'LHJ' Editor Out in Meredith Shake-up

Editorial director Mike Lafavore's departure -- or perhaps the forces responsible for that departure -- has triggered a larger shake-up at Meredith Corp., where struggling Ladies' Home Journal has a new editor and the publishing division has a new editorial reporting structure.

At LHJ, editor in chief Diane Salvatore is stepping down and exiting the company, to be replaced by Parents editor Sally Lee, who also adds oversight of Family Circle, Fitness, Ser Padres and American Baby. One of the original "Seven Sister" of the women's service category, it has watched its business dwindle as newer titles like Real Simple and O, The Oprah Magazine have come on the scene. This year, LHJ's ad pages are off 14.2 percent through June, according to Media Industry Newsletter, and, while its newsstand sales have been relatively strong, that appears to be attributable to a now-discontinued program whereby Meredith magazines were sold at an extreme discount in dollar stores.

Meanwhile, Better Homes & Gardens' editor in chief, Gayle Butler, will now also be the editorial director of Country Home, Traditional Home and Midwest Living, with Jim Blume, who heads up the food group, serving as her deputy. Dan Hickey becomes vice president of digital content, overseeing magazine web sites.