IAB's Rothenberg Named Time Inc. Chief Digital Officer

Randall Rothenberg is leaving the Interactive Advertising Bureau to join Time Inc. as chief digital officer. He leaves at a crucial time for the trade body, as it confronts critical challenges to its key goal of privacy self-regulation. The latest of those challenges is also the greatest, as the Federal Trade Commission makes a case for a browser-based do-not-track option for online data tracking.

Rothenberg will leave the IAB on January 17 to take charge of Time Inc.’s interactive brands, which include SI.com, Golf.com, Time.com, Life.com, and CNNMoney.com. He is tasked with growing that portfolio, finding new revenue streams, and identifying acquisitions. He’ll also establish a virtual “Center for Digital Innovation” within the company. He’ll report to CEO Jack Griffin.

The CDO position is a new one at Time Inc., and there are signs the company could benefit from a revitalized digital strategy. Back in July, the company handed over marketing, sales, and operations functions for SI.com and Golf.com to Turner Sports, following a period of lackluster performance.

Rothenberg’s four years at the IAB were marked by a significant expansion of the group’s activities and a doubling of its revenue. Membership increased 50 percent to 460 companies, and the organization fully embraced a policy mission, opening an office in Washington D.C. and establishing a Political Action Committee to donate cash to political campaigns.

Recently promoted executive Patrick Dolan, EVP and chief operating officer, will take the reins until a successor is named. He’ll be assisted by chief marketing officer David Doty.

Before taking over at the IAB, Rothenberg was chief marketing officer for Booz Allen Hamilton and an industry columnist.