Meredith Corp. names Steven Grune VP of Brand Licensing, filling a post vacant since February and adding responsibilities for the newly acquired Time Inc. properties.

Grune, formerly VP and Group Publisher of Meredith Parents Network, will report to Meredith Consumer Products President Tom Witschi. Grune will oversee a licensing program that extends brands including Better Homes and Gardens, EatingWell and Allrecipes, among others. Grune’s position also will be responsible for licensing of newly acquired Time Inc. titles including Southern Living (Dillard’s DTR), Real Simple (Bed Bath and Beyond) and Food & Wine.

Cooking Light, which is being combined with EatingWell starting with the January issue, will retain a separate brand licensing program that includes deals with Epoca International (cookware, bakeware), Soda Stream (sparkling drink mixes), among others, says a Meredith spokesperson.

Grune fills a position vacant since Elise Contarsy departed earlier this year. Sondra Newkirk will remain senior director of licensing based at Meredith’s headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa with a focus the company’s massive agreement with Realogy, the licensee for Better Homes and Gardens real estate agencies. Senior Account Director Toye Cody will continue to head up Meredith’s pact with Walmart for Better Homes and Gardens.

Kristen Payne, formerly VP of Licensing and Brand Management at Time Inc., will oversee Time’s legacy brands including Real Simple, Southern Living and Food & Wine.

The moves in licensing come amid a broader restructuring of Meredith as it integrates the Time Inc. business. With the combining of Cooking Light and EatingWell, Meredith is trimming about 200 jobs, in addition to another 200 positions eliminated in March.

Contact:

Steven Grune, VP Licensing, 212-551-6999, steven.grune@meredith.com