Reader's Digest Association Appoints Dan Lagani President, RD Media

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., has appointed Dan Lagani, as President, RD Media, to oversee publishing of U.S. Reader's Digest magazine as well as assuming responsibility for other U.S. Reader's Digest-branded businesses.  Lagani will be based in New York, reporting to Lisa Sharples, President, Reader's Digest Community, and will serve on the company's Executive Committee.  Dan joins RDA from Tre Cani Advisors, a New York-based digital media consultancy.  He starts May 10.  

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100503/NY97438 )

"Dan Lagani is a highly accomplished media executive, brand builder and marketing innovator, and we are delighted that he is bringing his many talents to RDA and assuming this key role," Sharples said.

Lagani's direct reports will include: Elaine Alimonti, Vice President, Marketing and Sales Development, Reader's Digest Community; Heddy Pierson, Associate Publisher, Reader's Digest; Neil Wertheimer, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, Emerging Businesses and Content Development; and Harold Clarke, President and Publisher, Books, Music and Trade Publishing.

During his career, Lagani has led some of the world's best-known consumer and trade media brands including Better Homes and Gardens, Bride's and Women's Wear Daily.  He has consistently delivered strong financial results while creating award-winning digital brands, brand extensions, television series, retail programs, live events and content partnerships.

From 2006 to 2009, Lagani was President of the Fairchild Fashion Group, a division of Conde Nast where he oversaw the global and digital transformation of the company's brands including Women's Wear Daily, WWD.COM, FashionCareers.COM, Fairchild Books, Fairchild Summits, WWDMAGIC and Footwear News.  Earlier, he was Vice President and Group Publisher of the Conde Nast Bridal Group - Brides, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride. From 2002 to 2005, he was Vice President and Publisher of Better Homes and Gardens, the flagship of Meredith Corporation.  Under his leadership, BH&G consistently secured spots on Adweek's "Hit List", Advertising Age's, "A-List" and launched "America's Home," an integrated partnership with The Home Depot and Discovery Communications featuring an original 10-part television series, nationwide retail events that culminated in the giveaway of a 3,000-square-foot home.

Earlier in his career, Lagani served as Vice President and Publisher of Meredith Corporation's Ladies' Home Journal, Publisher of George magazine and in leadership and sales roles at Conde Nast Traveler, PRIMEDIA's New Woman and Meredith's Country Home.  

RDA is a global multi-brand media and marketing company that educates, entertains and connects audiences around the world.  The company builds multi-platform communities based on branded content.  With offices in 44 countries, it reaches a customer base of 130 million in 78 countries.  It publishes 92 magazines, including 50 editions of Reader's Digest, the world's largest paid-circulation magazine, operates 78 branded websites and sells 40 million books, music and video products across the world.  Further information about Reader's Digest can be found at www.rd.com .

SOURCE The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.