Los Angeles Times News Release

News Release


Contact: Nancy Sullivan


Los Angeles Times Media Group Announces Leadership Changes

Flagship Los Angeles Times Announces Russ Stanton Editor
LATMG Realigns Newspaper and Interactive Ops
Unveils ‘Targeted Media’ Division


LOS ANGELES, February 14, 2008 — The Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG) today unveiled significant changes to its organization and leadership team, including the announcement that Russ Stanton has been named Los Angeles Times Editor (www.latimes.com.)

“This is a critical period for The Times – in fact for all news media – as we change and grow, and show we can sustain the future of one of the truly great news franchises in America. Now we have completed our ownership transition with Sam Zell, we have a new leadership lineup to take The Times forward, and it’s time to make things happen,” said, Los Angeles Times Publisher David D. Hiller. “Russ Stanton combines great personal leadership, communication skills, the highest journalistic standards and a commitment to excellence, and has been championing much of our work to become a truly multimedia news organization that’s a relevant and engaging part of the 24-hour-a- day world of news and information.”

Named The Times Innovation Editor in February 2007, Stanton previously served as Business Editor and joined the paper in 1997 as a reporter in the Orange County edition. He has also been Orange County Business Editor, Technology Editor and Deputy Business Editor. Named a Fellow of the Herbert J. Davenport Economics Program at the University of Missouri, he also earned his B.A. at California State University.

”I am very honored and very humbled to be named editor of this terrific newsroom, and I am looking forward to working with my dedicated colleagues to continue producing a first-rate newspaper and website,” said Stanton.

Jack Klunder has been named to the newly created position of President, Los Angeles Times Newspaper and will be responsible for leading The Times core print business. Klunder’s oversight will include circulation and operations and he will be responsible for working across company departments, including editorial, advertising and marketing.

Bob Bellack becomes President, Digital Media, Classified and Development and, Rob Barrett, becomes Senior Vice President, Interactive, to lead all initiatives to ensure aggressive growth of LATMG’s multimedia and online operations. Bellack is charged with overseeing development efforts, including acquisitions, partnerships and new mobile and digital growth arenas. In addition, Bellack will head up Classified advertising, with a focus on Web-based recruitment, real estate, and automotive categories. Barrett will also continue in his role as General Manager, latimes.com, reporting to Bellack.

John O’Loughlin becomes President, Targeted Media, responsible for leading the growing family of products and services targeted at specific audience segments, including Hoy, Times Community Newspapers, Tribune Direct Marketing (Los Angeles) and Metromix (http://losangeles.metromix.com/). O’Loughlin will also continue to head LATMG’s overall marketing, strategy, planning and research.

In addition, Chris Avetisian, currently Director, Financial Planning and Analysis, succeeds Bob Bellack as Chief Financial Officer and will work closely with O’Loughlin to closely align budgetary and planning development. Gwen Murakami assumes the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Administration with oversight of HR, employee communications, public affairs and legal. Russ Newton, Kim McCleary La France, Julie Xanders, Bob Palermini and Javier Aldape will continue in their current leadership roles.

Dave Murphy will be transitioning out of his role as General Manager and Executive Vice President and advertising sales will report to Jack Klunder until a new head of sales is named.

SOURCE: TimesLink