Congratulations to the new editorial staff at the Weider offices. A big shout out to Allan Donnelly who has been a positive voice for the women since he started with the publications. That’s not to say others haven’t but I’ve had the privilege of working with Allan since he came on board and witnessed his drive, initiative and passion for the industry. Props to the folks at AMI for recognizing the leadership Allan possesses. I don’t personally know Chris or Mike but I’m sure the mags are in good hands. We’ll see what if any changes take place with the new editorial staff.
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Oct 31, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — David J. Pecker, Chairman and CEO of American Media, Inc.(AMI), today announced that Chris Lockwood, Mike Carlson, and Allan Donnelly have joined the editorial staffs at Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Muscle & Fitness Hers magazines, reporting to Laya Clark and Chris Scardino, Executive Vice Presidents & Co-Publishing Directors of AMI’s Enthusiast Group. The Group includes these three publications, their web sites, Mr. Olympia, and other related events and brand extensions.
In making the announcement, Mr. Pecker said, “One week after naming Laya Clark and Chris Scardino to head our Enthusiast group, we’ve completed our team by bringing in Chris Lockwood as editor-in-chief of Muscle & Fitness with Mike Carlson as his #2, and promoting Allan Donnelly to be executive editor of Flex. This gives us the most forward thinking, authoritative editorial staff of any publication that targets serious fitness enthusiasts.”
Mr. Clark said, “Chris is one of the most knowledgeable writers on the planet on the subject of fitness and nutrition and his vision for Muscle & Fitness will make it the primary source for cutting edge information in these areas. With Mike Carlson as executive editor, we now have two of the most sought after editorial talents in the industry together at one magazine.”
Mr. Scardino added, “As senior editor at Flex, Allan showed us he was ready for bigger and better things. Flex has always been the voice of the hardcore bodybuilding community and Allan will give that voice greater resonance than ever.”
Mr. Lockwood holds an M.S. in Sports Science and is in the process of obtaining his PhD from Oklahoma University in Exercise Physiology. He has been a contributor to Muscle & Fitness since 1998 and has also held executive positions or served as a consultant to a variety of sports nutrition companies including GNC and Weider Nutrition. Mike Carlson most recently launched and served as editor-in-chief of Real Fighter, one of the first magazines to recognize the MMA explosion, and has also been senior editor on the GNC publications Get Active and Physical. Mr. Donnelly has been with Flex since 2006 and had been an editor for Men’s Fitness and a writer at Muscle & Fitness.
Mr. Clark said that he and Mr. Scardino are currently conducting a search for an editor-in-chief at Muscle & Fitness Hers who will report to Mr. Lockwood.
Collectively, Muscle & Fitness, Flex and M&F Hers reach over 8 million readers a month. They are the leading titles for serious fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders.
About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. is the leading publisher of celebrity journalism and health and fitness magazines in the U.S. These include Star, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, and The National Enquirer. In addition to print properties, AMI manages 14 different web sites. The company also owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country’s #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.SOURCE American Media, Inc.
