The Reader’s Digest Association Inc. is a global multi-brand media and marketing company that educates, entertains and connects audiences around the world. The company uses its editorial and content-delivery skills to serve communities of customers. With offices in 45 countries, it markets books, magazines, music, video and educational products reaching 130 million households in 79 countries. It publishes 92 magazines, including 50 editions of Reader’s Digest, the world’s largest-circulation magazine, operates 65 branded Web sites generating 18 million unique visitors per month, and sells approximately 68 million books, music and video products across the world each year.
The company is organized in the United States around consumer affinity interests: RD Community, Food & Entertaining, Home & Garden, and Health & Wellness. It publishes eight U.S. magazines with circulations of at least 1 million including Reader’s Digest, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and Taste of Home. RDA is targeting growth by creating multi-platform communities based on branded content. The company recently expanded Allrecipes.com, the leading U.S. website for home cooks, by launching the site in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, France and Germany. Other recent launches include new publishing businesses in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe. In 2009 the company announced the launch of Purpose Driven Connection, a magazine, DVD and Web platform offered in partnership with Pastor Rick Warren, as well as several other magazine introductions.
On March 3, 2007, an investor group led by Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. completed a transaction resulting in the acquisition of RDA and a return to private ownership. Two other companies in Ripplewood's portfolio, WRC Media and Direct Holdings Co., were brought into RDA in the transaction. Mary Berner was named President and CEO.
