More turmoil has enveloped the top executive ranks of Rodale, the family-owned publishing empire behind Runner’s World, Men’s Health and the “Eat This, Not That” books.
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Maria Rodale told staffers yesterday that Gregg Michaelson, president of integrated sales and marketing, and Karen Rinaldi, the executive vice president in charge of the books division, were both exiting.
The board, which is heavily dominated by Rodale siblings, is meeting today.
Despite the management shake-up, Maria Rodale was spotted at Amazon’s press event in New York City yesterday morning, where CEO Jeff Bezos unveiled the Kindle Fire tablet. Rodale is one of the publishers who will be selling digital magazine subscriptions on the new device that launches Nov. 15. She was accompanied by Executive Vice President Mary Murcko, the former publisher of Rodale-owned Prevention.
Before their departures, Michaelson and Rinaldi were the two highest-ranking non-family members left at the company.
“I realize that this news, along with other recent announcements makes it feel as though there are lots of changes going on at Rodale,” Maria Rodale wrote in her e-mail to staffers.
There were no replacements named as of yesterday. Rodale, which is still believed to be profitable, has seen earnings and revenue slump during the industry-wide downturn.
Maria Rodale told The Post in an e-mail, “Our changes are exciting and will be coming from both inside and outside the company. I look forward to putting together an amazing team..