Classified Ventures, L.L.C., Names David G. Israel New President and CEO; Macmillan Computer Publishing USA Chief to Lead National Classified Advertising Network
Israel Succeeds Classified Ventures Creator and Founder Tim Landon;
Takes Charge of Fast-Growing National Online ServicesChicago, August 10, 1998 - Classified Ventures, L.L.C., today announced the appointment of David G. Israel, president of Macmillan Computer Publishing USA, as its new president and chief executive officer. Israel succeeds Tim Landon, Classified Ventures creator and founder, as head of the nationās first truly national online network of nationally branded and local-affiliate web sites for auto, real estate and apartment classified advertising listings, resources and services.
"David Israel brings to Classified Ventures considerable experience in technology publishing and in managing complex business operations, said Landon. With his vision, leadership and understanding of technology and Internet marketing, Classified Ventures will move even more quickly and confidently toward its goal of being the leader in providing services to online classified advertisers, consumers and marketers.
Landon noted Macmillan Computer Publishing (MCP) is the worldās largest computer book publisher, with nearly 600 titles published annually on all major computer and communications topics. It led the book publishing industry into CD-ROM technology, and MCPās web site, The Authoritative Encyclopedia of Computing (www.mcp.com) is among the top publishing industry sites on the World Wide Web.
In less than a year, Classified Ventures under Tim Landonās leadership has demonstrated the soundness of its business model and the effectiveness of its strategies, said Israel. Classified Ventures has successfully created a network of more than 140 affiliated web sites to support its national URL brands - Apartments.com, cars.com, and NewHomeNetwork.com - and brought together the resources, relationships and reputations of the nationās leading media companies.
"I am proud to be chosen to lead this exciting, fast-growing organization, Israel added. I look forward to further developing sales, marketing, content and operational initiatives to establish Classified Ventures among the world's foremost digital media companies, and to help it realize the full potential of the emerging e-commerce marketplace. Classified Ventures is uniquely positioned to provide consumers the widest selection and best decision- support tools for important purchases, while offering advertisers leading Internet marketing solutions."
Israel had served as president of Macmillan Computer Publishing USA (MCP), the computer publishing division of Macmillan Publishing USA, since January 1996. As president, he managed all MCP imprints and publishing groups and their sales, marketing, and business development initiatives. MCP's imprints include Que, Que Education & Training, Sams Publishing, New Riders, Macmillan Technical Publishing, Adobe Press, Borland Press, Cisco Press, and Lycos Press.
During his tenure at MCP, Israel was instrumental in growing profits and sales, forging alliances with key Internet companies, creating, acquiring and integrating successful new imprints and launching mcp.com. In 1989, Israel joined Que Corporation as vice president, operations. He led Que's integration with Sams Publishing to form Macmillan Computer Publishing and later guided Que Software to a leadership position in personal productivity software and utilities. Prior to joining Que and MCP, Israel spent nine years at R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company.
Landon, who is vice president of strategy, research and development for Tribune Publishing, will remain at Classified Ventures for a transition period. In July 1997, Landon brought together the Tribune Company, The Times Mirror Company and The Washington Post Company to found Classified Ventures, L.L.C. As acting chief executive officer, Landon charted the business development initiatives, network expansion, online distribution agreements, and the technology and operations plans for Classified Ventures and its subsidiaries Apartments.com, cars.com and NewHomeNetwork.com.
Recently, Landon orchestrated the additions of Gannett, Co., Inc., Knight Ridder, The New York Times Company, The McClatchy Company and Central Newspapers, Inc. to Classified Ventures' list of investors. In addition, Landon secured online distribution agreements with America Online, Excite, and USA Today for Classified Ventures' subsidiaries.
Classified Ventures, L.L.C., based in Chicago, is a company funded by eight leading media companies -- Central Newspapers, Inc., Gannett Co., Inc., Knight Ridder, The McClatchy Company, The New York Times Company, The Times Mirror Company, Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company. Classified Ventures provides nationally branded online services for the emerging e-commerce opportunities in the classified advertising marketplace that build upon the capabilities and local expertise of a national affiliate network. The Company currently operates the national Apartments.com web site (www.Apartments.com ), the national cars.com web site (www.cars.com ) and the national NewHomeNetwork.com web site (www.newhomenetwork.com ). For more information on Classified Ventures visit www.classifiedventures.com.