AKRON, Ohio – Babcox Media Inc., publisher of aftermarketNews.com, is pleased to announce the promotion of two longtime sales executives.

Regional Sales Manager Jim Merle has been promoted to publisher of Babcox Media's Tech Group, which includes Underhood Service, ImportCar and Brake & Front End magazines and websites, as well as AutoCareProNews.com. Merle joined Babcox in 1993. During his tenure, he has covered a variety of territories across the country, including the Southeast and the Midwest.

Sean Donohue, also currently a regional sales manager at Babcox, has been promoted to associate publisher of TechShop magazine and TechShopMag.com. He joined Babcox in 2008 from the Akron Beacon Journal. Donohue spent six years as an account executive at the Beacon, most recently in Automotive.

Merle and Donohue will oversee the day-to-day activities of their respective brands and will report to Jeff Stankard, vice president of Babcox Media. Both appointments are effective Jan. 17, 2012.

Jim Merle can be reached at 330-670-1234 x280 or via email at jmerle@babcox.com.

Sean Donohue can be reached at 330-670-1234 x206 or via email at sdonohue@babcox.com.