NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rodale Inc. today announced that Laura Frerer-Schmidt has been named Publisher, Women’s Health, effective September 6. Previously the Associate Publisher of Self magazine, Frerer-Schmidt will lead print and digital advertising sales and marketing efforts across the Women’s Health brand, reporting directly to Rodale’s Executive Vice President, Group Publisher, Mary Murcko.
In making the announcement, Murcko stated, “Laura has an outstanding record of achievement across all platforms—digital, print, events and licensed products. She is a true brand strategist with experience in launching alternative revenue streams that utilize marketing services and mobile applications. Her skills coincide perfectly with the brand’s next phase of aggressive growth, after five impressive years as one of the fastest-growing titles in our industry and worldwide.”
Frerer-Schmidt joins Women’s Health in an impressive year for the brand—through the July/August 2011 issue (according to PIB), the title saw 3 percent gains in ad paging and 9 percent gains in revenue versus the same period in 2010. The brand also garnered significant digital advertising growth, posting an 11 percent increase in revenue through June this year, largely driven by increases in automotive (+227%) and apparel (+156%), according to Publisher’s estimates. First half monthly uniques are up 29% to 2.2 million on womenshealthmag.com (Coremetrics). Women’s Health also earned a coveted National Magazine Award for General Excellence this year, and according to the latest MRI study, the brand is reaching one of its highest audiences to date.
Before Self, Frerer-Schmidt was National Advertising Director at Teen Vogue from 2008 to 2010; she has held various posts at W, Vogue and New Woman. Frerer-Schmidt holds a B.A. in Advertising from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. She resides in Brooklyn, New York.
About Women’s Health
Women’s Health is a fresh, smart, and inspiring brand for today's active young women. Through diligent reporting, scientific research, and intimate, entertaining writing, Women’s Health speaks to every aspect of a woman's life, including health, fitness, nutrition, emotional well-being, sex & relationships, beauty and style. Launched in October 2005 and published 10 times a year by Rodale Inc., Women’s Health has quickly grown from a magazine and Web site, WomensHealthMag.com, into a multimedia brand that includes branded books, iPhone and iPad applications, events, and 12 international editions covering 22 countries reaching more than 10 million readers every month. This year, Women’s Health won a National Magazine Award in the category of General Excellence in “Fashion, Service and Lifestyle.” In 2010, Women’s Health was for the second time included on Adweek’s annual Hot List, securing the No. 2 spot. In 2009, Women’s Health was named “Magazine of the Year” by Advertising Age. For up-to-the-minute information visit Women’s Health on Twitter (@WomensHealthMag) and Facebook (Women’s Health Magazine).