Senior GM Marketing Exec Michael Browner Moves To Media Side

NEW YORK, March 25, 2004; Reuters reported that the publisher of The National Enquirer and Muscle & Fitness magazine said on Thursday it hired a General Motors Corp. marketing executive as a media consultant.

Michael Browner, a 17-year GM veteran, will join fast-growing American Media Inc. on April 1, the Boca Raton, Florida-based publisher said. He most recently was GM's executive director of media and marketing operations.

His hiring coincides with the media company's plans next week to roll out nationally its revamped Star magazine, which has gone from a supermarket tabloid to a celebrity-focused glossy aimed at competing with titles like People and Us Weekly.

Besides the relaunched Star, Browner also will work with the publishing company on Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines, which recently tapped California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for a new role as executive editor.

Browner, who will be based in Detroit and Florida, will help Schwarzenegger "articulate his platform on health and fitness to the mass market," American Media President and Chief Executive David Pecker said in a statement.

Schwarzenegger, a former Mr. Universe, agreed earlier this month to take on the role at the magazines. At the time, his spokesman said the governor would only spend a nominal amount of time as executive editor of the publications.

Browner also will consult on the relaunch of American Media's auto magazine Auto World, which is being turned into a men's lifestyle magazine called MPH.

American Media's portfolio also includes Shape, Men's Fitness and the country music magazine Country Weekly. It recently announced plans for a new home-focused magazine that is expected to debut later this year.