• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, May 14, 2010

Tribune Company -- owner of The Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, among other publications -- on Thursday named Don Meek as EVP and chief revenue officer for its interactive and publishing divisions.

Effective immediately, Meek will be responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies for the media company's interactive and publishing divisions, including cross-media sales.

"I'm fired up to take on this broader role," said Meek. "I'm looking forward to working in partnership with our sales leaders."

Additionally, he will be expected to lead Tribune's sales management efforts, as well as implement key initiatives companywide that focus on improving the company's revenue management and marketing capabilities.

"He's the guy who sees the revenue before it sees us," Gerry Spector, chief operating office at Tribune, said of Meek.

Previously, Meek held the position of president of national media sales for Tribune's interactive and publishing divisions, as well as president of integrated media for The Los Angeles Times.

Earlier in his career, Meek help various sales and media posts at Sony Pictures Entertainment, iFilm Corp, Engine and Fox Sports Net.

Faced with a dire advertising marketplace, Tribune Co.'s various media properties have undergone dramatic shifts in recent years.

Late last summer, for example, The Los Angeles Times Media Group virtually turned its sales organization upside down -- first by naming then EVP and chief revenue officer Scott McKibben to the newly created position of EVP of strategic partnerships.

Meanwhile, EVP of targeted media and chief marketing officer John O'Loughlin was moved to EVP of advertising, where he assumed responsibility for all ad sales including display, classified, niche, and digital, as well as advertiser marketing for the group.

Just last month, meanwhile, Ed Wilson, chief revenue and sales officer of Tribune Co. since 2009, and president of Tribune Broadcasting since 2008, said he was stepping down from both positions, effective immediately.

Tribune Co. has also been exploring various new media initiatives to keep its edge amid changing consumer habits, and media trends.

Most recently, in March, the company announced a $6 million investment in Perfect Market -- a startup that helps publishers monetize their content throughout the so-called "long-tail."

Tribune Co. said it began using Perfect Market's services across various Web properties since last year.