Time Inc. announced on Wednesday a series of executive promotions, internal realignments and a pair of newly formed magazine groups.
First, the company promoted Mark Ford, who had served as head of the Time Inc.'s news and sports group, to president of a new "Sports Group," and former National Geographic president and MPA chairman John Q. Griffin — no relation to Time Inc. CEO Jack Griffin — to the same position at its new "News Group." (Both will hold EVP titles.)
Time Inc. also announced that Sports Illustrated publisher Kim Kelleher has been named publisher of Time magazine. Replacing her at SI will be Money magazine publisher Frank Wall, whose replacement there will be Brendan Ripp.
The appointments are effective January 3.
The Time Inc. Sports Group will include Sports Illustrated media, the SI Golf Group (Golf Magazine and SI Golf Plus) and the SI Kids franchise. Wall will report to Ford, who will continue to work closely with Sports Illustrated Group editor Terry McDonell.
The Time Inc. "News Group" will include Time, Fortune and Money magazines, websites and their related international editions..
In a statement announcing the promotions, Jack Griffin said: “Putting Sports and News into new groups will enable both to build on their leadership positions and continue to distribute our content in new, innovative ways. We will also be better focused on expanding our events businesses and growing our significant international footprints. Mark will concentrate his efforts on building an even more powerful sports franchise for Time Inc. He will also continue to extend and diversify the Sports Illustrated brand with new products across all platforms and devices. At the same time, he will work to enhance the value of SI’s products to both advertisers and consumers, as well as to identify potential acquisitions to broaden the franchise’s appeal.”
