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Meredith takes over Martha Stewart Living Non-Editorial Business

Through a 10-year licensing agreement, Meredith Corp. will take over Martha Stewart Living OmnimediaInc. flagships Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings brands business operation, including all non-editorial functions of the brand—ad sales, marketing, circulation, distribution and production beginning Nov. 1. The arrangement includes the U.S. and Canadian editions.

Content

What: Meredith Corp. will take over Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. flagships Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings brands business operation thanks to a 10-year licensing agreement.The agreement,beginning Nov. 1,includes all non-editorial functions (ad sales, marketing, circulation, distribution and production.)Editorial and content creation will remain with MSLO.
Why it matters: The deal highlights the strategic direction Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia wants to pursue in order to concentrate on  content and design creation to drive growth in the merchandise vertical.

descargaThrough a 10-year licensing agreement, Meredith Corp. will take over Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. flagships Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings brands business operation, including all non-editorial functions of the brand—ad sales, marketing, circulation, distribution and production beginning Nov. 1. The arrangement includes the U.S. and Canadian editions.

Terms call for Meredith to assume also responsibility for their related websites (Marthastewart.com and Marthastewartweddings.com) and digital assets including MSL’s digital video library. Martha Stewart Living is published 10 times a year with a rate base of 2 million; Martha Stewart Weddings is issued quarterly. The digital assets average 8 million monthly uniques, according to comScore.

MSL editorial staff will be working on editorial for the magazine but Meredith will probably hire sales and marketing staff from MSLO, including head of advertising Amy Wilkins. The brands will be housed under Christine Guilfoyle, senior vice president, group publisher of Meredith’s Women’s Group. Wilkins held publisher roles at Meredith prior to joining MSLO.

The partnership will allow Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to concentrate on its design and content, and keeping control of the brand’s equity. MSLO operating income is expected to improve by US $10-$15 million as a result of the deal.However, there will be a restructuring charge of approximately US $2-$3 million due mostly to termination pay.

The announcement somehow makes sense as publishing revenues were down US $8 million in the first half compared to 2013, according to company financials.

“Fundamentally, we are a content and design creation company with a peerless and globally recognized brand.This transaction enables us to remain focused on our core competencies, permitting our Company’s resources, and management’s attention, to be centered on driving growth in our merchandise vertical over the coming months and years,” says MSLO CEO Dan Dienst.

Distribution of the magazines by Meredith will start with the February 2015 issue of Martha Stewart Living and the winter 2014 issue of Martha Stewart’s Real Weddings.Des Moines-based Meredith owns 14 magazines, including Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Parents, and More, plus 15 TV stations.

 

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