Tracy Melass new Shape editor

Tracy Melass

"I feel enormously privileged to take over the helm at Shape," comments Melass, whose debut issue will appear in August, "and relish the opportunity to grow this prestigious brand and its community of passionate, loyal readers.

"I aim to build on the existing success of the brand and continue to produce top-class content that is expert-driven, accessible, and relevant to South African women. We all want to achieve optimal health and wellness, yet know how challenging this can be. Shape offers women practical solutions and inspiring advice to achieve this."

Fifteen-year career

In her 15-year career in journalism, Melass has worked at a variety of news dailies and glossies, both in South Africa and the UK. Apart from being editor at Psychologies since 2006, she has also been deputy editor at O, The Oprah Magazine and held senior editorial positions at ThisDay newspaper and Style magazine.

Melass holds an English honours degree from Wits University and a post-graduate diploma in journalism from Rhodes University. She spent five years in London, where she worked, among other titles, at The Independent and Sunday Business newspapers, and NewsAfrica magazine. She also worked as editor for Southern Cross magazine, a weekly news, sport and lifestyle title for Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders living in the UK.

"Tracy brings tremendous journalistic experience and dynamism to Shape, along with a lifetime passion for health and fitness," says Liezl de Swardt, GM at the Women's Interest division of Media24 Magazines.

"Depth of knowledge"

"Her eclectic media background, coupled with her tenure as editor of Psychologies magazine and deputy editor of O, The Oprah Magazine, give her a depth of knowledge in the wellness field. A move to Shape is a natural extension of this knowledge of emotional wellness into that of physical wellness," she said.

De Swardt added that Melass is well-versed in the operational and commercial realities of producing a magazine, and "very importantly, understands the power of social media and the need for a brand to stretch across multiple platforms."

"We are delighted to have the fresh inspiration, dynamic vision and drive that Tracy is known for within the industry, and look forward to going from strength to strength with her at the helm," concluded De Swardt.

For more about Shape, go to www.shapemag.co.za and www.facebook.com/ShapeSA, and follow @Shape_SA on Twitter.