Leena Karo has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Iiris, a new title to be launched by Sanoma Magazines, Finland’s leading magazine publisher, in March next year. Iiris will be aimed at Finland’s some 1.5 million women and men aged between 50 and 64. Its concept represents an innovative mix of the best aspects of women’s and general interest titles.Leena Karo is best known for her 17-year career as Editor-in-Chief of Finland’s largest women’s magazine, Kodin Kuvalehti. Earlier in her career, she served as Publications Manager at Sanoma Custom Publishing and as a Journalist on magazines such as Kodin Kuvalehti and Finland’s leading daily, Helsingin Sanomat.“We want Iiris to offer a real sense of community and be adventurous and full of life, with a personality all its own, for a generation of people in their fifties and sixties that has been surprisingly invisible in the Finnish media up until now,” says Leena Karo. “It is great to have the opportunity to create a new type of magazine for people who love reading and are interested in the world around them and open to new ideas. I believe that we will bring a new voice to the Finnish magazine world, highlighting new perspectives, subjects, and people.”Taru Castrén has been appointed the magazine’s Art Director. She joined Sanoma Magazines in June from Bonniers Publications, where she was the AD for Divaani. She previously served as AD on titles such as Kotiliesi, Viini-lehti, and Anna, and has worked on numerous customer magazines and made a name for herself as an illustrator of textbooks and children’s books.Heimo Hatakka has been appointed Journalist. He joined Sanoma Magazines in September from Talentum, where he was Managing Editor and acting Editor-in-Chief of Markkinointi&Mainonta, a Journalist on Talouselämä, and Managing Editor of Talouselämä Platinum. In addition to journalism, Heimo Hatakka has also written a number of non-fiction books, a storybook for children, and the lyrics for over 100 songs.Further additions to the editorial team at Iiris will be made during the winter prior to the launch on 9 March 2012; nine editions are planned for the magazine’s first year.Further information:Publisher Riitta Pollari, Magazines Unit, tel. +358 (0)9 120 5305Editor-in-Chief Leena Karo, Iiris, tel. +358 (0)9 120 5435Sanoma Magazines Finland is Finland’s leading magazine publisher, with a portfolio of more than 40 titles read by over 3 million Finns. We are the market leader in women’s and family magazines, children’s and juvenile publications, and consumer IT titles. In addition to magazines and books, a growing amount of content and services is also available online today. Our Custom Publishing Unit produces multichannel communications services for many of Finland’s leading companies.Sanoma Magazines Finland is part of the Sanoma Group, a major European media company active in over 20 countries.