Trinity Mirror’s James Wildman is to become president and CEO of Hearst Magazines UK, it has been announced. He replaces former chief executive Anna Jones who is stepping down in February.
Currently chief revenue officer at Trinity Mirror plc, Wildman has been responsible for the group’s national advertising revenue and commercial operations for the last three years. Prior to that he was managing director and VP of sales at Yahoo UK.
“James is entrepreneurial and has a strong track record of transforming media businesses,” Hearst Magazines President David Carey said.
“He understands the UK, European and global marketplace, and has a clear vision of how we can continue to move our business forward. He will be a dynamic leader of Hearst Magazines UK, which we plan to expand in the years ahead.”
Wildman joins the publishing company in good health – with six of Hearst’s print titles posting record financial performance in 2016.
“I am delighted to join Hearst Magazines, which is a strong and growing business, with dynamic brands, incredible talent and global scale,” he said.
“The UK is Hearst’s most important market outside the U.S., and I have been given a clear growth mandate for our existing brands in print and digital, as well as incubating ideas for new products, partnerships and acquisitions.”
Jones is leaving the company to co-found AllBright – a funding platform for female-led businesses in the UK. She will also become executive chairman of ShareStyle, a new marketplace for style services.
Commenting on her departure, Carey said: “We also thank Anna, who has encouraged experimentation and new ideas that drive revenue.
“She oversaw the growth of our brands on all platforms, our partnerships with Asda and Jamie Oliver, and used our brands to develop female empowerment initiatives that will continue to be a priority. We wish her the very best in her new endeavour.”
Hearst Magazines UK publishes 21 magazine brands including Cosmopolitan, Digital Spy, ELLE, Esquire, Good Housekeeping and Harper’s Bazaar.
