New Reader's Digest Website Launched

The new flagship RD.com site has been launched with the help of FROM, based on the Reader's Digest Version strategy bringing to users the best tips and ideas from hundreds of sources. The site has already hit an all time high in several million page hits.

NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Reader's Digest, the world's largest global editorial brand whose name is synonymous with "getting to the heart of the matter," returns to its roots as content curator with its February 2011 issue, on newsstands January 18. Simultaneously the brand launches its iPad app, a revamped website known as Reader's Digest Version (at rd.com), and a 100 city "We Hear You America" tour, it was jointly announced today by Peggy Northrop, Global Editor in Chief, Reader's Digest and Dan Lagani, President, Reader's Digest Media.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110118/NY30963 )

"The topics on everybody's mind in the New Year -- from losing weight to acing a job interview and becoming an all-around happier person -- are well represented in our February issue," said Northrop. "We're now curating the best tips and ideas from hundreds of sources, including national newspapers like The New York Times, specialty journals like The Harvard Business Review, trustworthy websites like WebMD, and even radio and television. Add to that our reader-generated humor and our award-winning reporting about ordinary Americans, and it's a fresh interpretation of our original, wildly successful promise."  

"2011 is a year of continuous innovation and growth for the Reader's Digest brand," added Mr. Lagani. "In addition to returning to our roots as the original content curator, we're rolling out 24 new products across multiple platforms, ensuring that Reader's Digest is available in any format that people want. This month alone, we'll launch an iPad version of the magazine; the Best You brand, including books, an eNewsletter and website; the iPhone app 'Jokes & Funny True Stories'; and the all-new Reader's Digest Version website. Together with our 'We Hear You America' campaign, Reader's Digest is connecting with people in towns and cities across America in more ways than ever."

An integral part of the digital transformation, the iPad app will offer the full editorial pages from the printed edition, including an expertly curated "Digest" section organized by  theme (health, work, personal finance, travel, family, food, and books).  Additional offerings include iPad-only photos, slide shows, and video interviews; an interactive Word Power game complete with audio pronunciations; family-friendly humor, including an automatically updated "Joke of the Day" feature; worthwhile web links; exclusive book excerpts and author interviews; an interactive "Around the World with One Question" poll; classic reads from the Reader's Digest archives; and beginning with the March issue, the "Daily Digest," an automatically updated page featuring the best, most recent posts from the newly launched Reader's Digest Version website.

On the new Readers Digest Version website at rd.com, content will be updated throughout the day and focus on quick, concise, and actionable solutions and tips.  Material will be expertly curated and condensed from a wide spectrum of trustworthy sources along with a bottom line commentary from the Reader's Digest editors.  Links to the original sources will be provided so that users can access full original stories if they choose.

In tandem with this transformation, Reader's Digest is taking its' "We Hear You America" campaign on the road to 100 towns and cities to celebrate the "Best of America."  The RV tour launches January 18 to offer funds and promotional support to communities across the U.S. during these difficult economic times. To be among the communities eligible for the support, people can go to rd.com and "cheer" for their towns through February 7.  (Please see details on the tour in a separate announcement also issued today.)

The February 2011 magazine and iPad issues of Reader's Digest will feature the following stories:

• Cover Story: "Is This Any Way to Lose Weight" - Award-winning science journalist Gary Taubes gives the magazine his Reader's Digest Version of why conventional diets don't work and what people can do to lose weight (based on his new book, Why We Get Fat and What to Do About it)
• Fast Fixes For Winter Woes - The best fixes can sometimes be found in your own cupboard (WebMD)
• 17 Job Interview Tips - If companies start hiring again, or you want to make a move, consider this expert advice (Money, WSJ.com, among others)
• When Can You Retire?  - Are you're golden years suddenly looking a lot less golden and a lot farther off? (Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, gallup.com, among others)
• The Bottom Line on Happiness - How to use the tools of business to create a life of fulfillment and integrity (Harvard Business Review)
• Miracle Boy - Reader's Digest tracks down a young Haitian boy whose image -- triumphantly smiling while being pulled from the rubble after seven days -- made him a symbol of hope around the world (Polaris and supplemented by original reporting and video)

SOURCE Reader's Digest