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The New York Times Company Names Cella M. Irvine Chief Executive Officer of the About Group

Posted on: Wednesday, 11 June 2008, 12:00 CDT

The New York Times Company announced today that Cella M. Irvine has been named chief executive officer of the About Group effective July 28. Ms. Irvine will report to Martin Nisenholtz, senior vice president, digital operations, The New York Times Company. The About Group includes the Web sites of About.com, ConsumerSearch.com, UCompareHealthCare.com and Calorie-Count.com.

In making the announcement, Mr. Nisenholtz said, "Cella's track record of operational excellence and focus on execution, combined with her exceptional leadership skills, make her the perfect person to lead About to its next phase of growth."

"I am particularly delighted to be joining the About team," said Ms. Irvine. "The About Group is well positioned for this exciting time in digital media, with a deep understanding of how consumers want to receive information and how advertisers can best reach them."

From 2005 to 2007 Ms. Irvine was the chief administrative officer of Digitas Inc., one of the world's leading digital marketing and media companies. There she was responsible for operational, administrative and governance functions, including finance, information technology, mergers and acquisitions, human resources, legal, communications and diversity. From 2001 to 2005 she was global head of strategic planning and then chief operations officer for a business unit of Marsh, Inc.

Ms. Irvine was general manager, New York Sidewalk for Microsoft Corporation from 1996 to 2000, where she built, launched and scaled the business that became the 25th most heavily trafficked Internet site. From 1993 to 1996 she was vice president, general manager of Hearst New Media & Technology, responsible for general management of all aspects of Hearst New Media Publishing, a CD-Rom publisher, and for development of digital ventures that leveraged Hearst properties, including newspapers, magazines and books. Previously she held various roles with increasing responsibility at Prodigy from 1989 to 1993. Earlier in her career she worked for Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Activision and American Express.

Ms. Irvine received a B.A. degree in history from Cornell University and an M.B.A. degree in general management from Harvard University.

Founded in 1996, About.com is one of the Web's leading producers of original content. The site's expert Guides provide users with accurate and unbiased information to help them live happier, healthier and more successful lives. About.com is one of the 15 most visited Web sites in the US.

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2007 revenues of $3.2 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

Source: Business Wire

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