Visionary Media Executive to Collaborate With Management Team to
Continue Development of Leading Lifestyle Brand for Latin Women

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Latina Media Ventures LLC (LMV), the leading integrated media company for bicultural U.S. Latin women, today announced that Edward Lewis has been named Chairman of the Board. Mr. Lewis will work closely with the LMV management team to further strengthen and expand the company’s platforms, including Latina Magazine and its digital media and consumer events businesses.

Mr. Lewis is one of the publishing industry’s most respected executives. He is the Chairman and founder of Essence Communications Inc., which he built into one of the country’s largest African-American multi-media organizations. Essence Communications, the publisher of ESSENCE, the leading lifestyle magazine for African-American women, was acquired by Time Inc. in 2005. In 1996, Mr. Lewis and Essence, together with Christy Haubegger, co-founded Latina Magazine, recognizing the significant opportunity to create the first lifestyle magazine to exclusively address the interests of bicultural Latin women in the U.S. Mr. Lewis previously served as Vice Chairman of LMV.

Molly F. Ashby, Chief Executive Officer of Solera Capital, the majority owner of LMV, said, “We are delighted that Ed Lewis, who had the vision to support the creation of Latina magazine more than a decade ago, is now taking an increased leadership role at LMV, demonstrating his commitment to the brand and confidence in its future. We are fortunate to be able to leverage his deep experience, outstanding reputation and extensive relationships in the advertising community. Ed has been a wonderful resource to LMV and we are grateful for his continued contributions.”

Mr. Lewis said, “Latina has accomplished so much in its short history and is exceptionally positioned for the future. LMV’s media platforms resonate meaningfully with U.S. Latin women, an influential group and an attractive audience for our business partners. Solera has been a wonderful sponsor and partner and I look forward to my enhanced partnership with Molly and the Board, and to working even more closely with the LMV management team whose accomplishments in the past year are inspirational.”

Mr. Lewis is also the former Chairman of the Magazine Publisher’s of America (MPA), the industry association representing more than 240 domestic publishing companies with approximately 1,400 titles, more than 80 international companies and more than 100 associate members. Mr. Lewis serves on the board of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company and on several civic boards, including the Partnership for New York City and the American Council of Medicine. He was appointed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

About Latina Media Ventures

Latina Media Ventures LLC is the premier integrated media company serving the growing U.S. Hispanic Marketplace. LMV’s diverse media platforms include its flagship magazine, Latina, the leading lifestyle publication for bicultural Latin women in the U.S. with an audience in excess of 4 million, as well as Latina.com and consumer events. LMV is majority owned by Solera Capital LLC, a New York-based private equity investment firm.

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