Mandy Richardson, longtime publisher of Little Rock Soirée magazine and founder of the Soirée Women’s Leadership Symposium and Arkansas Business Women’s Leadership Summits, has been named president of Arkansas Business Publishing Group’s consumer media division effective in January.
ABPG is the parent company of Soirée, Arkansas Business and 28 other specialty publications and digital products. The consumer sector is ABPG’s largest revenue division. Its portfolio includes Soirée, Arkansas Bride, Arkansas Next, Fort Worth luxury lifestyle publication 360West and several others, as well as the digital marketing and web design company Flex360.
“Mandy is one of the strongest operators and brand leaders in our company,” says Mitch Bettis, president and CEO of ABPG. “Her understanding of the audiences and her ability to drive both creative and financial results will be essential as we continue to grow.”
Richardson will continue to serve as publisher of Soirée along with a broader leadership role across print, digital, events and emerging revenue lines.
Credit: Sarah Oden
Richardson on stage with SWLS 2023 keynote speaker Mia Hamm.
“Assuming leadership of our consumer division is a tremendous responsibility and an exciting business opportunity as we position our brands, publications and projects for the next decade of growth,” Richardson says. “I am grateful for the confidence placed in me and look forward to partnering with our teams to drive disciplined innovation, strengthen performance across all revenue streams and create even greater value for our readers, eventgoers, clients and company.”
The announcement marks a “strategic leadership realignment” as part of [ABPG’s] long-term plan. Bettis will remain in his roles as company president/CEO, publisher of Arkansas Business and head of the business media division. With Richardson taking the consumer reins, Bettis will focus primarily on the company’s next stage of development.
“We see significant growth opportunities ahead — both in strengthening the products that have built our reputation and in developing and acquiring new revenue initiatives that will carry us through the next decade,” he says. “Reaching these goals requires sustained leadership focus. Mandy is uniquely equipped to guide our consumer brands as we grow.”
Click here to learn more about ABPG’s library of publications, and see more from the company on Facebook and Instagram.