by Larry EderAndy Hersam, VP and managing director of the Runners World Group at Rodale Press, is leaving the position he has held for five years on May 9. Andy was given great credit over the last five years for building the Runners World brand and for, in 2007, championing the acquisition of Running Times, the last independent national road running title in the genre…..
In announcing this week that Chris Lambiase, VP and Managing Director of Rodale’s Bicycling magazine would shoulder the responsibilities of the RW Group as well, the Rodale press release did praise Hersam for his contributions to Runners World over the past five years.
Hersam is reported to be going to Westwood One, the syndicated radio entertainment company, to head up the sales department.
Mr. Hersam was well liked within a tough industry and as the face of RW’s business side, Andy filled the boots held by George Hirsch for nearly twenty plus years before Hersam. Andy continued to develop Runner’s World’s advertising and marketing muscle and its global name.
As a publisher, I have admired his sales ability, his strong and well trained staff and his resources. RW has continued to evolve and to attract new readers. That a publisher can increase sales and attract new readers in this media environment is something to applaud.
We at www.runblogrun.com wish him well in his future endeavors.
Note: A Folio.com piece, dated April 29, sheds some additional light on the changes at
Rodale Press:
http://www.foliomag.com/2008/rodale-promotion-leads-internal-speculation-group-sale
