-By Lucia Moses, Mediaweek

NEW YORK The Magazine Publishers of America, which recently cut seven staffers from its headcount, has made new hire in veteran editor Sid Holt, who was named chief executive for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). The position is a newly created post at the industry's chief lobbying association.

Holt for the past year served as chief editor at Go2Media, and before that he was editorial director of Adweek parent Nielsen Business Media. From 1998 to 2004, he served as evp and editor in chief of Adweek Magazines (now AdweekMedia). Earlier, Holt had served as managing editor of Rolling Stone from 1990 to 1997, becoming vp of parent Wenner Media in 1995.

In his new role, Holt is tasked with growing ASME membership, developing programs for editors, helping them navigate the challenges of a changing media landscape and increasing participation by digital publishers. Longtime ASME executive director Marlene Kahan will report to Holt.

MPA cited ad declines in the industry in making the staff cuts, which leave the organization with a headcount of 36.