Classified Ventures Names New President and CEO

Newspaper consortium Classified Ventures named David G. Israel, president of Macmillan Computer Publishing USA, as its new president and CEO.

Israel succeeds Tim Landon, Classified Ventures’ creator and founder, as head of the national online network of newspaper 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.”

Israel said: “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 nation’s leading media companies. … .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.”

Israel had served as president of Macmillan Computer Publishing USA, the computer publishing division of Macmillan Publishing USA, since January 1996. In 1989, Israel joined Que Corp. as vice president, operations. He led Que’s integration with Sams Publishing to form Macmillan Computer Publishing and later guided Que Software, a provider of personal productivity software and utilities. Prior to joining Que and MCP, Israel spent nine years at R.R. Donnelley & Sons.

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 Co., The Times Mirror Co. and The Washington Post Co. to found Classified Ventures. Other backers now include Gannett, Knight Ridder, The New York Times Co., The McClatchy Co. and Central Newspapers Inc.