NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Oct 1, 2013) - TechMedia Network, Inc., one of the world's largest and most respected tech and science media companies, today announced the appointment of Fritz Nelson as Editor-in-Chief overseeing Tom's Hardware U.S. & Tom's IT Pro U.S. The company also announced it has appointed Mark Spoonauer as Editor-in-Chief of Tom's Guide U.S. These moves underscore the value of the "Tom's" brands to TechMedia Network's portfolio of publications as the company continues to invest in its growth.
Nelson joins TechMedia Network with over two decades of editorial leadership in business technology media. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Editorial Director of the InformationWeek Business Technology Network at UBM Tech, managing 12 media properties -- including InformationWeek and Dark Reading -- as well as their associated websites, research reports, and digital and print magazines. In addition to overseeing editorial operations, Nelson drove the development of UBM Tech's live and virtual event-based business with the acquisitions of Black Hat and Interop. Prior to joining UBM Tech, Nelson worked with Lockheed Martin's Computing Standards group, a team that tested and evaluated technology to set corporate computing and networking standards, providing him with invaluable experience in the business technology field.
"Tom's Hardware and Tom's IT Pro are the go-to online resources for technology enthusiasts, experts, and IT decision makers looking to solve personal or workplace technology-related issues," said Rob Britt, Chief Content Officer, TechMedia Network. "Fritz's impressive editorial knowledge, passion for technology, and hands-on IT experience will allow us to better serve these audiences by simplifying their purchase-making decisions moving forward."
As Editor-in-Chief overseeing Tom's Hardware and Tom's IT Pro, Nelson will continue to build on the sites' top-tier technology coverage and will also create and lead efforts to broaden the properties' audiences. Chris Angelini, former Worldwide Editor-in-Chief of Tom's Hardware, will assume the role of Editorial Director, Tom's Hardware, managing day-to-day editorial operations.
"As technology products and services continue to proliferate, the need for comprehensive yet practical information is at an all-time high," said Nelson. "I'm excited to join two brands that make in-depth product analysis and news accessible for both the IT expert and the everyday tech enthusiast."
As current Editor-in-Chief of LAPTOP -- a post which he will hold concurrently with Tom's Guide U.S. -- Mark Spoonauer is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on mobile and wireless technology, leading successful editorial teams across TechMedia Network's growing roster of technology-focused web properties.
"Mark has shown exceptional leadership in guiding LAPTOP's editorial team, growing the brand into an expert voice on all things mobile, while doubling the site's traffic over the past year alone," Britt said. "From his unrivaled journalistic abilities and depth of knowledge of the tech landscape, Mark is an integral part of our company and will help drive its continued growth as Editor-in-Chief of Tom's Guide U.S."
In this role, Spoonauer is charged with capitalizing on Tom's Guide's international success by propelling its growth domestically. Through development of the site's scope and focus, Tom's Guide and its community of category experts will become the ultimate source for the latest technology analysis, tips, and tools, simplifying tech consumers' acquisition and ownership of personal hardware and software.
"Tom's Guide U.S. has provided us with a solid foundation to create a premier destination for curious tech consumers who want to make an informed purchase decision," Spoonauer said. "I look forward to working with our talented team of editors and contributors to strengthen and build upon Tom's Guide's pragmatic approach to tech coverage and bolster the brand's overall presence in the U.S."
Already, the site's U.S. traffic has nearly doubled since Spoonauer officially came on board in June.
The appointments of Nelson and Spoonauer follow TechMedia Network's acquisition of Bestofmedia Group, former parent company to Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide and Tom's IT Pro. The combined company is now the second largest technology publisher in the U.S.1, delivering unprecedented value to both consumers and advertisers through a first-of-its-kind integration of Content, Community and Commerce in the tech and science verticals.
"One of the reasons we chose to partner with Bestofmedia Group was the strength and quality of their technology content and expert user communities," said Greg Mason, CEO, TechMedia Network. "By adding Fritz and Mark and their proven editorial and technology expertise to the Tom's team, we will enhance the overall site experience for both readers and advertisers and expand our editorial and community focus to engage new users, moving TechMedia Network closer to our goal of becoming the number one tech and science publisher on the web."
1 Source: comScore U.S. Media Metrix, August 2013
About TechMedia Network
TechMedia Network is one of the largest, most respected technology and science media companies in the world, with a global audience of more than 72 million engaged tech and science enthusiasts visiting our brands each month.
Through our award-winning portfolio of premium, original tech and science content, featuring category leaders like Tom's Hardware, LAPTOP, Tom's Guide, LiveScience and SPACE.com, our active and loyal user communities, and our proprietary e-commerce platform as featured on TopTenREVIEWS, we provide tailored media experiences and personalized purchase recommendations to technology consumers across the globe.
This unique combination of Content, Community and Commerce enables TechMedia Network to deliver advanced, customizable advertising solutions in highly specialized environments, making it possible for advertisers to individually engage tech consumers with relevant content, at scale.
For more information visit: www.techmedianetwork.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.