American Media, Inc. (AMI) today announced that Dylan Howard has been elevated to Chief Content Officer of the AMI Celebrity Group expanding his editorial oversight and further establishing the strategic vision for all of AMI's celebrity brands including the recently acquired Us Weekly.
"Dylan has been a driving force behind much of the success that AMI has enjoyed in recent years in the celebrity group," said AMI Chairman and CEO David J. Pecker. "This new structure will bring seamless integration between our celebrity print and digital teams, help create a clear vision for the future and ensure we make the most of our opportunities for collaboration."
As a result of today's announcement, Mr. Howard will assume editorial oversight of Us Weekly and OK! magazines to cultivate the creative vision for each of AMI's celebrity brands across all platforms, including television and video. Mr. Howard today announced his first decision elevating Jennifer Peros to Editor of Us Weekly, and James Robertson to Editor of OK!. Both changes are effective immediately and Ms. Peros and Mr. Robertson will report to Mr. Howard.
"Jennifer and James represent the best journalistic values and traditions that will carry Us Weekly and OK! into a bright future," said Mr. Howard. "By leveraging the strengths, talents, and commitment of the staffs and the collaborative insights of our newly established Editors we are positioned to continue to establish ourselves as one of the innovative and strategic leaders in the category."
Ms. Peros will move from Managing Editor to Editor of Us Weekly and Usmagazine.com. She has reported across the globe for CBS' Entertainment Tonight before joining AMI in August. Ms. Peros previously worked at FOX News.
Mr. Robertson joined AMI one year ago and has ascended through AMI's editorial operation with his thoughtful, probing and agenda setting journalism as an Executive Editor of a number of titles. He will also maintain a prominent presence over those titles in the role of News Director, in addition to being editor of OK! and OKmagazine.com.
"In the last twelve months AMI has built a portfolio of celebrity brands second to none in the industry," said Mr. Howard. "With a leadership team focused on growth, disruption and innovation, today's changes are designed to further cement our leadership position in the industry and foster extraordinary storytelling across all of our brands and platforms."
In addition to the announcements regarding Us Weekly and OK!, AMI also announced that James Heidenry has left the company effective immediately.
About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. (AMI) owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and active lifestyle media brands in the United States. AMI's titles include Us Weekly, OK!, Star, Men's Journal, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Mr. Olympia Contest, National Enquirer and other celebrity titles. AMI also manages 12 different digital sites including Usmagazine.com, OKmagazine.com, RadarOnline.com, MensJournal.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and other digital and social properties. AMI's magazines have a combined total circulation of 5.6+ million and reach more than 51 million men and women each month. AMI's digital properties reach approximately 65 million unique visitors monthly.
