Media Relations and Communications Strategist Meredith Wagner Named Executive Vice President, Communications, MPA, the Association of Magazine Media

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Meredith Wagner has been named Executive Vice President, Communications, MPA, The Association of Magazine Media, effective January 7, 2013, it was announced today by the trade organization's President and CEO, Mary G. Berner.

Wagner joins MPA from Women for Women International, a global non-profit organization, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer, and prior to that, had worked at Lifetime Networks since 1987, having been Executive Vice President, Communications, Public Affairs and Advocacy from 2001 to 2009.

"As a seasoned communications strategist with a twenty-plus-year track record of impressive accomplishments, Meredith brings a unique and critical perspective to MPA and a keen understanding of how to speak to—and serve—our myriad constituents and stakeholders," said Berner. "She is joining our industry at a very exciting time, and I couldn't be more delighted to have her on our team."

"I am thrilled to become a part of the conversation about magazine media that Mary has begun at MPA," said Wagner. "Over the last decades, when I wasn't watching cable, I was indulging in another passion—reading magazines. As a huge consumer and passionate fan of the vibrant content, the unique experience and the value magazines offer readers and advertisers on every platform, I look forward to telling the industry's story and serving as its advocate."

Meredith Wagner: A Brief Biography

Meredith Wagner is a communications executive with deep and broad experience and leadership in corporate communications, branding, public relations and publicity, as well as corporate/cause marketing and public affairs/advocacy. She has been honored many times for her professional accomplishments and her work on behalf of women.

Most recently, as (interim) Chief Marketing Officer of Women for Women International, Wagner oversaw all marketing, digital assets, social media and media relations for the global non-profit organization, which operates in eight countries in conflict and post-war, helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives.

Previously, Wagner held a variety of positions at Lifetime Networks from 1987 to 2009, having been named Executive Vice President, Communications, Public Affairs and Advocacy in 2001. In that role, she oversaw public affairs, corporate communications, corporate giving, publicity, talent relations, viewer services, events and speech writing for Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Digital, and numerous brand extensions and properties. Wagner was a key member of the organization's management and among the strategic team that led Lifetime's rise to become the top rated cable network for several consecutive years.

In addition to serving as the company's chief spokesperson, Wagner established Lifetime as an advocate for women on issues critical to their lives, utilizing its platforms and programming to effect change, including the passage of five bills into law on matters such as human trafficking and the backlog of DNA evidence kits. While serving its audience and strengthening the Lifetime brand, these initiatives also provided valuable opportunities for advertisers and distribution partners.

Wagner has been honored with the American Women in Radio and Television STAR Award, the Women Who Care Award (United Cerebral Palsy of NY) and the Association of Cable Communicators' President's Award, among others. She has been named a "Wonderwoman" by New York Women in Cable and a "21st Century Leader" by Women's eNews and the Lifetime campaign she spearheaded to end violence against women was the recipient of the Governors Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She has served on Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government Women's Leadership Board and the boards of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, The T. Howard Foundation, Rock the Vote, Cable Positive and the Women in Cable Foundation.

Before joining Lifetime, Wagner held public relations positions at the CBS Television Stations, WCBS-TV and ABC-TV. She graduated from Skidmore College and resides in Manhattan.

MPA–The Association of Magazine Media is the industry association for multi-platform magazine companies. Established in 1919, MPA represents approximately 225 domestic magazine media companies with more than 1,000 titles, nearly 50 international companies and more than 100 associate members. MPA is headquartered in New York City, with a government affairs office in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.magazine.org.