Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP, www.meredith.com) – the leading media and marketing company reaching 175 million American consumers each month with powerhouse national brands – announced today that Steven Grune has been named Vice President of Meredith Brand Licensing, effective immediately. He will report to Meredith Consumer Products President Tom Witschi.
Grune will oversee all of Meredith's licensing activities spanning more than 60 partnerships and 12 Meredith brands, including its flagship line of 3,000 Better Homes & Gardens-branded products at Walmart. His senior leadership team will include Executive Directors Sondra Newkirk, Toye Cody and Kristen Payne.
"Licensing represents an important piece of the Consumer Products portfolio as well as a key strategic piece of the Meredith National Media Group's revenue diversification strategy," said Witschi. "We believe Steve has the ideal background to lead the business at this important juncture as we merge Meredith's current robust licensing portfolio with the Time Inc. brands acquired earlier this year."
Grune is currently VP & Group Publisher of the Meredith Parents Network, a position he has held since 2016. He has held a series of senior brand leadership roles during his 30+ years in the media industry. Grune was the founding publisher of Meredith's Allrecipes magazine, and he also worked at Midwest Living and Better Homes & Gardens in addition to his recent leadership role at Parents. Grune has also held sales leadership positions at brands such as Country Living, Redbook and TV Guide.
"I am delighted to be joining the talented team at Meredith Brand Licensing," said Grune. "Given the strength of our existing relationships and the expansion of our brand portfolio since the Time Inc. acquisition, Meredith is positioned for continued growth in the Brand Licensing business."
Grune, a graduate of Denison University, holds an MBA from Rollins College. He resides in Darien, Connecticut, and will be based in Meredith's New York offices at 225 Liberty Street.
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