Myasnikova Elena Olgerdovna

Myasnikova Elena Olgerdovna

Biography

Education is philological faculty Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Germanist.

In 1990 Elena became the editor of the first Russian glossy magazine 'Moscow Magazine'.

In 1991 – the deputy chief editor of the Europe magazine.

1994: Publisher of Cosmopolitan

From 1994 to 2001 - together with Ellen Ferbeek (Derk Sauer's wife) headed the Cosmopolitan magazine, and then became his publisher.

2002-2008: CEO of Feshnpress

From 2002 to 2008 Elena Myasnikova as the CEO headed Feshnpress LLC (issues the magazines Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Harpers' Bazaar and others), is engaged in development of journal business of publishing house in Russian regions and in Ukraine.

2008-2012: CEO of Sanoma Independent Media

From January, 2008 to October, 2012 was the CEO of Sanoma Independent Media publishing house. Elena Myasnikova is included into the board of trustees of RBOO "Center of Medical Pedagogics" and into jury of the award "Big Book".

On September 6, 2012 it became known that Elena Myasnikova, the CEO of Sanoma Independent Media publishing house, made the decision to leave the company.

— As I also wrote in the part of the press release, I really very long thought over this solution. The reason of leaving is that Sanoma, as well as very many large international corporations today, changes the management system a little. They strengthen a power vertical, do the company more centralized, with more strong government of all local divisions. It concerned also us. Adoption of all solutions became strictly subordinated to the center. As a result of an opportunity to make decisions, to dispose of money and to employ employees who the CEO had were very strongly narrowed.

• Did you appear in a situation, uncomfortable for yourself?

• I understand that for many people who long work in large corporations this situation is usual and comfortable. But as I am from private business, I have a habit independently all to drive. And I appeared in a situation at which to do what is pleasant to me I could not. At the same time to do that I had to — and these are generally any reportings, audits and the presentations in a large number — I did not like to do. I understood that my abilities, skills and strengths are demanded now minimum. And those parties which I strong do not consider are as much as possible used, and, above all, to me it became just uninteresting.

• Kommersant writes that in the Russian department audit prepares. In what financial status do you leave it?

• The company is very profitable. We have very big margin, we are superuspeshna. At us if not most, then one of the most successful businesses in Sanoma. And we are included at least into the three of the most profitable publishing businesses in Russia. So all these changes are not connected with problems of the Russian business — it in a fine status. But I understand that in the conditions of the general deterioration in an economic situation in many other sanomovsky departments — in particular, in countries of Eastern Europe — the company undertakes similar measures everywhere. They book such audits in all countries, and there is nothing extraordinary in them. And I do not dispute solutions of Sanoma at all, and these audits are not connected with my leaving in any way. Though I should tell that I do not think that all these procedures — infinite audits and consultings in a large number — strongly improve business. And involvement of the whole crowds of consulting firms costs money much - it is precisely.

• How can your solution affect provision of the company?

• I think that it can affect advertizing revenues not in the best way. Now the management of Sanoma is in Russia, and, having appeared here, they well understood it. They, certainly, did not expect my leaving and such reaction to it. It seems to me that now they are going to make me some offers. We will have a talk today. But I precisely understand that I will not work more as the CEO and I will not work fulltaym in Sanoma. But, perhaps, as some consultant I will remain. Let's look.

• In the same note of Kommersant it is about possible departure of the chairman of the supervisory board Derk Sauer. Can you comment on these rumors somehow?

• I know that at it contract term expires. Also the decision was made that this contract will not be prolonged. But now I quite assume that as a result of today's meeting with top management something can change. I think that Sanoma will look for opportunities to leave me in the company though in some quality. And they will look for the same opportunities in relation to Derk Sauer.

• They say, you want to make laugh God — tell him about the plans. Therefore I will speak not about the plans, and about the desires. I have very clear idea of what I would like. I do not want to be a CEO, I do not want to be responsible for the operational management. I was tired of pieces of paper. I would like to find to myself work for two-three days a week in shareholder council of some large company that now I had a privilege to request these or those pieces of paper when I find it necessary, and not vice versa. If to work in one company will seem to me insufficient on time and money, I could sit in several councils of not competing companies. I with pleasure would be a permanent business consultant somewhere. So in general I, first, do not want paper work. Secondly, I do not want to have over myself series of chiefs. And I want to have more personal time. It is more than freedom, generally. Freedoms!^[1]

2012: Vice president of RBC

On November 27, 2012 announced JSC RBC creation of a position of the vice president of the company which, according to the reached agreements, will be held by Elena Myasnikova. As the vice president Elena Myasnikova will participate in development and strategy implementation of the company, development of the relations with advertisers and partners. Also announced JSC RBC receiving consent of Elena Myasnikova to promotion in board members of RBC at an extraordinary meeting of shareholders of the company on December 10, 2012.

2013: Onexim asks to look after the Snob magazine

In June, 2015 hackers published personal correspondence of Elena Myasnikova, at that time the vice president of RBC from which it became known that at least in 2013 approved the budget of Snob which formally does not belong to RBC with it though they and the general owner have Mikhail Prokhorov. In one of letters such explanation is offered:

"I work in RBC now, and Onexim asked me "look after" the Snob project "at the same time"".

The letter in which representatives of Snob approve financial plans with Elena Myasnikova

In April, 2013^[2] of Elena Myasnikova's interview^[2]:

ABOUT: — You one of the first began to work with foreign managers. In what a difference of approaches? What surprised you?

I eat: — I came to media in the western company more than twenty years ago and at once. Before I was a translator and the teacher of foreign languages. The English special school, faculty of philology of MSU, reading books in foreign languages. What could surprise me if I in principle almost had no Soviet psychology? Probably, shock at me would happen if I am included in the Pravda newspaper. As for a difference of approaches, of course, I faced it. For example, in a situation when we considered purchase of this or that asset. "I want 10 million for this business!" "Why ten, it is unprofitable?" "Because I invested 10 million". What difference how many you enclosed if the price in the market is much lower? Now it is almost absent, however recently — pretty often. To me also the relations in some Russian companies where the chief can throw an ashtray in the subordinate are unclear or change compensation conditions of the employee "therein".

ABOUT: — You told in one of an interview that it is very important for you free time. More often I face what people try to declare — I work twenty five hours a day.

I eat: — I the lived "twenty five hours a day", it is impossible to promote without similar stage. From sixteen to forty six years I lived in the mode of 12-14 working hours, and I would not go the CEO to the new place again, understanding that the first two years the eight-hour working day does not shine me. I can tell, looking at the subordinates that the youth appreciates free time initially now. Mountain skiing for a long weekend, a holiday in Latin America or to Goa. They fly to have a rest on five times a year. At the same time they are very effective as workers. I understand them and is sure that travel — one of the main meanings of "plowed land". Unlike the younger generation, I passed years ten lives when I already had money for trips, but there was no time. So I will also die, perhaps? I do not think that my position is unexpected, each person who reaches a certain provision and earnings begins to want to live a little.

ABOUT: — What else, except travel, carries away you?

I eat: — My garden. I like to receive guests and itself to visit....

Awards

The winner of the award "Media Manager of Russia" of 2004 in the Magazines nomination.

Owner of the award 'Media Manager of Decade' (2011)

Notes