New Chiefs Named at Martha Stewart

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/23/2008 12:00:00 AM

New York —

Susan Lyne, president and ceo of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, announced she will leave the company.

Her president/ceo role will be filled by president of media Wenda Harris Millard and president of merchandising Robin Marino, who will jointly serve as co-ceos. Both will report to Charles Koppelman, chairman of the board.

Lyne will stay on in an advisory role through the transition and will remain a director until the succession is complete.

Lyne joined MSLO four years ago amid the turmoil caused by the company namesake's legal woes. Lyne noted that her principal responsibility had been to rebuild the company and return it to profitability. "We have done that," she said.

Company founder Martha Stewart described Millard and Marino as "passionate, consumer-oriented leaders with equally passionate teams."

Millard oversees MSLO's media businesses — online, publishing, and broadcasting. Marino oversees merchandising, which features a variety of licensing partnerships with retailers including Macy's, Kmart, and 1-800-Flowers, as well as with manufacturers such as EK Success, Bernhardt and Safavieh.

Before joining MSLO 11 months ago, Millard had been chief sales officer of Yahoo for six years. She also served on MSLO's board of directors for three years. Before joining Yahoo, Millard served as chief internet officer at Ziff Davis Media and president of Ziff Davis Internet; and evp and a founder of DoubleClick. In publishing, she held a number of senior positions, including svp and publisher of Family Circle, then the world's largest-selling women's magazine. She helped build such titles as Adweek and Working Woman. She currently serves as chairman of the Interactive Advertising Bureau and is a member of the board of directors of the Ad Council.

Marino joined MSLO three years ago from Kate Spade, where she was president and coo of Kate Spade, Inc., overseeing all wholesale, retail and licensing operations, as well as finance, production and general operations for the company. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the department store, wholesale and specialty retail segments, holding key positions at Macy's, Polo Ralph Lauren (handbags and luggage), and Burberry.