Esquire editor-in-chief David Granger is exiting the men’s magazine after almost two decades in the high-profile post. He will be replaced by Jay Fielden, editor of Town & Country, another title owned by Hearst Corp.

“David has had an amazing 19-year run,” said David Carey, president of Hearst Magazines, in an interview. “Jay will be editor-in-chief of Esquire and editorial director of Town & Country. We continue to give our key executives more and more responsibilities.”

Mr. Granger, 59 years old, is leaving his post March 31. A new editor-in-chief of Town & Country will be named shortly.

Mr. Granger was named editor of Esquire in May 1997. As head of the glossy men’s magazine that focuses on a blend of fashion, sports cars and cool gear for men, Mr. Granger helped the publication win numerous awards. The trade publication Adweek named him editor of the year in March 2010, citing, among other factors, his “outspoken defense of print’s continuing relevancy and creativity.” Mr. Granger couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Town & Country magazine editor Jay Fielden is replacing Mr. Granger as editor of Esquire. Photo: Kevin Hagen for The Wall Street Journal Mr. Fielden, who is 46 years old, was named editor-in-chief of Town & Country in January 2011 after a career that include a stint as editor of Men’s Vogue prior to its closing. He also worked at the New Yorker magazine in different positions. Hearst Magazines said that Town & Country’s revenue has increased 46% since 2011, while its single-copy sales are up 12% and total circulation 6%. Mr. Fielden is taking over Esquire as sales of the print magazine are in decline. According to the Alliance for Audited Media, Esquire’s single-copy print sales fell 29% to 49,000 for the six months ended June 30, from 69,000 copies in the six-month period a year earlier. Total paid and verified subscriptions fell less than 1% to about 657,000 during the same period. “I now know what it’s like to stand on the shoulders of true giants, from Gingrich and Granger to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gay Talese,” said Mr. Fielden, in a statement. “Their literary sensibilities have shaped the legendary Esquire aura to be one of intellectual showmanship, hilarity, impeccable style, visual punch and extraordinary writing. I’ve deeply loved my time at Town & Country—looking into its past to reimagine its future—and I’m tremendously excited to approach Esquire with the same spirit of respect and ambition.” Write to Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg at jeffrey.trachtenberg@wsj.com

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