In its continued efforts for robust growth across all media platforms, Wine Enthusiast Media, the leading source for modern wine content worldwide, is excited to announce a strategic restructure in its senior editorial teams.
Former Executive Editor Susan Kostrzewa has been promoted to Editor-in-Chief, increasing her focus on content partnerships, digital expansion, editorial brand awareness and diverse audience growth. Kostrzewa will expand her role in the consumer and trade market as a speaker, panelist and advisor, in addition to continuing management of all top-line editorial content strategy. She will also continue her role as a taster on the Greece and Cyprus wine beats.
During her 13-year tenure at the company, Kostrzewa has led a comprehensive rebrand of the legacy media group, including a complete redesign of the print magazine, website and expansion of the editorial team. Under her leadership, the media brand has launched successful editorial franchises such as the 40 Under 40 industry tastemakers list, the Wine & Culture editions, the Wine Enthusiast Podcast and the BIE online industry hub. She was awarded Folio’s Changemaker of the Year award in 2018 for her endeavors in inclusive coverage, innovative media expansion and California wildfire support.
Reporting to Kostrzewa, Managing Editor Lauren Buzzeo’s role has been expanded to oversee all digital and print editors in New York, as well as Wine Enthusiast’s global team of contributing editors, in efforts to better synergize operations and branding as well as advance cross-audience content. In her 13 years with the magazine, Buzzeo has been key in the development of the magazine’s international tasting panel as well as initiatives in new audience outreach such as the magazine’s first augmented reality (AR) cover in May 2019. As an author, taster, podcaster, educator and panelist, she has been active in growing awareness of beat regions such as South Africa and Languedoc-Roussillon, as well as the beer category.
Former VinePair Editor-in-Chief Emily Saladino has been recruited as Associate Managing Editor of Digital under Buzzeo and will focus on strategic content creation, WE Media digital audience growth and new online programs. At VinePair, Saladino doubled site traffic, overseeing a team of global freelance contributors as well as staff writers in New York. She launched the VinePair print magazine in May 2019. An accomplished writer, her work has been published in Bloomberg, BBC, Bon Appetit, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and others and she has also been a speaker at global industry events worldwide.
Further shifts in the editorial team, including the promotions of Layla Schlack to Associate Managing Editor of Print and Sarah Daniels to Senior Associate Editor, will support departmental synergies and growth.
These developments follow the recent ascension of second-generation owner and founder of wine registry start-up ThirstyNest, Jacqueline Strum, to the role of Associate Publisher, in which she will head the media company’s sales and events teams.
“The changes reflect a streamlining of the business and a 360-degree approach to delivering content,” says Publisher and CEO Adam Strum. “With this team’s progressive and comprehensive perspective on publishing, and Wine Enthusiast Media’s expanded emphasis on social media, digital media email marketing and direct marketing in addition to our legacy print platform, we are ensuring we’re everywhere in which the modern wine drinker can be found. We’ve long celebrated the vast potential of the wine sphere and the untapped audiences that are our industry’s future, and our moves are just another step for our brand in becoming the true voice of modern wine.”
