RealSimple.com Revamps Site With New Home Page, Fresh Daily Content and Launch of New Blog Network, Simply Stated
March 3, 2008
March 3, 2008 (New York, NY) – RealSimple.com will refresh its website this week with an updated, easier-to-use homepage, original daily content and a new multi-channel blog network, “Simply Stated”, it was announced today by Kristin van Ogtrop, Managing Editor, Real Simple. The new online offerings include daily tips and solutions, recipes, exclusive photo galleries and more. Following on the success of Kristin van Ogtrop’s personal blog, “Adventures in Chaos” and the popular wedding blog “Nearly Wed”, “Simply Stated” will feature several, top-tier bloggers and Real Simple editors across the following categories: food, home and organizing, beauty and style, life and soul, celebrations, and tech. All blog content will be unique to RealSimple.com.
“RealSimple.com has become a unique community hub for women looking to make life easier,” says Kristin van Ogtrop, Managing Editor, Real Simple. “We’re looking forward to enhancing our daily online content with the launch of Simply Stated. This partnership with already-established bloggers is groundbreaking in the magazine industry.”
“We are thrilled to partner with these amazing bloggers, who were hand-selected as the best names in their respective categories,” says Tanya Singer, Executive Director, RealSimple.com. “This reciprocal relationship will no doubt increase traffic and exposure for both RealSimple.com and the individual bloggers’ sites.”
Time Inc. has committed to RealSimple.com as a top priority for 2008, positioning it as the online destination for busy women looking to make life easier. The site celebrated a banner year in 2007, with a 50% page view increase year-over-year with total visits increasing by 68%.The site refresh is the first stage of a multi-phase online makeover. RealSimple.com, a critical element of the company’s 2008 digital strategy, will undergo a full re-launch in August.
The blog network will debut with eight top-rated bloggers who each already have a strong following. They will provide fresh content to RealSimple.com in addition to continuing their outside blogging efforts. More names will be announced in the coming months, and Real Simple has also invited a select group of its editors to blog on the site.
Home & Organizing
- Erin Doland, Unclutterer.com
This clutter-busting blogger doesn’t profess to know it all. In fact, Doland admits she was a pack-rat before she recognized the value of simplicity. She will blog about the biggest organizing challenges and offer smart strategies for decluttering.
- Holly Becker, Decor8.blogspot.com
With 10 years of writing and facilities management experience working for Fortune 500 companies, including designers, salon owners and artists, Becker brings ultra-chic decorating style and great design content to the home blog.
Tech
- Manic Mommies, manicmommies.com
Manicmommies are thirty-something mothers struggling to balance careers, children, husbands and housework…all while maintaining their sanity! These computer-savvy moms will contribute to the new tech blog.
- Dory Devlin, tech.yahoo.com/blogs/devlin
Devlin, a 20-year journalist and mother of five, offers her expertise on balancing work and home. Having lived through her share of computer and IT problems, Devlin will share the best down-to-earth, easy-to-follow for women.
Food
- Kim O’Donnel, blog.washingtonpost.com/mighty-appetite
O’Donnel is a trained cook, food journalist and cooking instructor. The Philadelphia native and host of “What’s Cooking”, a weekly live chat on washingtonpost.com, has experience as a diner waitress, bakery manager, dessert girl and salad washer. She will discuss meatless meals on RealSimple.com’s food blog.
Beauty & Style
- Michelle Madhok, shefinds.com/blog
As the Founder of shefinds.com and momfinds.com, Madhok helps busy women find the latest beauty and style trends online. A renowned online shopping expert, Madhok is also a contributing editor for MSN Shopping, Cotton Incorporated and the American Heart Association.
Life & Soul
- Gretchen Rubin, happiness-project.com
Rubin, a former lawyer from Kansas City, is an avid writer in pursuit of happiness. Her current blog is an account of her adventures and insights as she grapples with this life-challenge, and she will have much to share with readers of her new life & soul blog.
Celebrations
- Jennifer Sbranti, hostessblog.com
An accomplished designer, entrepreneur, and entertaining guru from San Francisco, Sbranti is the Founder of Hostess with the Mostess, Inc. She will share smart, no-hassle entertaining ideas with RealSimple.com visitors.
About Real Simple
Real Simple was launched by Time Inc. in March 2000 and has quickly become one of the industry’s biggest success stories. The brand has struck a chord with busy women looking to make life easier, currently reaching 7.3 million readers per month through its magazine alone.
Real Simple has expanded its brand premise, “life made easier,” to other platforms, including: online; books; international editions; television; two innovative product lines sold at Target; a syndicated newspaper column; and a daily presence on XM Satellite Radio.
Contact:
Amanda Potters - 212-522-0105
Ra’Chelle Rogers - 212-522-2724
