Heather Perram Frank
Heather Perram Frank is a multifaceted professional known for her work as a writer, editor, media consultant, and former editor-in-chief of USA Today’s Weekend magazine. Born in 1959 in Washington, D.C., she graduated from Newcomb College at Tulane University and began her career in media as the general manager for New Media at WHERE Magazines. Frank's tenure at America Online from 1997 to 2003 was significant, where she developed pop-culture programming and led web content teams. After leaving AOL, she took on leadership roles at Meredith Corporation and Revolution Health, focusing on women's lifestyle media and content accuracy.
In 2008, she established Jump Strategies, a consultancy aimed at engaging female audiences in media. Frank's role at USA Today included general manager and later editor in chief of the "Your Life" section, culminating in her appointment as vice president of vertical development. Apart from her professional endeavors, Frank is also involved in community service, contributing to organizations that support youth and women. Currently, she is pursuing a career in music while continuing to engage with her audience through social media.
Subject Terms
Heather Perram Frank
Former executive director at America Online; former editor-in-chief of USA Today Weekend
- Born: 1959
- Place of Birth: Washington, D.C.
Primary Company/Organization: America Online
Introduction
Heather Perram Frank is a writer and editor, blogger, media consultant, and former editor-in-chief of USA Today's Weekend magazine. Her experience includes extensive media production at The Huffington Postand at the popular Internet service provider and media production company America Online.
Early Life
Heather Perram Frank was born in Washington, D.C., in 1959, the daughter of Anthony and Shirley Perram. She earned a bachelor's degree from Newcomb College at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1981. She began her career as the general manager for New Media for WHERE Magazines, a position she held until joining America Online (AOL) in 1997.
Life's Work
Frank worked with AOL from 1997 until 2003, serving first as a senior editor developing pop-culture programming and content, then as a group programming director. In all her positions at AOL, she managed web content teams to coordinate AOL programming with breaking events, and she was a media spokesperson for the programming department.
In 2005, after leaving AOL, Frank assumed the role of editor in chief of the Women's Lifestyle and Parenting Group for Meredith Corporation. There, she managed the content teams that produced web translations of traditional women's magazines such as Ladies' Home Journal, Family Circle, and Fitness. After 2007, she was employed by Revolution Health as a content editor, verifying the accuracy and validity of information prepublication, driving page views, and increasing and retaining readership.
In August 2008, Frank founded Jump Strategies, a media consultancy firm. The firm specializes in attracting female audiences to media ventures, such as websites and magazines.
In 2010, Frank joined the popular newspaper USA Today as general manager of the “Your Life” health and lifestyle section. Shortly thereafter, she was appointed vice president of vertical development for the same paper and was promoted to editor in chief of USA Today's Weekend magazine in January 2012. In that year she became owner of two trademarks, MEHAB and WEHAB, both listed as representing personal development firms. Frank left USA Today in 2014. As of 2024, Frank was working as a professional singer.
Personal Life
Frank lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, physician and author Justin Frank. She has served on the board of the Sitar Arts Center, an after-school arts program in Washington, and is a member of the organization's leadership council. She is also a member of the Washington Area Women's Foundation, which strives to ensure that economically vulnerable girls and women have the financial resources they need to flourish. She continues to write actively, posting as Missinformation on "X" (formerly Twitter).
Bibliography
“America, Online!” Sept. 1995. Wired. Web. 6 Mar. 2024.
“AOL Buys Huffington Post: The Beginning of the End?” 7 Feb. 2011. The Guardian. Web. 6 Mar. 2024.
AOL.com. “About AOL.” n.d. Web. 8 Aug. 2012.
“Heather Perram Frank.” n.d. LinkedIn.com. Web. 6 Mar. 2024.
“Heather Perram Frank Named Vice President of Vertical Development for USA Today.” 23 Sept. 2010. PR Newswire Web. 6 Mar. 2024.