New Editors in Chief Announced at Southern Living and Cottage Living Magazines

Southern Progress Corporation announced today that Cottage Living Vice President and Editor in Chief Eleanor Griffin has been named vice president and editor in chief of its flagship title, Southern Living. Lindsay Bierman, founding executive editor of Cottage Living, has been promoted to vice president and editor in chief upon Griffin’s departure.

Griffin succeeds longtime Southern Living Vice President and Editor in Chief John A. Floyd Jr., who announced his intention to retire at the end of the year after 18 years as editor in chief and 31 years with the company. Southern Living currently is the seventh largest monthly consumer magazine in the U.S., with more than 16 million readers. Griffin will be the title’s fourth editor in chief since its 1966 launch and the first female to hold the position.

“We are thrilled to have someone as uniquely qualified as Eleanor to take the helm of our flagship title,”said Southern Progress President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Angelillo. "Having worked on staff with Southern Living for many years, Eleanor knows and respects the magazine’s readers, as well as the complexities, traditions, and power of such an iconic Southern brand. At the same time, with her experience creating a brand from the ground up, she will bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the role.”

“Southern Living is synonymous with the absolute best of the South,”Griffin said. "I am returning home to the magazine where I launched my career. It’s a dream scenario for me to work with a talented staff where we can continue to give our loyal readers the very best of the South each month.”

Griffin has served as vice president and editor in chief of Cottage Living since the magazine’s launch in 2004. Since its launch, Cottage Living has earned numerous accolades, including being named Adweek Startup of the Year in 2005 and two appearances on the Adweek Hot List. In 2008, Cottage Living was named one of 50 Favorite Magazines by The Chicago Tribune in its annual list. Griffin joined Southern Progress more than 20 years ago, serving in various roles at Southern Living, including executive editor, as well as the company’s custom publishing division. A native of Louisville, Ky., Griffin received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in journalism and political science.

“Lindsay is no stranger to Cottage Living readers—his influence has been evident throughout its pages since day one, making this a natural transition,”said Angelillo. "Lindsay’s enthusiasm and collaborative spirit, keen eye for good design, and infallible instincts about the cottage lifestyle make him the ideal person to step into the role of editor in chief as we continue to grow the brand.”

“Cottage Living is leading the way toward a new American Dream, a lifestyle defined by appreciation of quality over quantity, a pride of place, and living large while leaving a small footprint,”said Bierman. "Eleanor and I have collaborated from the start on the magazine’s mission to embody ‘life just right.’ She has been a true visionary, mentor, and friend, and I look forward to building on the solid foundation we’ve built for this brand. Now more than ever, Cottage Living will be our readers’ way of saying ‘happily ever after.’”

A 12-year veteran of the company, Bierman joined Southern Progress as the first homes editor at Coastal Living and served as executive editor at Southern Accents magazine before moving to Cottage Living. Earlier in his career, Bierman worked at Robert A. M. Stern Architects in New York City and wrote for titles such as Elle Décor and Interior Design. Born in Plymouth, Mich., Bierman earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a Master of Architecture from University of Virginia.

About Southern Living
Southern Living (www.southernliving.com), the premier lifestyle and entertaining magazine of the South and the seventh largest monthly consumer magazine in the U.S. (based on readership), reaches nearly 16 million readers each month and enjoys a circulation of about 2.8 million. Published 12 times a year, Southern Living celebrates the heart of Southern life.

About Cottage Living
Cottage Living (www.cottageliving.com) is a lifestyle magazine providing a definitive guide to comfort, simplicity, and personal style. In eight issues a year, Cottage Living inspires its 4 million readers with achievable ideas for creating a simplified lifestyle through comfortable decorating, relaxed entertaining, casual gardening, and easy traveling. Cottage Living recently was selected as the national magazine partner of the 2009 HGTV Green Home.

About Southern Progress Corporation
A leader in lifestyle information, Birmingham, Ala.-based Southern Progress Corporation (www.southernprogress.com) publishes Southern Living, Cooking Light, Health, Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Cottage Living, and Sunset magazines, and books through Oxmoor House. It also operates a direct-selling division, Southern Living At HOME, and has a strong Web presence through branded portals, including MyRecipes.com and MyHomeIdeas.com, as well as 10 individual Web sites. Southern Progress is a subsidiary of Time Inc.