Times Hires Marc Ecko Executive as New Chief Information Officer

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By John Koblin

October 9, 2008 | 3:18 p.m

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via crostel.com

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The New York Times Company has hired "internet professional" Joseph Seibert, formerly an executive at Marc Ecko. Mr. Seibert will become the company's new chief information officer.

He's been its COO since 2006 so he presumably had a role in the Air Force One ad campaign that ad guru Andrew Essex described this way: "As a result of this, Mark Ecko no longer advertises in GQ and Details, my former publications. ... If advertisers can turn themselves into news and content, what is the role of a magazine?"

(And what does that mean for the future of the Times' content?)

Anyway, Mr. Seibert will replace David Thurm, who has been promoted to a new position called senior vice president, operations, which will oversee outside printing, New York production and building operations.

Roland Caputo, currently the CFO, will take over some of Mr. Thurm's responsibilites in the NYT Media Group systems department.

Here's the memo from general manager Scott Heekin-Canedy:

Dear Colleagues,

As a next step in the ongoing restructuring and streamlining of our business, I am pleased to announce two masthead level changes, effective November 1.

David Thurm will become senior vice president, operations, a new position that will oversee three departments: outside printing, New York production and building operations. David brings a wealth of expertise, experience and accomplishment to this new role. He has overseen outside printing since 2004, as we have added seven new print sites and optimized our contract printing requirements for the national edition and our magazines.

David oversaw the construction and completion of the College Point and Edison production facilities; was previously vice president, production from 1995 – 1999; and was a key contributor to our plant consolidation planning. In assuming building operations, David will have an ongoing responsibility for our office environment, which he helped to design and create. He will also have responsibilities for real estate transactions across the corporation and report to Michael Golden in that role. Nick D’Andrea, Todd Socia and Angelo Salvatore will report directly to David.

Through the remainder of October, David will be assisting our new corporate CIO, Joe Seibert, as he transitions into his role. Additionally, David will remain involved in the completion of the SAP project and take on responsibility for exploring New York Times Media Group opportunities to improve contributions to environmental sustainability.

As of November 1, David will hand off responsibility for our NYT Media Group systems department to Roland Caputo, and Roland will assume the title of senior vice president, chief financial officer. Roland has been CFO since January 2006. During that time, he has provided strong financial leadership, contributing to our exceptional expense performance that has been so critical in a period of revenue softness and volatility. Over the years, Roland has held various roles that have exposed him to key systems development and operations that equip him well for this new responsibility.

Before becoming CFO, he was vice president, circulation; president, City & Suburban; and director of the Edison plant.

Joe Flynn, Ayala Gamburd, Mark Gmunder, Teresa Power, Cindy Taibi and Caroline Wills will report to Roland.

Please join me in congratulating David and Roland.

Scott