Reader's Digest Association, Inc.

Mary Berner is the CEO of Reader's Digest Association, Inc..

The Reader's Digest Association (RDA) is a publishing and direct marketing company. It publishes Reader's Digest magazine and produces a range of related products including books, gifts, music and home video collections.

In early 2007, Reader's Digest Association was bought for $1.61 billion ($17 a share) by an investment group led by private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings LLC, run by Timothy Collins. The buyout saddled the company with over $2 billion in debt. The debt burden proved too heavy for Reader's Digest, and on August 24, 2009 the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The bankruptcy filing will result in a number of banks becoming the new owners of RDA, and Ripplewood Holdings will no longer have an interest in the company.

The bankruptcy applies to Reader's Digest U.S. businesses. RDA operations in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia-New Zealand were not part of the filing.

Reader's Digest magazine is a general interest, family-oriented publication known for positive, conservative and pro-American views. The magazine is published in 48 editions and 19 languages, reaching 85 million readers every month including 44 million in the United States.

According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, Reader's Digest is the best-selling magazine in the United States, excluding the membership publications of AARP which are delivered as member benefits.

DeWitt Wallace created Reader's Digest based on the idea of a magazine containing condensed articles from many popular magazines. The first issue was published on February 5, 1922, and it quickly became a successful commercial venture. While the magazine continues to position itself as summarizing and reprinting articles taken from other sources, for decades the company has created most of the writing in the magazine. The magazine plants lengthy articles in other media so they can then be 'condensed' for Reader's Digest.

In April 2002, the Reader's Digest Association bought Reiman Publications L.L.C., based in Greendale, Wisconsin. The purchase price was $760 million. Reiman is a publisher of cooking, gardening, and lifestyle magazines and books, including category leaders like Taste of Home, a cooking magazine with over 3 million subscribers. Today the Reiman publications are part of the "Food & Entertaining@RDA" division of Reader's Digest Association.

Contact Information

Web Site:	www.readersdigest.com/corporate/
Telephone:	914.238.1000
Fax:	914.238.4559
Address:	Reader's Digest Road Pleaantville NY 10570-7000 USA

National Media Properties

Select a media outlet to find a detailed profile at Mondo Times, the worldwide media guide.

Backyard Living Magazine

Birds & Blooms Magazine

Cooking for 2 Magazine

Country Magazine

Country Woman Magazine

Crafting Traditions Magazine

Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine

Family Handyman Magazine

Farm & Ranch Living Magazine

Healthy Cooking Magazine

Reader's Digest Magazine

Reminisce Magazine

Simple and Delicious Magazine

Taste Of Home Magazine

Comments about Reader's Digest Association, Inc.

Comments to date: 87. The most recent comments are below.


Diana Wolverton Cambridge,Ohio	Posted at 9:21am on Saturday, March 6th, 2010
I to have been sent two books i did not order. I have not received a bill yet,and i do not want these books.I did not ask for them and I am not paying for them. do not send any more.


Jackie Columbus, USA	Posted at 6:24pm on Sunday, February 14th, 2010
I also received 2 books. I never singed up for any books from this Readers Digest Ass. I will also call the number above and complain about the scam. Thank you Brenda for providing this number.


Brenda Shaw El Paso, Texas	Posted at 9:24pm on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
I, too, have recently (Jan/Feb 2010) received 2 pkgs of books with 4 short stories in each and boxes were marked FREE GIFT so I opened them and one of them contained the free train car that I see others have spoken about receiving in these comments & which I NEVER ordered any of these things. Then today I received a statement saying I owed $30.00 + dollars with an envelope to return. Well, I will not be returning any money to Readers Digest AT ALL and would appreciate you taking me off your mailing list. I have not signed up for anything and don't appreciate you sending out these pkgs falsely saying these are FREE GIFTS and then billing for them. You will not be getting any money from me and I will call the 800-463-8820 to complain there also. You don't put any phone #'s on your billing statement, I guess that is on purpose so that you think people won't try to contact you and just send you the money but you are barking up the wrong tree HERE....I will refuse any other pkgs that arrive here in El Paso for me.


Vivvene Whitaker Grand Blanc,Michigan	Posted at 5:27pm on Saturday, February 6th, 2010
I have received 2 Select Edition books and a pen. I DO NOT want anymore books or gifts. DO NOT send me anything!!!! Thank you in advance,I did not ask or order anything from you!


Media Owners editors Boulder, Colorado USA	Posted at 12:13pm on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Reader's Digest Association To Emerge from Bankruptcy by January 31, 2010 January 15, 2010 – Readers Digest Association announced today that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York confirms its Plan of Reorganization, clearing the way for RDA to emerge from bankruptcy by January 31, 2010. Under the terms of the Plan of Reorganization, RDA will reduce its total debt by 75% from more than $2.2 billion to approximately $555 million. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, holders of RDA’s senior secured debt will receive equity, effectively transferring ownership of RDA to the lender group.


sandra mathes coeur d' alene, idaho	Posted at 4:55pm on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
I HAVE RECEIVED 2 BOOKS ALSO AND DO NOT WANT THEM, I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN, BUT TO WHOM? DO NOT SEND ME ANY MORE AND I WILL PRETEND THAT THE 2 BOOKS WERE GIFTS, AS THE MESSAGE ON THE BOX SAYS I HAVE BEEN SENT A FREE GIFT PLLUS A NEW CUSTOMER BONUS GIFT. (THE TRAIN AND A PEN) PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MORE- THANK YOU


Betty Pepper Boynton Beach, FL USA	Posted at 4:44pm on Sunday, December 27th, 2009
I have just received 3 cheap snowglobes obviously which I did not order with no invoice or explanation. Apparently, I am not the only victim of this. Also, I also renewed my subscription in July and have the cancelled check to prove it but am told my subscription ran out in October 09 (which is originally did) until I paid for another in July. What kind of fraud is being perpetuated here? Readers Digest, your reputation is definitely at stake!


D Amerine Blaine MN	Posted at 2:18pm on Sunday, December 6th, 2009
I too haved been getting those studip. books. Pease do do send me any more books.


Nora McGrath Staten Island, N.Y.	Posted at 11:51am on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
I, too, am having problems with my subscription to the magazine. They cashed my check back in July for a renewal covering period 11/16/09 to 11/16/10 and now they sent me a final renewal notice saying my subscription will run out on 11/16/09! I had problems with them years ago and thought these had been solved but I guess not. What a shame. I've written a letter to the President & CEO and will await a reply (hmmmm). Do I have to hold my breath for this?


Drew Teague Orrville, OH	Posted at 3:54pm on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Thank you Frances for posting the number to call (1-800-463-8820) to have the unordered Select Edition books stopped. I spoke with a representative and they said that it would be taken care of. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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