Babcox Media Inc. has announced the promotion of four executives. Effective immediately, Jim Merle, Dean Martin, Brandi Gangel and Sean Donohue are named Vice Presidents.
“With the evolution of today’s media business, we want to leverage the experience of these team members. These promotions will support the innovation of our products and services to accommodate the ever-changing needs of our readers and customers,” said Bill Babcox, CEO of Babcox Media.
Jim Merle joined the company in 1993 and has held a variety of sales and publishing roles. In his role as Vice President, Group Publisher, Merle will be responsible for the company’s Automotive Service division, including the brands: Brake & Front End, ImportCar, Underhood Service, TechShop, Shop Owner, Servicio Automotrizand Tomorrow’s Technician.
Dean Martin joined the company in 1997 and has also held a variety of sales and publishing roles. In his role as Vice President, Group Publisher, Martin will be responsible for the company’s Heavy-duty trucking, Engine, Tire and Transmission divisions. These divisions include the brands: Fleet Equipment, Fleet Service Technology, Tire Review, Engine Builderand Transmission Digest.
Brandi Gangel, who joined the company in 2014, has been promoted to vice president of audience data and marketing. Gangel manages the company’s audience intelligence assets and is responsible for audience data acquisition, integration and activation, marketing, research, and digital strategies and execution.
Sean Donohue, who joined the company in 2008 has been appointed vice president of sales. Over the past decade, Donohue has served as a sales representative and, most recently, as a group publisher for a variety of Babcox Media brands. In his new role, he will be focused on multi-media solutions and sales activation efforts.
“These appointments reflect the knowledge, effort and experience that these individuals apply to the needs of our organization every day,” said Greg Cira, president of Babcox Media. “They are respected, and proven leaders and we are grateful to have them work on a variety of company-wide strategic initiatives to continue to build our business.”
Due to these promotions, direct management of the brands aftermarketNews, Countermanand BodyShop Businesswill fall to Frank Bird, group publisher. Susan Givens will continue to serve as group publisher of the AutoSuccess, Motorcycle & Powersports Newsand Professional Carwashing & Detailingbrands.
