"Today" Show Lifestyle Contributor Named Woman's Day Editor-in-Chief
Elizabeth Mayhew, a lifestyle expert most well-known for her appearances on the “Today” show, has been named VP, editor in chief, brand content of Hachette Filipacchi’s Woman’s Day Group.
Starting January 4, Mayhew (right) will take over for the current top editor of Woman’s Day, Jane Chesnutt, who is set to become a special consultant for the Woman’s Day brand in the new year.
Hachette executives said the transition was part of a succession plan outlined by Tina Brown (yes, THE Tina Brown) who was brought on as a consultant to help with the selection process. “Tina Brown was the perfect consultant for the search,” said Carlos Lamadrid, SVP and chief brand officer of the Woman’s Day Group. “She has a classic content background, but also has a fantastic knowledge of marketing and new media.”
Mayhew seems like the ideal candidate for the position. With more than a decade of lifestyle editing experience, she has contributed not only to “Today” but Real Simple and House Beautiful. And with shelter magazines folding left and right (RIP Domino and Hachette’s own Metropolitan Home) this women’s title could benefit from an infusion of lifestyle input from someone who has spent her career focused on the category. We can’t wait to see what Mayhew does with Woman’s Day.
Previously: Hachette Shutters Metropolitan Home; Hachette Filipacchi Restructures Women’s Titles
WOMAN’S DAY TAPS LEADING LIFESTYLE EXPERT AS TOP EDITOR
New York, NY (December 9, 2009) — Alain Lemarchand, President & CEO, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. (HFM U.S.) today announced that Elizabeth Mayhew has been named VP, Editor in Chief, Brand Content, for the Woman’s Day Group. Ms. Mayhew will report to Carlos Lamadrid, SVP, Chief Brand Officer, Woman’s Day Group, and will join the company on January 4, 2009.
Ms. Mayhew brings a variety of experience as an innovative lifestyle editor, most recently contributing to NBC’s “Today” show, Real Simple magazine, Southern Living magazine, and House Beautiful magazine. Jane Chesnutt will remain as SVP, Editor in Chief, Woman’s Day, until the end of the year and will then move into a role as special consultant to the brand.
“Jane Chesnutt has made an important and lasting impact on Woman’s Day,” said Carlos Lamadrid. “She has created and developed a unique connection between the magazine and its readers while expanding the brand in key ways. Her stewardship has been an important asset to the magazine and will continue to be so as she transitions into her role as the brand’s special consultant.”
“With the addition of Elizabeth Mayhew,” Mr. Lamadrid added, “Woman’s Day will benefit from the leadership of a lifestyle editor who has contributed to some of the most distinguished brands in the field. Her experience in developing lifestyle content for television, books, and Internet outlets stands to add an important diversity to Woman’s Day.”
The transition is part of a succession plan that was created with the assistance of Tina Brown, founder and Editor in Chief of online magazine The Daily Beast. Mr. Lamadrid hired Ms. Brown as a consultant to assist in the selection process for the magazines top editorial position. “Tina Brown was the perfect consultant for the search. She has a classic content background, but also has a fantastic knowledge of marketing and new media,” said Mr. Lamadrid.
Ms. Mayhew has been an influential lifestyle editor for more than a decade, contributing to brands like House Beautiful and Real Simple, where she led the magazine as editorial development editor and style director. Mayhew has been spotlighted by the Washington Post, which praised her for developing Real Simple’s distinctive visual style, as well as by The New York Times. Mayhew is also the noted author of the decorating book Flip! For Decorating, which earned praise from Katie Couric and Miles Redd, interior designer and creative director for Oscar de la Renta.
