Johnson Publishing Co. announced Monday that Anne Sempowski Ward has resigned as president and COO of the media company. A replacement was not named.
“Anne has been a significant asset to our company and led key, corporate-wide initiatives for Ebony Jet, and Fashion Fair,†said Linda Johnson, chairman and CEO Johnson Publishing (No. 22 on the BE Industrial Service Companies list with $200 million in revenues). “During Anne’s tenure, we underwent significant restructuring and reorganization of the company. Her contributions have helped to position the company for the future.â€
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The company quickly dismissed rumors that consultant Desiree Rogers would replace Sempowski Ward, according to reports. “Ms. Desiree Rogers is not replacing Anne Sempowski Ward. As we’ve stated from the onset of her June 1 role, she serves as a strategic consultant for the company. She is not being considered for president and COO,” according to Folio.
Sempowski Ward said she will be joining her husband in a business-consulting venture and spending more time with their newborn.
“It has been a phenomenal privilege to be the first member from outside of the Johnson family to serve as president and COO of both the publishing and cosmetics divisions of Johnson Publishing Company,†said Sempowski Ward.
Sempowski Ward joined JPC in 2007 as the president and chief operating officer of Fashion Fair Cosmetics where she led all aspects of sales, product development, supply chain, and marketing. In 2008 she was promoted to her current position.
Since the beginning of the year, JPC, which publishes Ebony and Jet magazines has seen its fair share of shake ups and tragedy, beginning in January with the death of co-founder Eunice Johnson. Since then, the company has hired Amy DuBois Barnett, who replaced Harriet Cole as editor in chief of Ebony, and former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers as a consultant; and was almost acquired by Magic Johnson Enterprises.