Desiree Rogers Named CEO Of Johnson Publishing Company

Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers has been named chief executive officer of struggling Chicago-based Johnson Publishing--the world's largest African-American owned and operated publishing company.

Rogers, who stepped down from her Obama Administration job following the 2009 White House state dinner gatecrasher debacle, joined Johnson Publishing as a consultant earlier this summer, and on Tuesday the company announced that she would take over as CEO.

Linda Johnson Rice, a longtime friend of Rogers and daughter of Johnson Publishing founder John H. Johnson, will continue to serve as chairman of her family company.

The company, which has been suffering from falling advertising revenues, has been moving things around in recent months. On June 3, they announced that they were no longer for sale. Rogers was then brought on as a consultant, Amy DuBois Barnett was hired as the new editor-in-chief of Ebony magazine and former president and chief operating officer Anne Sempowski Ward resigned on July 13, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

"Desirée has a proven track record of successful business leadership," Rice said in a statement. "She is a longstanding confidant and a savvy businesswoman who is committed to the strategic
growth of Johnson Publishing Company. I look forward to working side by side with her as we embark upon this next phase for the company."

Rogers will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company and be "aligning core business strategies for all brands," according to a statement from Johnson Publishing.

"I am humbled to have such an incredible opportunity," Rogers said in a statement. "I consider it an honor to help continue the 68-year legacy of such a phenomenal company and its iconic brands."

Comments

[Phyllis Swan]

10:06 PM on 09/13/2010

this just upped their status...

[harriettubman]

02:05 AM on 08/14/2010

As cheap as a subscription to Ebony is it speaks volumes that they were on the brink of being sold. Something is not going right in management. People have complained for years about the recycled celebrity covers--how many times can the public read about the Smith family?; lame articles and nothing of interest between the covers. I had cancelled Ebony and Essence years ago but renewed with Essence after buying a copy to see if anything had changed. Since Angela Burt-Murray took the helm, their turnaround has been great!

[harriettubman]

01:58 AM on 08/14/2010

This might be her niche instead of social secretary. Not everybody can do certain jobs. I don't know why people think they can.

[BJHenton]

05:41 AM on 08/13/2010

Good for her. She was the sacrificial lamb for the camera hogging gate crashers.

[harriettubman]

02:07 AM on 08/14/2010

I truly believe someone on the inside gave those people a ticket. You never heard another word about it either because I'll bet the investigation uncovered it.

[InfinteShibumi]

03:24 PM on 08/12/2010

I wish her well. She and the White House were ill-served by MSM; in particular, WaPo.

[HankyJoe]

09:58 AM on 08/12/2010

I would wish her luck but everyone knows that Linda runs the show and I doubt she is ready to hand the reigns over.

[mollybeejay]

08:55 PM on 08/14/2010

She and Linda have been friends forever so, this may not be the case. I too wish her well.

[CaliTLC]

02:15 AM on 08/12/2010

Good luck Desiree!!

[javajava]

12:34 AM on 08/12/2010

I was wondering why the sponsorship of the CNN series on black education issues by Ebony. I guess it's an attempt to reposition the company. About time.

[yardarm]

11:46 PM on 08/11/2010

Good luck Desiree. i hope you do better than you did as an Account Exec. at the phone company.

[Sassytall]

11:12 PM on 08/11/2010

Maybe I'll actually read a jet or ebony now lol NOT

[bleeplander]

08:21 PM on 08/11/2010

She does bring a certain cache with her now. Undoubtly she has style, and now she has the powerful connections. Let's hope she doesn't end up on every cover ala the big O.

[reader1]

06:22 PM on 08/11/2010

Good for Ms. Rogers!!! As far as Ebony is concerned, it has always catered to the black folks that made more money than most. It always featured that awful makeup of fashion fair and always featured black women that were just tan versions of white. No matter who is at the top, ebony will still suffer from the same ills. Now huff family, don't go getting all worked up over my opinions!!!

[kaaramel]

07:54 PM on 08/11/2010

"It always featured that awful makeup of fashion f[l]air"

I agree!

[mollybeejay]

08:59 PM on 08/14/2010

X three. I went to the Fashion Fair counter at a department store one day and attempted to have a makeover. When I told the girl the makeup had too much red in it for my complexion, she snarled at me that If I felt that way, then go somewhere else. i did . That was 7 or eight years ago and I have never purchased ANY of their awful makeup since. The crap is the same stuff they introduced in the 70s. They have never changed while the rest of the world has.

[harriettubman]

01:59 AM on 08/14/2010

I agree with the make up but they have had chocolate sisters in that magazine since I was a kid!

[superchitownguy]

05:24 PM on 08/11/2010

Many Black folks are tiring of the BOULE Masonic gate keepers,in our faces. The Obama even has a problem with the Boule, who were created by White Freemasons. They The Boule called Michelle "Ghetto Girl"

[King Keith]

05:18 PM on 08/11/2010

Her career has been landing one cushy job after another, I can't hate. Maybe since she's so into looks she can help get some better looking JET Beauty's of the Week, not that I have read JET since Arsenio Hall was on TV.

[TheFabOne]

02:30 PM on 08/11/2010

Try not to let anyone crash their dinner parties, Desi the Jezzy.