RDA names new MD as Axberg exits

Reader's Digest Association (RDA) has named Walter Beyleveldt its managing director for Asia Pacific as Christopher Axberg exits after nearly 15 months in the role.Beyleveldt  will be based in Sydney.The company is also integrating the Asia and Australia, New Zealand, South Africa (ANZSA) regions into one organisation under unified leadership in a bid to centralise business functions."This will reduce duplication and better leverage the skills and expertise across Asia Pacific," an official statement from the company said.Axberg confirmed his departure to Marketing saying he is exploring options both within and outside of RDA.Beyleveldt brings more than 18 years' experience to the company and was most recently MD for RDA in ANZSA."This move is a further step in the strategy we started two years ago when we created our Asia Pacific database, promotions and operations departments.  We are confident that we have the right strategy which provides essential staff to focus on our core business but also provides the prospect to grow new business opportunities," Beyleveldt said.Local editions of the company's core magazines, Reader's Digest Magazine and Handyman Magazine will continue to be produced in their respective countries and languages across the region.