Hearst reveals mass restructuring and names Jessica Pels as new editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Oct 11, 2018

The Hearst magazine empire has revealed a mass editorial restructuring with over 30 jobs affected. The company also announced the promotion of Jessica Pels, the top editor of Cosmopolitan’s e-zine, to editor-in-chief of the magazine.

As part of a mass restructuring at Hearst, Jessica Pels has been promoted from top editor of Cosmopolitan’s e-zine to editor-in-chief of the magazine, as publishers increasingly look to bridge online and print media. Pels is taking over from Cosmopolitan’s previous editor-in-chief, Michele Promaulayko.

Along with announcing Pels’ promotion, Hearst also announced that its publication Redbook will go all-digital from January 2019. Veranda by Hearst will move to Birmingham, Alabama, to join its sibling title Country Living and has appointed Steele Marcoux as its new editor-in-chief. Marcoux replaces Clint Smith who left after the publication announced the move.

House Beautiful and Seventeen have also both appointed digital editors as print magazine editors but Popular Mechanics, Men’s Health, and Women’s Health have all retained print editors at the top.

Hearst’s restructuring is also expected to eliminate around 35 jobs company-wide. This shake-up is the first since Troy Young was named as magazines president in late July, succeeding David Carey. Around that time, appointed Kate Lewis was also appointed as chief content officer, replacing Joanna Coles.

Other changes include the decision to have Richard Dorment, the editor-in-chief of Men’s Health, oversee the magazine’s online site. Men’s Health’s director, Sean Evans, and deputy editor EJ Dickson are leaving. Women’s Health Editor-in-Chief Liz Plosser, who joined in January, will also oversee both print and digital. Popular Mechanics Editor-in-Chief Ryan D’Agostino will take over digital operations.