Bauer Xcel Media Announces Appointment Of Allison Mezzafonte As SVP Operations

NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bauer Media Group's international digital business - Bauer Xcel Media - today announced the appointment of Allison Mezzafonte as Bauer Xcel Media U.S.'s Senior Vice President of Operations. In this newly created position, Mezzafonte will bring both digital operational expertise and premium content knowledge to the US-based independent digital arm of Bauer Media. Mezzafonte joins a world-class leadership team with a unique culture - embracing innovative business models rather than following industry norms.

Mezzafonte is a veteran leader of both digital and premium content operations. She joins Bauer Xcel Media from About.com, where she served as General Manager, having previously held the position of General Manager for Hearst Digital Media. Prior, Mezzafonte held both editorial and leadership roles at a number of premium content brands including ElleDecor.com, AOL and Country Living.

Christian Baesler, President of Bauer Xcel Media U.S. operations said, "We're thrilled to have Allison join our team, where she'll be leading product, marketing and editorial departments. Bauer Xcel Media is unique in that it combines the premium editorial magazine brands from our parent company, but acts totally independently in creating additional content and developing new business models. Allison has the personality and the experience to maintain our premium content roots as we move at light speed to stay one step ahead of our multichannel consumers."

Bauer Xcel Media enjoys extremely wide reach across both women and teens and has an innovative approach to digital media, having invested heavily in new channels including social media, mobile and programmatic advertising. Mezzafonte will manage operations for all of Bauer Xcel Media channels, whose brands include Life & Style, Woman's World, J-14 and InTouch as well as premium digital brands such as RecipesPlus. Mezzafonte will be responsible for the growth of current digital products as well as creating and managing new ones.

Mezzafonte said: "To build a digital division within a magazine publisher requires an adaptive nature and a willingness to take a user-first approach, making thoughtful decisions that are supported equally by a combination of data and editorial judgment. Bauer Xcel Media does just this. They operate nimbly, embracing new media channels while scaling established ones. The business functions like a startup, but has the stability and strength of an established organization. I'm excited to be joining such a successful and innovative team."

About Bauer Xcel Media   

Bauer Xcel Media is advancing the media industry by applying user driven strategies to deliver cutting edge news and build original, innovative products centered around audience needs. With 150 million monthly unique users and offices in New York, Hamburg, London, Sydney, Melbourne and Warsaw, Bauer Xcel Media is one of the world's fastest growing digital media companies.

About the Bauer Media Group  

The Bauer Media Group is one of the most successful media companies in the world. More than 600 magazines, over 400 digital products, and 100 radio and TV stations reach millions of people around the globe. The company's portfolio also includes printing companies, postal services and services in the fields of distribution, marketing and media sales. With a new global positioning strategy, the Bauer Media Group underscores its passion for people and brands. The claim "We think popular." highlights the Bauer Media Group's perception of itself as a publisher of popular media and provides inspiration and motivation to its more than 11,000 employees in 20 countries.

SOURCE Bauer Media Group