Senior Yahoo! executive and magazine veteran to lead MSLO internet expansion and cross-platform content and advertising opportunities Embargoed Until 2:30 PM EDT
NEW YORK, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MSLO, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) --
Wenda Harris Millard, one of the media industry's most influential internet,
publishing and marketing executives, will join Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
(MSLO) as President, Media, effective July 16, it was announced today by Susan
Lyne, President and Chief Executive Officer, MSLO.
In this newly-created position, Ms. Millard will oversee MSLO's media
businesses, which include Publishing, Internet and Broadcasting. She will
report to Ms. Lyne.
Ms. Millard has been Chief Sales Officer of Yahoo! since 2001, and she is
recognized for her pivotal role in introducing marketers to the power of the
digital world. She has served on the Board of Directors of MSLO for the past
three years. Before joining Yahoo!, Ms. Millard served as Chief Internet
Officer at Ziff Davis Media and President of Ziff Davis Internet; and
Executive Vice President and a founder of DoubleClick. In publishing, she held
a number of senior positions, including senior vice president and publisher of
Family Circle, then the world's largest-selling women's magazine. She helped
build such titles as Adweek and Working Woman (complete bio attached).
"Wenda has a unique combination of in-depth experience in businesses that
are key to MSLO and our future growth. She will bring leadership and focus to
our expanding media assets, driving further integration and more innovation
for our customers and advertisers," said Ms. Lyne in commenting on the
appointment. "She is a seasoned manager and a brilliant marketer, with a
track record of delivering strong results. Her appointment speaks to our
strategic commitment to internet expansion, and to maximizing the potential of
our consolidated media assets."
Ms. Millard said, "Consumers connect passionately with the Martha Stewart
brand. By creating ever more innovative content, and helping marketers better
leverage our unique customer connection across all our platforms, we can grow
our media business dramatically. I want to supercharge the omni in Omnimedia."
MSLO Founder Martha Stewart said, "Wenda is a new media pioneer and
entrepreneur, and I have known and admired her for a long time. Her strong
grasp and understanding of emerging platforms, combined with her in-depth
knowledge of traditional publishing, make her the perfect choice for this new
position. Her energy, her intense commitment to the "new" and her interactive
work style will be readily embraced in our company which is devoted to
excellence, teaching, and all good things. Under Wenda, I expect many new and
beneficial developments, including an intensified focus on our website, more
cross-platform content initiatives and international expansion."
MSLO reported a significant resurgence in 2006. Revenue rose 36 percent
to $288.3 million, the largest growth rate since the company went public in
1999. The dramatic growth was driven by strong ad revenue gains in Publishing
and Internet, the first full year of revenue from The Martha Stewart Show and
Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS, as well as new Merchandising
initiatives. This past April, MSLO relaunched its website
(http://www.marthastewart.com).
Publishing President Lauren Stanich has guided the successful resurgence
of the segment and has been integral to the planning process for MSLO's media
consolidation. She will work with Ms. Millard through the transition and then
assume an advisory role to the company. "Lauren's passion for the brand and
focus on our customers' needs have helped to propel MSLO's tremendous growth,
from the launch of a single, unique magazine, to the Publishing division we
know today with five main titles, special-interest publications and best-
selling books," Lyne said. The Publishing segment's revenue was up 25 percent
in 2006 over the previous year.
Broadcast President Sheraton Kalouria will continue to direct broadcast
operations, including the syndicated Martha Stewart Show, Martha Stewart
Living Radio on SIRIUS 112, and multiple initiatives on emerging digital
platforms. He will continue to report to Ms. Lyne.
Ms. Millard will resign as an MSLO director upon assuming her new
executive position.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a diversified media
and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique
content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompasses five
magazines, including the company's flagship publication, Martha Stewart
Living, periodic special issues and books. The marthastewart.com website
provides consumers with instant access to MSLO's multimedia library, search
and find capabilities, and more. The Broadcasting division features two
television programs and a radio channel on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. In addition
to its media properties, MSLO offers beautiful, practical and superior quality
Martha Stewart products through licensing agreements with carefully selected
companies. For additional information, visit the marthastewart.com website
(www.http://www.marthastewart.com
Biography: Wenda Harris Millard
Wenda Harris Millard will become President, Media, of Martha Stewart
Living Omnimedia (MSLO), effective July 16, 2007.
Ms. Millard joined Yahoo! in October 2001 as Chief Sales Officer, where
she was responsible for driving the North American sales of the company's
advertising and marketing services initiatives and leading the North American
sales organization.
Ms. Millard began her media career at age nine as the publisher,
circulation director, editor and sole staff writer of the Archer Lane Scoop.
The self-proclaimed "media junkie" hasn't looked back since embarking on a
road that led her to the American Advertising Federation's Hall of
Achievement, the highest honor given to advertising professionals 40 and
under.
A seasoned executive with 30 years of media and advertising experience,
Ms. Millard was formerly Chief Internet Officer at Ziff Davis Media and
president of Ziff Davis Internet. Previously, she was executive vice president
and one of the founding members of DoubleClick, where she was responsible for
establishing the DoubleClick brand and overseeing the operations of
DoubleClick Media.
Ms. Millard is former president and group publisher of SRDS, the country's
leading provider of media and marketing information. Before joining SRDS, Ms.
Millard was senior vice president and publisher of Family Circle, the world's
largest-selling women's magazine. Previously, she had been executive vice
president/group publisher of Adweek, Mediaweek and Brandweek magazines.
Previous career highlights include sales and management roles at leading
organizations including Working Women Ventures, Inc.; New York Magazine; and
Ladies' Home Journal.
Active on behalf of the advertising industry throughout her career, Ms.
Millard is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ad Council and Vice
Chairman of the Interactive Advertising Bureau. She is past president of the
Advertising Club of New York and former chairman of its foundation.
Ms. Millard was the subject of a profile by Tom Brokaw as part of NBC's
"Women to Watch" series, and has been a frequent television guest. She was
honored by the AAF with its Silver Medal Award as "Advertising Person of the
Year 2006." In 2005, she was recognized with the prestigious Women in
Communications' Matrix Award for "Women Who Change the World." In 1999, Ms.
Millard was named a "Digital Media Master" by Advertising Age and appointed
one of the "i20," acknowledging her as one of the 20 most influential
executives in interactive media. She has received numerous other awards
including the Women at Work Broadcast Award, the IABC Award for Innovation
from the University Settlement House and a seat among Good Housekeeping's "100
Young Women of Promise."
In June 2004, Ms. Millard was elected to the Board of Directors of Martha
Stewart Living Omnimedia. She is also a Director of the James Beard Foundation
and Do Something. She served on the board of directors of True North
Communications until its merger with the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG).
She served two terms on the Trinity College Board of Trustees.
Ms. Millard holds an MBA from Harvard University and a BA from Trinity
College, where she has received both the Gary McQuaid Award for Excellence in
Business Leadership and the Alumni Achievement Award.
SOURCE Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
CONTACT: Diana Pearson, +1-212-827-8915, dpearson@marthastewart.com, or
Katie Goldberg, +1-212-827-8392, kgoldberg@marthastewart.com, both of
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc./
Web site: http://www.marthastewart.com/
(MSO)