grooming and sports, as well as other editorial that comprise an active lifestyle.

De Medeiros was previously the editor of Maximum Fitness where he restructured the editorial content and layout of the magazine. His first issue more than tripled the sales of the most favorable averages the magazine ever achieved. Prior to this role, De Medeiros was managing editor of M magazine. He also penned more than 10 books, many of which focus on topics related to men's interests.

As Editor-in-Chief of Men's Fitness, De Medeiros will implement plans for a revitalized, refocused and visually impactful magazine with fitness, nutrition and an active lifestyle remaining core attributes, which will result in a significant impact on the reader. Plans also include major enhancements to the visual representation and editorial direction of the publication. In addition to a fresh, new approach to delivering everything that Men's Fitness readers want in the pages of the magazine, the publication is further improving the reading experience with a larger trim size and a higher quality paper stock.

"With his publishing background and focus in the health and fitness categories, Michael is a great addition to Men's Fitness," said Mr. Pecker. "As the go-to authority to guiding men to achieve their peak performance and live a healthy and active lifestyle, I'm looking forward to seeing Michael continue the Men's Fitness tradition and raising the bar in 2012."

Chris Scardino, Executive Vice President/Group Publishing Director added, "I have admired Michael's work for a number of years and am looking forward to working with him on elevating the Men's Fitness brand to new heights."

Commenting on his appointment, De Medeiros said, "I'm thrilled to be taking on the position of Editor-in-Chief of Men's Fitness, and am equally looking forward to continuing the brand's commitment to be the very best fitness, health and lifestyle magazine for men. Our focus is on delivering all the elements of life that matter to our reader and packing the magazine with information and service, as well as recurring columns, in-depth features and profiles that are fun and provocative. This new editorial blueprint will make Men's Fitness the essential guide for the active male who wants to live a better life."

De Medeiros will report directly to Mr. Pecker effective January 30, 2012.

About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health and fitness media brands in the United States. AMI's titles include Star, OK!, National Enquirer, Globe, Country Weekly Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly, Pixie, Shape, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. AMI also manages 18 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, Shape.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and FitPregnancy.com. AMI's magazines have a combined total circulation of almost 7 million and reach more than 55 million men and women each month. AMI's digital properties reach an average of 10 million unique visitors and 80 million page views monthly.

AMI also operates a Publishing Services business unit which includes Distribution Services, Inc. (DSI), the No. 1 in-store magazine sales and merchandising marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. DSI places and monitors AMI's publications and third-party publications to ensure proper displays in major retail chains and national and regional supermarket chains. DSI also provides marketing, merchandising and information gathering services to third parties including non-magazine clients. Publishing Services also provides print and digital advertising sales and strategic management direction in the following areas: manufacturing, subscription circulation, logistics, event marketing and full back office financial functions. Playboy is one of many publishers who have taken advantage of these additional services.

SOURCE American Media, Inc.