Willcox to Leave as Editor-In-Chief of Reader's Digest Magazine

Posted on March 1, 2000

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., has announced that Christopher P. Willcox, senior vice president and editor-in-chief of the Reader's Digest magazine, is leaving the company. Willcox, who joined the magazine as a senior editor in 1988, is leaving to explore other opportunities.

``Chris has made tremendous contributions to the success and evolution of Reader's Digest for more than a decade,'' said Thomas O. Ryder, chairman and CEO of The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. ``He introduced major design changes to the cover and front of the book, and launched new editions throughout Eastern Europe and in Asia. He also changed the way Reader's Digest is put together, laying the groundwork for an even more responsive and engaging magazine around the world.''

Eric Schrier, who, as corporate editor-in-chief, oversees the editorial content of all of the company's products worldwide, said that he and the magazine's senior staff will direct operations until a new editor-in-chief is named.

Willcox said, ``I am proud to have been a part of Reader's Digest and of the enormous impact it has on people's lives around the world. I have had a great run, and it is time to move on. The magazine is in good shape now and I know it will be broadening its appeal even further in the years to come. Most importantly, the magazine is in excellent hands with Eric and this editorial team.''

With a US circulation rate base of 12.5 million and worldwide paid circulation of 25 million, Reader's Digest is read by nearly 100 million readers around the world every month. It is published in 19 languages and 48 distinct editions.