Newly-Rebranded Hachette Names New CEO

Alain Lemarchand, who has served as CEO of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. since June 2008, will be stepping down from his post effective October 1. Taking his place as chief executive will be former Primedia and Source Interlink Media executive Steve Parr.

Most recently, Parr served as president of Source Interlink Media. Before that, he served as president of Primedia Enthusiast Media (which was acquired by Source in 2001).

Hachette owner Lagardere Active says Parr’s appointment is the “next step in a multi-year plan” for growth that began when the company started repositioning its portfolio around a brand-centric organization. The company says Parr will be charged with increasing market share for all of Hachette’s brands, including Elle and Woman’s Day. He also will be expected to pursue “digital development” across the Jumpstart Automotive Group as well as its women’s titles, and, of course, to increase business profitability.

“As president of Primedia Enthusiast Media and then Source Interlink Media, Steve Parr successfully developed and managed a wide array of profitable multi-media properties encompassing Web sites, magazines, events, licensing, television and radio,” Lagardere Active CEO Didier Quillot says in a statement announcing the leadership change. “His strong track record and experience in publishing will be of great benefit to HFMUS and will allow Lagardere Active to accelerate his development in the U.S.”

Last week, Hachette said it was rebranding its corporate name and logo [pictured] to HFMUS. Lemarchand will most likely transition to a new senior management position within Lagardere Active, the company says.

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