New Country Life publisher appointed

IPC Country & Leisure Media (CALM) has promoted Steve Kendall,
currently associate publisher of Country Life, to publisher of the
title with immediate effect.

Kendall joined CALM in his current
role in March 2004. Prior to this he was head of circulation for CALM,
IPC ignite! and Wallpaper* within Marketforce, which he joined in 1997
as circulation executive on IPC’s women’s weeklies and TV listings
magazines.

Fiona Dent, publishing director of Country Life and
IPC’s Equestrian Group said of his promotion: “Steve has done a superb
job since he joined Country Life, making an instant and positive
difference to the business, including launching a number of initiatives
which were ‘firsts’ for CALM. I am really delighted to announce his
promotion to publisher – I know he will be a real asset to Country Life
in this new role.”

IPC CALM also sees Ilka Schmitt, currently
publisher of its Hobby & Outdoor portfolio, move to IPC SouthBank
with her appointment as publisher of Essentials and Practical Parenting.

Schmitt’s
appointment coincides with the shifting of Practical Parenting from
SouthBank’s Specialist portfolio into its Women’s Lifestyle portfolio,
alongside Essentials, Family Circle and Woman & Home.

Linda
Swidenbank, Women’s Lifestyle publishing director, said of her
appointment: “Earlier in her career, Ilka worked within SouthBank as
consumer insight manager, so she has a real understanding of these
brands and the women who read them. Her time in CALM has also provided
her with great experience across a range of consumer events, which will
be invaluable as we develop our Practical Parenting Baby Shows.”