• by Melynda Fuller , January 8, 2019

Following the launch of the  Meredith Innovation Group at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, the company has tapped Catherine Levene as its Chief Strategy Officer.

Levene will work with senior leadership to set its strategic direction, while focusing on boosting the growth of Meredith’s digital lifestyle portfolio. She begins January 14 and will report to Meredith president and CEO Tom Harty.

Corbin deRubertis, Head of Innovation for Meredith, will oversee the new innovation group.

In a memo to staff, Harty lauded Levene’s experience working with boards and CEOs to “set strategy, implement business plans and direct M&A activities.”

Levene comes to Meredith from online contemporary art marketplace Artspace, where she was cofounder -CEO. She spent three years at the company positioning it for sale, and remaining for two more after it was acquired. 

Prior to her work with Artspace, Levene spent eight years working with New York Times Digital, where she eventually became vice president of product, business development and strategy. She was also COO of Daily Candy prior to and during its sale to Comcast. Levene currently is part of theSkimm’s advisory board. 

Moving into the new role, Levene stated: “Meredith has already built a digital business with great scale, and the organic revenue growth opportunities are very exciting.”

Separately, Gannett announced two executive promotions.

Chief Revenue Officer Kevin Gentzel has been named president of the USA Today Network Marking Solution. He replaces Sharon Rowlands and will begin his role January 26. 

Gentzel became the company’s first CRO when he joined the company over three years ago. In that time, he has overseen advertising and marketing solutions revenue in North America. At the time he joined Gannett, he brought with him 20 years of experience in boosting revenue across publishers like Yahoo, The Washington Post and Forbes Media.

Additionally, Gannett’s Chief Product Officer Kris Barton will now report to president-CEO Robert J. Dicky.