Melina Gerosa Bellows, currently executive vice president of Children’s Publishing, has assumed the expanded role of chief creative officer for National Geographic Kids and Family, it was announced today by National Geographic Global Media (NGGM) President Tim Kelly.
In addition to overseeing the Children’s Book Division and serving as editor in chief of the award-winning National Geographic Kids and Little Kids magazines, Gerosa Bellows will work collaboratively across all NGGM units engaged in developing and producing kids- and family-oriented products, including Games, Entertainment and Digital Media, to manage the overall editorial characteristics of those products and ensure a consistent brand and marketing strategy. She also will play a key role in developing the broad business plans and strategies related to this important category. She will continue to report to John Q. Griffin, National Geographic executive vice president and president of publishing, on all publishing matters, and to Kelly in her broader capacity.
"Melina is a creative force who has succeeded in building a strong publishing base for National Geographic Kids, and who has contributed considerably to our broader Global Media strategy. We want to expand Melina’s editorial leadership to encompass the whole range of National Geographic kid-friendly products, from books to virtual worlds," said Kelly. "Her creativity, pitch-perfect sensibility about the National Geographic brand and energetic leadership are among our most valued, not-so-secret weapons as we expand and enhance the range of products and services we offer to families and children. Her new role ensures that every aspect of the NG Kids and Family franchise benefits from a coordinated, strategic editorial vision."
Gerosa Bellows joined National Geographic in 2000 as editor in chief of National Geographic Kids magazine, which under her leadership has grown to be the largest-circulation children’s magazine in the United States (1.1 million), with an additional 19 international editions. In 2007, she launched National Geographic Little Kids magazine for preschoolers and their parents. Little Kids now reaches more than 300,000 subscribers and has garnered the prestigious Parents’ Choice Gold Award for the past two years. In April 2010, Media Industry News (MIN) recognized the National Geographic Kids brand with a "Most Engaged Brand" award.
Most recently, Gerosa Bellows created the Nat Geo Amazing! franchise, which includes a book and 10-part television series that is currently airing on the National Geographic Channel.
A prolific author, Gerosa Bellows has written for numerous publications, ranging from the New York Times and Family Circle magazine to Entertainment Weekly and Elle. She also is an internationally published best-selling author, with titles that include "The Fun Book" series and the novel "Wish."
A graduate of Boston College Honors Program, Gerosa Bellows lives in Washington, D.C., with her two children.