Stephen Gregory Barr Joins JPC as Group Publisher, SVP of EBONY and JET Magazines

Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) today announced that it has named Stephen Gregory Barr, senior vice president, group publisher of EBONY and JET magazines. The two iconic magazines together reach nearly 19 million readers and continue to be the most effective and efficient conduit to the African-American consumer across all demographic channels.

JPC Chief Executive Officer, Desiree Rogers said, “Bringing Stephen on at this time is part of our overall strategy to continue to build the strength of EBONY and JET as the most influential titles in the urban market place. Barr’s proven track record of building value for both consumers of and advertisers in print will bolster the team of top-in-class publishing professionals that we have named at JPC in recent months,” said Rogers.

Barr, 41, has held a number of key positions in publishing industry including:

Publisher of the celebrity weekly OK! Magazine. While at OK!, Barr spearheaded the weekly’s 5th anniversary event platform in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami.

Associate Publisher, Sales & Marketing for VIVMag, LLC., part of the ZINIO Digital Systems network.

InStyle Magazine Group, where he served as Advertising Director as well as Publishing Director of InStyle Weddings, InStyle Makeover and InStyle Home.

Advertising Director within the Sports + Fitness Group (Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Runner’s World + Bicycling) at Rodale’s Backpacker magazine.

General Accounts Director at Hearst’s Esquire magazine, where he was vital in securing business amongst key advertisers including SONY, American Express, LVMH, VISA, and Mercedes-Benz, among others.

Barr’s advertising sales and media background also includes positions at the ELLE Magazine Group, National Geographic Traveler and Pedone & Partners advertising agency.  He began his career at Conde Nast Traveler in 1995.

“I am excited to be joining the teams at EBONY and JET magazines, two of the most treasured and revered magazines in America,” said Barr. “My deep knowledge of publishing, most importantly among them the goals of advertisers and the interests of readers, will help me guide EBONY and JET to continued success.”

Barr joins a number of publishing and media professionals recently named to important leadership positions at JPC.

In January, the company named Darhil Crooks to the vital role of creative director of EBONY. Crooks joined EBONY from Esquire Magazine where he served as art director for five years. Prior to Esquire, Crooks was associate art director at Complex Media and before that assistant art director for Vanguarde Media, where he helped to redesign Savoy Magazine and designed for Honey Magazine. He also served as associate art director at The Source Magazine.

Crooks joined editor-in-chief, Amy DuBois Barnett, who since joining EBONY last summer has made meaningful enhancements to the magazine that will carry its 65-year legacy well into the future.

Barr added, “I am eager to join the JPC team being assembled under the careful watch of Desiree Rogers and Chairman Linda Johnson Rice. I firmly believe that both EBONY and JET continue to serve a critical need in the urban community and that the two titles, combined with powerful digital and social media strategies, will only become more influential.”

Barr officially starts as SVP, Group Publisher on February 21, 2011. He will be based in JPC’s New York offices and report to CEO Desiree Rogers. In his role as Group Publisher, Barr will be responsible for developing, refining and prioritizing the publishing division’s editorial and operational objectives as well as for the sale of all print, digital and sponsorships related to EBONY and JET.

Barr earned his Bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, Master’s degree from New York University and completed the Executive Management Program in Strategic Planning from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif. Barr is a native New Yorker born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens. He currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.

ABOUT JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.

Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. (JPC), a family-owned business, now in its seventh decade, produces the most widely read publications about African-Americans. EBONY, a monthly magazine, and JET, a weekly magazine, have a combined readership of nearly 19 million people. EBONY celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2010. JET celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2011. The company also produces Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the leading line of makeup and skin care created to meet the unique needs of women of color. Linda Johnson Rice is chairman and daughter of legendary founder, John H. Johnson and saavy businesswoman and style maven, Eunice W. Johnson. Visit www.johnsonpublishing.com for more on the history and future of JPC and its brands.