TARA KRAFT NAMED EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF SHAPE
NEW YORK, NY, November 17, 2010– David J. Pecker, President, Chairman and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI) today announced that longtime Star Beauty and Fashion Director Tara Kraft has been named editor-in-chief of Shape.
“As always, we continue to conduct substantial research into learning what our readers are looking for and expecting out of Shape. By expanding the content to incorporate even more lifestyle, we will deliver on those expectations,” said David J. Pecker, President, Chairman and CEO of AMI. “I’m confident that Tara will produce a fresh, well-rounded magazine that will maintain Shape’s respected voice in health and fitness, while adding a greater lifestyle sensibility to the brand.”
“I am thrilled to take on the role as editor-in-chief,” said Ms. Kraft. “While health and fitness will always be Shape’s core, we will be taking it to the next level when it comes to both content and design. We will continue to cover a broad range of subjects in a new, exciting way that will energize readers each time they pick up the magazine or visit the website. It will be an empowering, must-read, that not only inspires women to set life-improving goals, but gives them the tools to reach them.”
Kraft has been with AMI since 2003, serving as Beauty and Fashion Director of Star magazine throughout her tenure. During her years at Star, Kraft has played a particularly significant role in developing the lifestyle pages of the magazine, a significant component of the successful 2004 re-launch of Star as a glossy.
Kraft will report to Mr. Pecker effective today, replacing Valerie Latona who leaves the company after a long and successful tenure with the magazine.
“Shape is—and always has been—a powerful brand and it has been an honor to help motivate its almost 7 million readers every month to live healthier and better lives,” said Valerie Latona. “As I have always said to Shape’s readers, it’s important to take risks in life and try new things, and now I’m taking my own advice and heading off into my next adventure.”
“I’d like to thank Valerie for her hard work and dedication to the Shape brand and wish her well in all of her future endeavors,” stated Mr. Pecker.
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, 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.