Business News

Time Inc. to Sell Direct Sales Business, Southern Living at HOME

Thursday 22. January 2009 - Time Inc. announced today that it will put Southern Living at HOME up for sale. Southern Living at HOME, a direct sales company of Southern Progress Corporation, a subsidiary of Time Inc., has been one of the fastest growing party-plan companies in the history of direct sales.

Founded in January 2001, Southern Living at HOME currently engages nearly 25,000 consultants who take the Southern Living style into all regions of the country through home parties. A range of products for decorating and entertaining are designed exclusively for the Southern Living at HOME customers.

“Established as an excellent brand extension to Southern Living eight years ago, the difficult economy has necessitated an evaluation of all our publishing and commercial activities and where we put our investment dollars and focus,” says Time Inc. Executive Vice President Sylvia Auton who oversees the Lifestyle Group. “In these more demanding times we have therefore decided to exit the direct selling business and concentrate on what we do best which is the creation and marketing of innovative market-leading print and digital brands.”