The masthead of Oprah’s magazine is getting a makeover.
Susan Casey, an ocean-adventure author who has held the top job for nearly four years, is leaving and will be replaced by her deputy.
Lucy Kaylin — who has been deputy editor since 2009 when she moved to O, The Oprah Magazine, from another Hearst-owned title, Marie Claire — will take over Monday.
“I’ll be moving back to Hawaii full time to work on my next book,” Casey said. “I had so much fun here, I probably stayed longer than I imagined when I first took over.”
She already counts two bestsellers, “The Devil’s Teeth” and “The Wave,” on her author’s résumé, and Casey said she signed a new contract for her next one, slated for a 2015 release, about six months ago.
Casey had the tough task of presiding over the magazine when Winfrey ended her talk show in May 2011 after a 25-year run.
The loss of daily TV exposure translated into a huge drop in profitable newsstand sales.
Newsstand sales made up 546,164 of its total circulation of 2,461,464 in the six months ended June 2011. Since then, newsstand sales have plunged to 415,928 out of 2,355,115.
Even more worrisome to Hearst, which runs it in a joint venture with Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, is the continuing ad erosion. Last year, its ad pages dropped 14.6 percent, to 1,161.18, according to Media Industry Newsletter.
Casey, who always seemed an odd choice given her outdoor-adventure background, led a complete makeover of the staff and the magazine’s design.
More changes may be ahead. Hearst Magazines head David Carey said one goal is to bring in “new programs, fresh ideas and new initiatives.”