The Company operates two business segments: national media and local media. The national media segment includes magazine publishing, brand licensing, integrated marketing, interactive media, database-related activities, and other related operations. The local media segment consists primarily of the operations of network-affiliated television stations, related interactive media operations, and video production related operations. The national media segment focuses on the home and family market. It is a leading publisher of magazines serving women. Twenty subscription magazines, including Better Homes and Gardens , Family Circle , Ladies' Home Journal , Parents , American Baby , Fitness , Everyday with Rachael Ray and More, and almost 120 special interest publications were published in print in fiscal 2011. Eight titles were also available on various digital platforms including the Apple iPad, Android, Barnes & Noble's Nook Color, and Zinio. The national media segment also includes: integrated marketing, which provides specialized marketing services to some of America's leading companies; a large consumer database; an extensive Internet presence that consist s of more than 30 websites and mobile websites, 10 mobile applications, and strategic alliances with leading Internet destinations; brand licensing activities; and other related operations.
The local media segment includes 12 network-affiliated television stations located across the United States (U.S.) and one AM radio station. The television stations consist of six CBS affiliates, three FOX affiliates, two MyNetworkTV affiliates, and one NBC affiliate. The local media segment also includes more than 35 websites and mobile websites, almost 20 mobile applications, and video production related operations.
The company owns New Media Strategies, the world's first and largest social media marketing agency.
In fiscal 2011, the company reported revenues of $1.4 billion and net earnings of $127.4 million.
Meredith acquired the leading food website AllRecipes.com for $175 million in January from Reader's Digest Corp.
History
Edwin Thomas Meredith founded the company
in 1902 when he began publishing Successful Farming magazine.
The first issue was sold to 500 subscribers. By 1914, circulation
was over the half-million mark.
1922 - Meredith began publishing Fruit,
Garden and Home magazine, a home and family service publication.
1924 - Changed name of Fruit, Garden
and Home to Better Homes and Gardens magazine. (A
three-person staff produced the first Better Homes and Gardens
magazine. The first issue cost a dime on the newsstand, and a
one-year subscription cost 35 cents.)
1930 - Published first edition of the Better
Homes and Gardens Cook Book. (Better Homes and Gardens
magazine subscribers received complimentary copies.)
1946 - Meredith first offered stock to
the public.
1948 - Entered the television broadcasting
business with the purchase of WHEN-TV in Syracuse, N.Y.
1965 - First listed on the New York Stock
Exchange as MDP.
1986 - Purchased Ladies' Home Journal
magazine.
2005 - The company acquired Family Circle,
Parents, Child and Fitness magazines from Gruner & Jahr for
$350 million.
Benefits
- 401K Savings and Investment Plan
- Retirement Plan
- Group Health and Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Dependent Life Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Time Off (vacation, personal days and sick leave)
- Short and Long Term Disability
- Fitness Reimbursement
- Matching gifts and volunteer hours program
- Subscription discounts
Updated April 6, 2012