Deseret Digital Media Promotes Mike Petroff to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Deseret Digital Media (DDM), a network of Utah's top online media properties and a part of Deseret Media Companies, today announced the promotion of Mike Petroff to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In this position, Petroff will oversee all operational aspects of fulfilling the company's mission and will report to Clark Gilbert, who will continue to guide the vision and strategy for DDM as the president and CEO.

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"Not only has Mike led DDM to become one of the highest growth businesses in new media, he has shown a remarkable ability to innovate organizationally and within new product areas," said Clark Gilbert, President and CEO of Deseret Digital Media. "Mike is an effective leader and is deeply committed to our vision of becoming a world-leading, values-based digital content marketplace. He has shown a consistent ability to innovate and deliver extraordinary results."

Since its launch in 2010, DDM has experienced significant increases in traffic and engagement across all its properties, including DeseretNews.com and KSL.com, resulting in year over year revenue growth of more than 50 percent. Petroff has played a leadership role in piloting multiple new revenue-generating product lines including a rapidly growing deals solution and the KSL Local directory business.

"Mike is one of the most innovative, energetic and positive forces within Deseret Digital Media and within the media industry," said Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates, Inc. "His promotion reinforces my belief that Deseret Digital Media is the company to watch as it leads the way through a successful mediamorphosis."

"DDM continues to be forward-thinking by putting the measures in place to ensure it is providing the products customers really want from a media company," said Petroff. "Guided by Clark's vision and leadership, I'm eager to continue executing our mission and helping DDM play a forefront role in meeting consumer demand through a data-driven approach."

Previously, Petroff served as DDM's Vice President of New Media Sales and Ad Product Development, where he oversaw the company's new media direct sales and telesales teams as well as integrated online sales for KSL-TV and KSL Radio. A new media pioneer with more than a decade of executive management experience in web analytics and online marketing, Petroff brings a unique understanding of the online ecosystem. He previously held online marketing management positions at Omniture and Onestop Internet.

"The story of DDM's rapid online growth is well documented in the media industry," said Earl J. Wilkinson, Executive Director and CEO of International Newsmedia Marketing Association (INMA). "INMA has been impressed with the leadership Mike has provided for his company, and this new role makes complete sense."

In addition to Mike Petroff's promotion, DDM is promoting Todd Handy as Vice President of New Media Sales and Eric Bright as Vice President of E-Commerce. Todd Handy helped pioneer DDM's sales channels by targeting the growing number of medium sized businesses and brings a background in digital sales innovation from AOL. Eric Bright leads the development of DDM's overall e-commerce practice and was previously the president of Franklin Covey Online and online marketing executive at eBags.com. Handy and Bright join Russell Banz, current Vice President of Products, and Steve Tolman, current Vice President of Technology, on the DDM leadership team. 

"The vice presidents at DDM are all digital innovators and great leaders. I am honored to work with each of them," said Petroff.

For more information about Deseret Digital Media or its properties, please visit www.deseretdigital.com. To speak with Clark Gilbert or Mike Petroff concerning this announcement, please contact Ashley Murray at [email protected] or 801-939-9351.

About Deseret Digital Media

Deseret Digital Media is the parent company for some of the top online media properties in Utah and other trusted online voices serving more than 5 million unique visitors and nearly 300 million page views per month. Its network of web sites includes KSL.com, Deseretnews.com, DeseretBook.com, MormonTimes.com, LDSChurchNews.com, FM100.com and 1035TheArrow.com. Deseret Digital Media's two-part vision is to become the largest and most compelling regional commerce marketplace in the United States and to also become a world-leading, values-based digital content marketplace. Deseret Digital Media is a part of Deseret Media Companies.

SOURCE Deseret Digital Media