NEW YORK, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MSLO, Inc. -- 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. 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 (http://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.
