Steven Grune Named Publisher of Country Living

Posted on October 2, 2000

Hearst Magazines President Cathleen P. Black has announced that Steven B. Grune, 37, former publisher of Meredith Corporation's Midwest Living as well as former associate publisher of Redbook, has been named publisher of Country Living and Country Living Gardener magazines. Grune succeeds Peg Farrell, who announced in mid-September that she was leaving the company. Grune begins on October 9, 2000.

Commenting on the appointment, Black said: ``The Country Living franchise is one of Hearst's flagships and Steve has the right kind of experience to make the brand even more viable in this growing category. Steve's work in the repositioning of Parents and Redbook, combined with his knowledge of the mass consumer magazine market, gives him a great perspective.''

Grune added: ``I'm thrilled to be coming back to Hearst and joining a tremendous brand like Country Living -- an outstanding magazine with huge potential. The editorial products of both Country Living and Country Living Gardener are more pertinent today than ever before in today's magazine marketplace.''

For the past year, Grune has been publisher of Midwest Living, one of Meredith's Corporation's subscription magazines. Prior to joining Meredith Corporation, Grune spent two years at Hearst (1997-1999), most recently as associate publisher of Redbook and before that, Redbook's advertising director. In 1996, Grune was named advertising director at Gruner + Jahr USA's Parents magazine.