Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers has been named chief executive officer of struggling Chicago-based Johnson Publishing--the world's largest African-American owned and operated publishing company.
Rogers, who stepped down from her Obama Administration job following the 2009 White House state dinner gatecrasher debacle, joined Johnson Publishing as a consultant earlier this summer, and on Tuesday the company announced that she would take over as CEO.
Linda Johnson Rice, a longtime friend of Rogers and daughter of Johnson Publishing founder John H. Johnson, will continue to serve as chairman of her family company.
The company, which has been suffering from falling advertising revenues, has been moving things around in recent months. On June 3, they announced that they were no longer for sale. Rogers was then brought on as a consultant, Amy DuBois Barnett was hired as the new editor-in-chief of Ebony magazine and former president and chief operating officer Anne Sempowski Ward resigned on July 13, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
"Desirée has a proven track record of successful business leadership," Rice said in a statement. "She is a longstanding confidant and a savvy businesswoman who is committed to the strategic growth of Johnson Publishing Company. I look forward to working side by side with her as we embark upon this next phase for the company."
Rogers will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company and be "aligning core business strategies for all brands," according to a statement from Johnson Publishing.
"I am humbled to have such an incredible opportunity," Rogers said in a statement. "I consider it an honor to help continue the 68-year legacy of such a phenomenal company and its iconic brands."
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Tuesday, August 10th 2010 at 1:16PM
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