Stephen Barr Named Advertising Director for Rodale’s Backpacker magazine

Stephen Barr has been named Advertising Director for Rodale’s Backpacker magazine, it was announced today by VP/Group Publisher, Backpacker and Bicycling Chris Lambiase.

Barr, who begins his new position this week, will be based in New York and report to Lambiase. In his new role, Barr will be responsible for defining Backpacker’s advertising strategy and increasing the magazine’s awareness in a wider range of advertising categories. He will oversee all advertising initiatives and work closely with Backpacker’s Western Advertising Director, Kent Ebersole.

Barr, 36, joins Backpacker from Esquire, where he served as general accounts director since July 2003 with direct responsibility for the import automotive, consumer electronics/technology and financial services categories.

Prior to joining Esquire, Barr spent two years with National Geographic Traveler as senior account/Caribbean travel director, managing accounts in categories including consumer electronics, watches, luggage & accessories and fashion/apparel.

“We’re excited to have Steve head up our advertising team,” said Lambiase. “He brings us a unique expertise in some very key non-endemic categories that we feel are a great match for our audience, and we’re confident he’ll be able to help us establish new relationships in those areas that augment the strong endemic relationships the magazine continues to maintain in the outdoor industry.”

Barr, a New York City native, is a 1993 graduate of Morehouse College and earned a Master’s Degree in publishing/business management from New York University in 1999.