Katie Brennan, Online Publishing Executive, Joins ECNext as VP of Ad Sales

Marketing innovator to drive revenue growth, profitability and client acquisition for world’s largest company intelligence site.

COLUMBUS, OH – March 31, 2008 – ECNext, the online media company that operates Manta.com, the world’s largest free company intelligence site, has announced that Katie Brennan has joined the company as vice president of advertising sales.

Brennan brings more than 25 years’ experience in advertising sales management, product development and online publishing experience to the Columbus-based company. In her leadership role at ECNext, she will be responsible for driving recurring advertising revenue, increasing client growth and retention, optimizing campaign profitability and managing the advertising sales team.

"We were anxious to bring Katie on board because of her experience as an online publisher running the business side of the operation, monetizing online assets, as well her track record in driving top-line revenue growth and profitability through maximizing the value of the inventory being produced on her sites via new client acquisition, innovative relationships and market expansion," said Pamela Springer, president and CEO of ECNext.

"With over 5 million unique visitors and 19 million page views per month, Manta is fast becoming the authority for finding free company profiles" said Brennan. "Advertisers want to be on sites that have engaged users.  Manta users are the highly desired demographic that B2B advertisers are looking for – business decision makers, high education and income and have a heavy mix of small business owners," Brennan added. "It’s a great time for Manta. All channels are growing; the mix is changing, the proprietary targeting platform continually improves CPMs, and newer channels are coming on strong."

Prior to joining ECNext, Brennan was VP and publisher at Media Brains. Brennan also served as a group vice president for Cygnus Business Media, where she managed financial growth of 25 trade publications in diverse vertical markets.

Brennan spent 23 years with Miller Freeman (a division of United Business Media, now CMP Media). While at Miller Freeman as vice president of Enterprise Media Group, she to provided strategic direction, new product development and profit and loss management for the $23-million product group. She directed all marketing and publishing activities for Unix Review’s Performance Computing, Windows NT Systems, Sys Admin, Imaging and Document Solutions, Software Development and Rational Rose Architect Magazines, high tech card decks and corresponding websites.

A graduate of  the University of Delaware, Brennan has completed the Marketing Program at the University of London; the Executive Publishing Program at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and the Executive Management Studies Program at Cornell University.

Manta.com, ECNext’s premium business information portal, is the authority for finding 45 million free small to large company profiles worldwide—and their related industries and products. Empowered with CRM tools, business users dive deep for fresh company knowledge. Manta.com is the prevailing destination to connect with community and collaborate, manage and share company intelligence. By leveling the playing field, Manta prepares users to compete smarter, accelerate sales prospecting and partnering and identify revenue opportunities faster.

About ECNext
ECNext is a Columbus, Ohio-based online media company that operates more than 50 premier business websites for business publishers. These websites serve end users such as business decision makers, entrepreneurs and business professionals seeking information and resources to help them make well-informed business decisions. Through these sites, ECNext offers millions of articles, reports, graphs, chapters, executive profiles and business resources. In making this premium content available via the open Web, it can be accessed on demand through pay-per view purchase, subscription license, or free registration.

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For more information, please contact:
Paula Volio
eMarketing Manager
614.682.5106

Or visit:
http://www.ecnext.com