Digital Publishing And Software Services Platform, Product And Service Provider LAKANA Announces Executive Team

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- LAKANA (www.LAKANA.com), a digital-publishing software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider whose platforms reach nearly 130 million monthly unique users, today announced its executive team including promotions and new hires.

The organizational changes reflect LAKANA's strategy to attract proven technology leaders to oversee its growing business while strengthening its commitment to offering customers innovative technology and fully scalable multi-platform digital solutions that deliver enhanced content creation, management and monetization capabilities.

Todd Carter has been appointed LAKANA's Head of Operations, responsible for overseeing the critical functions of client relations, customer support and professional services as well as ensuring operational excellence across the company. Carter formerly led product and technology for Internet Broadcasting (IB). Before joining IB he led global technology architecture at Best Buy, overseeing the development and operations of all technology supporting international expansion into Mexico, China, UK and Turkey as well as a new e-commerce platform for Canada and the UK.  Before joining Best Buy, Carter held technology and operations leadership roles in banking for Norwest and Wells Fargo.

Charles Im has been appointed LAKANA's Head of Technology, responsible for managing the company's technology infrastructure with a focus on serving customers' needs and developing new products.  In his new role, Im will lead teams that deliver innovation by implementing software product strategies and refining technology infrastructure / methodologies aimed at simplifying IT complexity.  He previously served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), where he co-founded and built the EndPlay content management platform which is now an offering of LAKANA.  Im's previous positions include extensive experience in media, gaming, commerce and video including CTO roles at Nexad Systems; Koinos, a fantasy-sports platform for a half-billion users which he also co-founded; and Shopflick.com, an e-commerce video platform. Im spent the early part of his career in the fast-paced world of news systems; as chief software architect for Marketwire, he developed a ground-breaking distribution platform for news releases.

Reed Varner joins the new leadership team as Vice President, Agency Services, delivering innovative, measurable and high-yield multi-platform marketing solutions that drive ROI for clients. A 16-year veteran of IB, Varner will continue to lead and grow LAKANA's agency business, diversifying offerings and elevating the level of service and customization.  With an impressive list of over 130 clients, LAKANA's agency serves over 30,000 campaigns annually in addition to offering creative, video and design services to media companies and brands.

Lisa Bishop joins LAKANA as vice president of product strategy.  She and her team will be responsible for driving new products and monetization solutions to LAKANA's 300-plus television-station, newspaper, magazine and brands clients.  A veteran of local broadcast media, she will also help maintain the organization's focus on innovations for local broadcast markets.  She brings more than 15 years of broadcast TV and digital-media experience. As Vice President of Digital Media at Gray, she conceived and executed the formulation of Gray Digital Media and oversaw all digital initiatives including web, mobile, online operations, business development, and revenue and monetization strategies.  

"Our leadership team today comprises creative and diverse professionals with a shared commitment to establish LAKANA as an industry-leading provider of cutting-edge digital publishing and content management solutions," said Phillip Hyun, LAKANA's president.  "We are delighted to have Todd, Charles, Reed and Lisa on our executive team at this exciting time in LAKANA's evolution and look forward to their contributions as we continue to pursue new initiatives in product innovation and client services, which are important factors in achieving our goals for near- and long-term growth."

For more information on LAKANA's new leadership team please visit:
http://www.lakana.com/about.html#panel-leadership

About LAKANA

LAKANA (www.LAKANA.com) is an enterprise-class technology business that provides solutions for media publishers.  LAKANA delivers a business-ready SaaS content management platform which seamlessly integrates with a comprehensive suite of products, partners and services that together enable media publishers to successfully operate profitable, secure, innovative and engaging businesses.  The business is headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with additional offices and development centers in Los Angeles, Shanghai and Taipei.

SOURCE LAKANA

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http://www.LAKANA.com