Trusted Media Brands
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media, Publishing |
| Predecessor | Reader's Digest Association, Inc. |
| Founded | 1 January 1922 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | DeWitt Wallace, Lila Bell Wallace |
| Headquarters | New York City and White Plains , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (over 30 countries) |
Key people | Bonnie Kintzer (CEO) |
| Products | Reader's Digest, Taste of Home, The Family Handyman, FailArmy, Birds & Blooms, Reminisce, Country, EnrichU, and others |
Number of employees | 7,200 (1986) |
| Website | trustedmediabrands |
Trusted Media Brands, Inc. (TMBI), previously known as the Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (RDA), operates as a multi-platform media and publishing enterprise with dual headquarters in New York City and White Plains, New York. Established in 1922 by entrepreneurs DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace, the company began with the launch of Reader's Digest magazine.
The TMBI portfolio features prominent titles such as Reader's Digest, Taste of Home, The Family Handyman, FailArmy, Birds & Blooms, Reminisce, Country, and EnrichU. At its height in 1973, Reader's Digest boasted a subscriber base exceeding 30 million across 30 nations. By 2016, TMBI’s brands attracted a monthly audience of 53 million unique digital visitors and 40 million print readers, demonstrating considerable growth in digital presence and market reach.
History
Trusted Media Brands, Inc. (TMBI) originated as Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (RDA), founded in New York City in 1922 by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace, who self-published the initial edition of Reader's Digest. The company’s early marketing efforts concentrated on direct mail campaigns targeting nurses and teachers. By 1925, RDA had moved its headquarters to Westchester County, New York. Subscriber numbers expanded rapidly: from 30,000 in 1927 to 3 million by 1939, reaching 30 million by 1973.
During George Grune’s leadership as CEO beginning in 1986, RDA broadened its scope through acquisitions such as Travel Holiday (1986), The Family Handyman (1987), and American Health (1990). That year also marked RDA’s initial public offering, with a workforce of 7,200 employees operating across 54 international offices. In 1991, the company entered children's publishing by acquiring Joshua Morris Publishing.
A major acquisition took place in 2002 when RDA purchased Reiman Publications for $760 million, incorporating titles like Taste of Home, Country Woman, and Birds & Blooms into its lineup. The company introduced Every Day with Rachael Ray in 2005 and acquired Allrecipes.com in 2006; both assets were sold to Meredith Corporation by 2012.
In 2007, Ripplewood Holdings led a $1.6 billion buyout that took RDA private once again. The company filed for bankruptcy protection twice—in 2009 and again in 2012—but successfully reemerged in 2013. Bonnie Kintzer was named CEO in April 2014, returning to the organization with prior experience from an earlier tenure.
Kintzer spearheaded the rebranding of the company to Trusted Media Brands, Inc. (TMBI) in September 2015 to better represent its expanded media holdings beyond just Reader's Digest. The firm redirected efforts toward digital content creation, social media engagement, and video platforms. By 2016, TMBI had grown its online unique visitors to over 53 million alongside robust print readership and social media followings. That same year saw the divestiture of its children’s publishing division to Readerlink Distribution Services.
In August 2021, TMBI enhanced its digital media capabilities by acquiring Jukin Media, a viral video licensing company, strengthening its position within digital content distribution.
Brands and publications
Trusted Media Brands oversees a diverse array of media properties across both print and digital channels. Reader's Digest, continuously published since its inception in 1922, features real-life stories, practical advice, and humor and has historically been recognized as the largest consumer magazine in the United States.
Taste of Home specializes in culinary recipes and home cooking narratives and produces web series including Fun with Food! and America the Tasty. The Family Handyman provides authoritative DIY advice along with home improvement and repair tips.
Birds & Blooms, acknowledged as North America’s leading birdwatching and gardening publication, covers topics related to gardening, crafts, environmental issues, and backyard wildlife habitats.
Other magazine offerings include Country, Country Woman, Simple & Delicious, Reminisce, Prevention, Farm & Ranch Living, EnrichU, LifeRich Publishing, and Haven Home, collectively broadening the company’s extensive product range.
Business Divisions
- North America
- Reader's Digest, RD.com, magazines, and book publications
- Taste of Home, TasteofHome.com, periodicals, and books
- The Family Handyman, Birds & Blooms, Country, Farm & Ranch Living, Haven Home, and Reminisce
- EnrichU and Taste Digital Community platforms
- Jukin Media
- International
(Engagements and licensing across more than 30 countries)
- RD Europe, Africa & Middle East
- RD Asia Pacific
- RD Canada
- RD Latin America