LGBT media and
entertainment company PlanetOut Inc. announced Thursday
that it had named Karen Magee its new CEO after current
chief executive Lowell Selvin decided to step down for
medical reasons. Magee is currently the senior vice
president of strategic planning for Time Warner, where
she's worked in different management roles since 1996, and
has served on PlanetOut's board of directors since 2003.
"We are extremely excited about the leadership
capabilities and talent Karen Magee brings to the
company as our new chief executive officer," said Bill
Jesse, the new chairman of PlanetOut's board of
directors, in a statement. Jesse replaces Selvin, who is
also stepping down from his post as chairman but will
remain on the board as chairman emeritus.
"Karen has extensive experience in the media and
entertainment industry, including proven consumer
marketing skills," Jesse added. "As a director of
PlanetOut, she has developed a strong understanding of
our business and the strategic vision required to maximize
PlanetOut's leadership position serving the LGBT
community and drive its next phase of growth and development."
Magee began her career at Time Warner in 1996 as
general manager and vice president of consumer
marketing for Time magazine. She then served as
vice president for Time Inc. starting in 2001, before
ascending to her current position.
"PlanetOut's powerful brands create a truly
exciting multiplatform opportunity to engage all
members of the LGBT community," Magee said in the
statement. "I'm looking forward to working with the talented
team at PlanetOut to enrich and broaden the products and
services that we offer to consumers and advertisers."
She added that one of her first areas of focus
"will be the completion of an acquisition integration
plan that Lowell...and other key members of the
PlanetOut team have been developing. The move is designed
to execute on our commitment to integrate LPI and RSVP
prudently and take advantage of operational efficiencies."
In the last year PlanetOut has acquired both the
LPI family of publications, including The
Advocate and Out, and RSVP Vacations. There was
no word on the medical reasons for which Selvin, who
has been with the company for seven years, is
stepping down. (The Advocate)
