The Board of Trustees of Blood-Horse Publications today announced that Marla Bickel has been appointed as Publisher & CEO, succeeding Stacy V. Bearse, who will retire from the company on Nov. 1.

"I applaud the Board's selection," said Mr. Bearse. "Marla is one of the brightest and most progressive professionals I've encountered during my years in publishing. I have no doubt that she will continue to develop innovative new ways to serve our global audience of readers and marketing partners."

Bickel joined Blood-Horse Publications (BHP), parent company of The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care and TheHorse.com, in 2006 as Director of Circulation and was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2008. She has more than 20 years of experience in publishing both trade and consumer magazines. Prior to joining Blood-Horse Publications, Bickel was a Sales Director and Publisher at The National Underwriter Company (now Summit Business Media).

Under her leadership, the BHP embarked on a number of significant transformations. Traditional direct-mail solicitation was largely abandoned for digital audience-development methods. And, a series of new business ventures were developed to meet a burgeoning demand for fast, authoritative delivery of content. These new products included electronic newsletters, webinars, and the TrueNicks data service. Bickel serves as a Director of TrueNicks LLC