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Tag: Susan Lyne

  • Charles Koppelman is Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia chairman

    Charles Koppelman is Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia chairman

    MUMBAI: US media company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) has announced that Charles Koppelman will be the chairman of the board of directors.

    Koppelman previously served as vice chairman and consultant to MSLO. He succeeds Thomas C. Siekman, who has been named lead director.

    Martha Stewart saidm “As the founder of this company, I have been greatly impressed with Charles’ extensive background and expertise in branding, licensing, and corporate positioning. His work these past months with Susan Lyne has given the company a broader, renewed focus on business development and strategic issues.

    “This has lifted the morale for all of us who care about MSLO. I am pleased he has been selected to chair our board. Charles will take over a position that has been well managed by Tom. Everyone at MSLO is grateful to both for their service.”

    Koppelman said, “MSLO is a remarkably vital company with abundant opportunities for the future, and I am honored to serve as chairman. Susan Lyne (MSLO CEO) is an incredibly talented business executive with a clear vision for MSLO. I am eager to continue our productive and collaborative working relationship, and to help Martha Stewart and MSLO’s management team grow the business and create long-term shareholder value.”

    Lyne said, “In his capacity as a consultant to MSLO and Vice Chairman of the board, Charles has developed a keen understanding of the company and its businesses. I am delighted that he has agreed to serve as chairman, and look forward to working with him even more closely. Charles has already made significant contributions to our business development and strategic planning. I know that his experience and good counsel will help drive our momentum going forward.”

    MSLO recently announced a number of important strategic business transactions and executive management hires. In April, MSLO teamed with Sirius Satellite Radio in an exclusive four-year agreement to create and launch a Martha Stewart-branded satellite radio channel.

    The channel, the first of its kind, will provide original programming specifically designed for women listeners and their families everyday. In the same month, MSLO announced an exclusive multi-year agreement with Warner Home
    Video to create a new line of home video releases based on MSLO’s extensive television programming library. This will launch by the fourth quarter of this year.
     

  • Martha Stewart teams with Warner for home video line

    Martha Stewart teams with Warner for home video line

    MUMBAI: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Warner Home Video have announced an exclusive multi-year agreement to create a new line of home video releases based on MSLO’s extensive television programming library.

    The new theme-based DVD product line will provide consumers with in-depth ‘how-to’ programming in special interest lifestyle areas and is due to launch by fourth quarter 2005. The distribution agreement covers the US and Canada.

    The new line of home video products will be culled from MSLO’s vast library of over 1,500 hours of digitised television programming. This includes 11 seasons of the Emmy-award winning Martha Stewart Living television show hosted by Martha Stewart, Petkeeping with Marc Morrone, Everyday Food, as well as the new daily syndicated television show hosted by Martha Stewart that launches later this yearl. The video series will be created in areas of MSLO’s expertise such as cooking, holiday entertaining, baking, crafts, fun stuff to do with kids, weddings, celebrating, and petkeeping, just to name a few.

    Martha Stewart commented, “We are very happy that consumers will now be able to watch our many useful and practical how-to segments in areas of special interest to them on DVD. Every consumer is looking for solutions for specific projects and everyday challenges. Our television content is timeless and the new line will draw from our extensive library and many lifestyle experts to provide reliable, thorough, detailed information for any project  whether they are planning a dinner party, organizing a closet, caring for pets, or looking for simple tips on cooking a weekday meal.”

    Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia president and CEO Susan Lyne says, “Consumers who rely on Martha Stewart and MSLO’s lifestyle experts as their guide to all aspects of living are seeking our authoritative lifestyle information in new, in-depth formats. Our new ‘how-to’ DVD line will be welcomed by existing customers, and should appeal to anyone looking to master a special interest or turn an everyday event into a special occasion.

    “We look forward to working with Warner Home Video, which has an extensive marketing and distribution network. They are the home video market leader and we expect them to introduce our new DVD line to a very broad audience.”

    Warner Home Video president Jim Cardwell said, “The Martha Stewart brand is the premiere brand in the lifestyle arena today. MSLO programming is synonymous with quality and ‘how-to’ expertise. We feel privileged to be able to launch this distinguished brand in an untapped genre and are looking forward to a long and successful relationship with MSLO.”

  • Sirius Satellite Radio to launch Martha Stewart channel

    Sirius Satellite Radio to launch Martha Stewart channel

    MUMBAI: Sirius Satellite Radio and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc today announced an exclusive four-year agreement to create and launch a Martha Stewart-branded satellite radio channel.

    The channel, the first of its kind, will provide original programming specifically designed for women listeners and their families, 24-hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

    Martha Stewart Living Radio will leverage the company’s expertise in the lifestyle arena to create programming focused on cooking, entertaining, gardening, home-keeping, decorating, holidays, health and living, crafts, and weddings, as well as how-to projects for parents and children, and information and tips for owners and their pets.

    Stewart will be a regular presence on the channel and will be actively involved with programme development. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s team of experts will also contribute to the planning. Martha Stewart Living Radio is expected to begin on Sirius later this year. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

    “Martha Stewart Living is the premier brand in lifestyle and how-to programming for women and their families. Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius will have tremendous appeal to women, who are completely underserved by traditional radio programming,” said Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin.

    “We expect our partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to generate both significant subscriber growth and substantial advertising revenue, as sponsors will rush to embrace this huge, brand-loyal audience,” he added.

    “This will be the first ‘around the clock’ channel devoted entirely to areas of interest for women in particular. It has been our dream to bring our expertise in the lifestyle arena, and our vast library of how-to ideas, to radio programming.

    “Just as we pioneered in the creation of the how-to lifestyle magazine and how-to TV media categories, our new partnership with Sirius is breaking new ground in satellite radio,” said Stewart.

    “The combined strength of our two companies will enable our customers, as well as current and future Sirius subscribers to benefit from our company’s unique approach to how-to content.

    “We are all about information and inspiration that is pertinent to every family’s everyday living, and we know that our new partnership will enable an even broader audience to partake of our brand of practical, useful, sensible and nurturing information,” she added.

    “Martha Stewart has an incredibly vibrant and active community of loyal readers and viewers who look for every opportunity to connect and learn from her.

    “This new channel will deliver ideas and information, conversations and expert advice, whenever and wherever their busy lives take them,” said Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia president and CEO Susan Lyne.

  • Sally Preston is senior VP, publisher of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

    Sally Preston is senior VP, publisher of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

    MUMBAI: American media organisation Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has announced that it has named Sally Preston as Martha Stewart Living Magazine senior VP and publisher.

    Preston was most recently Rodale’s Organic Style magazine VP and publisher. She has held several high-level positions at other women’s magazines including O, The Oprah Magazine and Better Homes and Gardens. She will oversee all advertising sales and marketing efforts for Martha Stewart Living Magazine.

    Martha Stewart Living Magazine president and CEO Susan Lyne said, “Sally’s abundant energy and strong leadership skills will be an enormous asset to both our company and our flagship magazine. Sally is a smart, passionate and accomplished publisher. Her reputation as a team builder and her strong industry relationships have been key drivers in her ability to deliver results. We are confident that Sally’s experience will help build momentum at Martha Stewart Living for years to come.”

    Preston stated, “For more than a decade, I have admired Martha Stewart Living Magazine’s achievements in the women’s lifestyle category. It is thrilling to now be at the helm of this incredible brand. Martha Stewart Living magazine has an enormously loyal readership and editorial of the highest quality. I look forward to working with the Martha Stewart Living team.”

  • Stewart, NBC sign distribution agreement for new series

    Stewart, NBC sign distribution agreement for new series

    MUMBAI: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. and NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution today announced a multi-year distribution agreement that will bring Stewart back to television stations in a new nationally syndicated daily series starting in 2005.

    The program has been sold to NBC-owned and operated stations, covering more than 30 per cent of the nation. The joint announcement was made today by MSO president and CEO Susan Lyne and NBC Universal Television Group president Jeff Zucker.

    Producer of The Apprentice and The Contender Mark Burnett, will be the executive produce of the new daily Stewart television series. In September, MSO announced that it would collaborate with Burnett on new television programming opportunities. This is the first of these programs.

    The hour-long show will be taped live with a studio audience and feature a new programming format that allows audience members and special guests to participate and interact with Stewart. Viewers will learn new ways to enhance their lives as audience members and even celebrity guests help Stewart unveil great ideas and new projects — from cooking and entertaining, to decorating and home renovating, and more. The segments will be engaging, illuminating and fun, appealing to a broad audience of viewers.

    “This is the first of several new initiatives at MSO that will have positive implications across the entire spectrum of our business,” Lyne said. “The new format should appeal to Martha’s loyal core audience, as well as a new generation of viewers interested in home and lifestyle. We are especially pleased to be teaming with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and Mark Burnett. Mark’s ideas for reshaping Martha’s show have excited everyone at MSO, and the support of NBC’s syndication arm will guarantee the program a broad national platform.”

    “I have known Martha since her days on Today and am thrilled to have her back in the NBC Universal family,” said Zucker. “Martha is a proven winner across all media. The power of the brand is stronger than ever and a terrific addition to the NBC Universal Distribution portfolio. Martha is an incredibly appealing and engaging talent with an enormously loyal following. We look forward to working with Martha, Susan Lyne and Mark Burnett to bring the new program to millions of viewers next year.”

    “Martha has incredible value and enduring appeal. As the arbiter of taste, Martha teaches people in a practical, helpful manner how to include style in everyday living. Our new show will build on this Emmy-award-winning formula by incorporating more interaction, accessibility, vibrancy, and most importantly, humor. Together, I know we can create a show that breaks new ground in daytime, and bring new viewers to Martha’s already strong base,” said Burnett.

    “The powerful brand recognition and the promise of high-quality programming will greatly appeal to local broadcasters. The program will provide many opportunities for both national and local advertisers. We anticipate a broad and successful distribution effort,” stated NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution president Barry Wallach. “I worked with Martha in the early days of her TV career, so it is personally very rewarding to be partnering once again with Martha and her terrific team.”

  • Susan Lyne is Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia president, CEO

    Susan Lyne is Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia president, CEO

    MUMBAI: US based Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO) has announced that Susan Lyne, an experienced television, film and publishing executive, will be its president and CEO.

    She succeeds Sharon Patrick who has informed the board of her wish to resign as president and CEO.

    Lyne has served as a director of the troubled media firm since June 2004. She said, ” I am proud to lead MSO during this next phase of the company’s growth. The company’s foundation is remarkably strong, with a consumer base that is unusually loyal.

    “It attests to the enduring appeal of the Martha Stewart brand and the exceptional people who bring it to life. We will continue to create new ‘how to’ content and deliver what our loyal audiences expect from us. We believe we can be the place to go for information about the home across all media platforms.”

    MSO is organised into four business segments. These are publishing, television, merchandising, and Internet/Direct Commerce.

    The company’s founder Martha Stewart is currently serving a five month prison sentence. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) found her guilty for lying to investigators about her sale of ImClone Systems stock in late 2000.