Rodale Promotes Chris Lambiase to Vice President and Group Publisher for Running and Cycling

NEW YORK–Rodale Inc. announced today the promotion of Chris Lambiase to Vice President and Group Publisher for Running and Cycling, effective May 12. In his expanded duties, Lambiase will assume oversight for both the Runner’s World and Running Times brands, working closely with David Willey, SVP and Editor-in-Chief of Runner’s World and Editorial Director of Running Times, as well as Jonathan Beverly, Editor-in-Chief of Running Times.

“Chris merges tremendous credibility within the endurance sports industry with a track record of success as a publishing executive, making him uniquely qualified to lead the important running business at Rodale,” said MaryAnn Bekkedahl, EVP and Group Publisher for Rodale. “His experiences in spearheading businesses with a diversified portfolio will be invaluable as he steps into his new role to drive further growth for our brands in print, online, mobile, and other platforms.”

Since joining Rodale in 2004 as VP and Publishing director of Bicycling, Lambiase has driven unprecedented advertising growth for Bicycling while developing the brand through business extensions, a thriving Web site, and innovative programs that leverage both consumer and advertiser enthusiasm for cycling. Especially noteworthy in Lambiase’s tenure is the success of Bicycling’s international BikeTown program, which has helped transform people’s lives with the gift of a bike.

Lambiase will replace Andrew Hersam, VP and Publishing Director of the Runner’s World Media Group. Hersam will be departing Rodale, effective May 9, to pursue an opportunity that will be announced shortly. During his nearly 5 years at Rodale, he has led the team to great success in advertising and sponsorship sales in the group’s print, online, and event assets. Hersam created fully integrated, global advertising and marketing solutions via Runner’s World’s 13 international editions. Under his leadership, his team earned Runner’s World two mentions on Adweek’s Hot List, as well as a spot on Advertising Age’s A List.

“We are excited that Chris will bring his creativity, leadership, and business acumen to the running industry that our brands serve,” said Willey. “Rodale’s running brands, Runner’s World and Running Times, are growing and thriving both in print and online. As the running industry and community continue to grow –- with the number of runners, races, and race participants at an all-time high — and as we move through the Olympic trials in anticipation of Beijing, Rodale is committed to serving the expanding running audience.”

Going forward, Bicycling Associate Publisher Joao Correia will assume broader responsibilities in the oversight of the day-to-day operations for the Bicycling brands and will continue to report to Lambiase.

Before joining Rodale, Lambiase spent 22 years at Dow Jones, most recently as President and CEO of SmartMoney. Lambiase is an endurance athlete and has been a competitive cyclist for more than 25 years.

About Rodale

Rodale Inc. is the authoritative source for trusted content in health, fitness, and wellness around the world, reaching more than 70 million people globally. The company publishes some of the best-known health and wellness lifestyle magazines, including Men’s Health, Prevention, Women’s Health, Runner’s World, Best Life, Bicycling, Running Times, Mountain Bike, and Organic Gardening, and is also the largest independent book publisher in America with a collection of international titles, including The South Beach Diet and The Abs Diet franchises, and Al Gore’s New York Times bestseller An Inconvenient Truth. Rodale’s broad range of media platforms includes magazines, books, video, and extensive Web sites. The company is also a leader in direct-response marketing and has more than 25 million active customers in its database. www.rodale.com.