Torstar Announces Craig Swinwood to Succeed Donna Hayes as Publisher and CEO of Harlequin

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 4, 2013) - Torstar (TSX:TS.B) today announced that Donna Hayes, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., has decided to retire effective December 31, 2013, and that as part of the succession planning process Craig Swinwood will become the new Publisher and CEO starting January 1, 2014.

Mr. Swinwood, 50, has worked at Harlequin for 26 years and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Harlequin North America.

"Donna Hayes has served Harlequin and Torstar with great distinction for the past 28 years," said David Holland, President and CEO of Torstar Corporation. "She has led Harlequin from being a series romance publisher to becoming a broad-based publisher of women's fiction and has demonstrated invaluable foresight in positioning Harlequin for a more digital future."

"Her commitment to the company, the employees and the Harlequin authors has been exemplary. We thank her deeply for all of her many contributions and wish her much happiness in retirement," Holland said.

John Honderich, chair of the board of Torstar, said Donna Hayes "has had an extraordinary career at Harlequin. Her passion for publishing, her stewardship through the transition to digital books and her total commitment to quality books has been simply outstanding. She will be very much missed."

Craig Swinwood is a natural successor to Donna Hayes. Since joining Harlequin, he has served in a variety of progressive sales and marketing roles, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer, responsible for North America.

"Craig's 26 years of experience with Harlequin, his publishing acumen and his demonstrated leadership qualities make him ideally suited to be Harlequin's next Publisher and Chief Executive Officer," Holland said. "During his career at Harlequin, he has played a key role in the growth of the single title business, the development of the Harlequin non-fiction and teen strategies and has been a driving force in the transition from print to digital publishing in North America."

Mr. Swinwood said he is "very pleased to have the opportunity to continue growing the legacy of success and innovation that has always been a hallmark of the iconic Harlequin brand. It's a privilege to lead a great Canadian-based multinational company that has earned a global reputation in women's fiction publishing."

ABOUT TORSTAR CORPORATION

Torstar Corporation is a broadly based media and book publishing company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TS.B). Its businesses include the Star Media Group led by the Toronto Star, Canada's largest daily newspaper; Free Daily News Group Inc., which publishes the English-language Metro newspapers in several Canadian cities; Metroland Media Group, publisher of community and daily newspapers in Ontario; and also include digital properties including thestar.com, Workopolis, wagjag.com, toronto.com, save.ca, Olive Media, and eyeReturn Marketing; and Harlequin, a leading global publisher of books for women.