MUMBAI: US based Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO) has announced that Susan Lyne, an experienced television, film and publishing executive, will be its president and CEO.

She succeeds Sharon Patrick who has informed the board of her wish to resign as president and CEO.

Lyne has served as a director of the troubled media firm since June 2004. She said, " I am proud to lead MSO during this next phase of the company's growth. The company's foundation is remarkably strong, with a consumer base that is unusually loyal.

"It attests to the enduring appeal of the Martha Stewart brand and the exceptional people who bring it to life. We will continue to create new 'how to' content and deliver what our loyal audiences expect from us. We believe we can be the place to go for information about the home across all media platforms."

MSO is organised into four business segments. These are publishing, television, merchandising, and Internet/Direct Commerce.

The company's founder Martha Stewart is currently serving a five month prison sentence. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) found her guilty for lying to investigators about her sale of ImClone Systems stock in late 2000.