Former Health and Cooking Light editor will lead landmark launch. Health advocate's focus on life balance fits the magazine's ethos.
NEW YORK, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Lisa Delaney has been named editor in chief of Spry, the largest health magazine launch in history scheduled for September with 9 million circulation. Former executive editor of Health and senior editor of Cooking Light and Prevention, she brings more than 15 years of health expertise to the magazine. She is author of the book, Secrets of a Former Fat Girl: How to Lose Two, Four (or More!) Dress Sizes -- and Find Yourself Along the Way.
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Delaney lost 70 lbs two decades ago, became a marathon runner, and dedicated herself to spreading "the confidence and power that fitness can bring." Delaney has translated her health advocacy into a nationwide, grass- roots health movement as well as successful magazine franchises. At Health, she launched Girls Gotta Move, a national running club that encourages women of all ages to discover the power of running. Girls Gotta Move has 25,000 members and is growing by the month.
"My life and career are about helping people get healthier and be happier," said Delaney. "I face the same challenges that someone just starting out faces -- how to make a healthy life work, find pleasure in it, and embrace the kind of change that it requires. To be able to build a media brand around that is really exciting to me."
Spry is the latest record-setting magazine launch for Publishing Group of America, which was purchased in December by Bain Capital Partners and Shamrock Partners. With a theme of balance -- "Celebrating the vitality in all of us" - - Spry will speak to boomers living active lives while often balancing the health needs of both their parents and their kids. Delaney will oversee all brand platforms, including online, clubs, e-newsletters, books, events and other extensions.
"Inspiration is our big opportunity," said Delaney. "There's health news coming out every day, but the inspiration piece isn't played up enough. We can show people how a healthy, balanced life is achievable, by celebrating people and circumstances that readers can identify with."
"It's not just Lisa's credentials we are thrilled about, it's her personality," said Dick Porter, CEO of Publishing Group of America. "She'll infuse the brand with a unique, personable, lively tone. She's a role model people can relate to, and her context will really resonate with our audience."
About Publishing Group of America
Franklin, TN-based Publishing Group of America publishes American Profile, Relish and Texas Profile magazines. American Profile debuted in April 2000 as the second largest publishing launch in U.S. history; it is distributed through more than 1,400 newspapers with a combined circulation of 9.8 million. Relish debuted in February 2006 as the largest advertising-supported food magazine, with a circulation of 6.8 million via newspapers, and has grown to 12 million effective January 2008. Texas Profile debuted in September 2006 with a circulation of 625,000 and has grown to 740,000 via newspapers. Spry launches in September 2008 with a circulation of 9 million. The company publishes a series of cookbooks ("Hometown Recipes") and custom publications, and operates Hometown Content, a syndicated news service for print and web, and Hometown Promotions, an integrated marketing service. The company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Franklin, TN.
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