Nat. Geo. Creates Global Integrated Sales Group

Jason Fell – Foliomag.com

01/13/2009

National Geographic today announced the formation of the Global Media Integrated Sales and Sponsorship group. Headed by magazines vice president and group publisher Stephen Giannetti, the group is tasked with developing integrated advertising sponsorship programs in three business categories: travel, entertainment and brand extensions.

According to executive vice president and publishing president John Q. Griffin, the goal of the new group is to “create effective multi-platform marketing programs for our clients while also promoting the Society’s mission of inspiring people to care about the planet.”

Heading the travel segment is Dawn Drew, who will move from her current position of vice president of National Geographic Traveler magazine. Shannon Hebert will lead the entertainment category and Claudia Malley will add to her current role as publisher of the U.S. edition of National Geographic the responsibility for developing integrated programs for companies outside the travel category.

No layoffs were associated with the reorganization, a spokesperson told FOLIO:.

In December, National Geographic shuttered the print edition of its Green Guide—which the National Geographic Society acquired in 2007 and relaunched as a general consumer quarterly—but kept its Web site.