VIBE Media Group Announces Key Executive Appointments

- Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith Appointed to Vice President, Editorial Director
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NEW YORK, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Steve Aaron, CEO of VIBE Media Group,
announced today that Danyel Smith has been appointed to vice president and
editorial director, Vibe Media Group, in addition to her role as editor-in-
chief of VIBE. Edgar Hernandez joined the VIBE team in September 2007 as
associate publisher and Gary R. Lewis has been promoted to chief marketing
officer.
"Thanks to the talents of people like Danyel, who helped build this brand
from the ground up, VIBE Magazine has emerged as the gold standard for urban
media," says Aaron. "Now in our 15th anniversary year, we celebrate her
dynamic leadership and vision that will help VIBE break new ground and
maintain our top position in this ever-changing market."
Smith originally joined VIBE in 1994 as music editor. By 1996, she was
promoted to editor-in-chief, a position she held for two years before leaving
to be editor-at-large for Time Inc. After writing two novels, Smith returned
to VIBE in 2006, again as editor-in-chief. In September 2007, senator Barack
Obama became the first political leader to appear on a VIBE cover, one of many
editorial "firsts" under her leadership.
"With the addition of Edgar and our recent key promotions, especially
Gary, I believe we are surely fortifying a strong team that will be integral
to the continued growth of our business," added Aaron. "We are fortunate to
have such talented individuals as part of the VIBE family and I am confident
in their ability to continue building our brand."
As Associate Publisher, Edgar Hernandez is driving new revenue
opportunities for the VIBE Media Group through in-book, online, and event
integration. Prior to joining VIBE, he served as advertising director at
Stuff and was previously account director at Complex.
Gary R. Lewis previously served as associate publisher since November
2006. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing all marketing and
on-line/off-line promotions for more than 100 advertising clients. Now as
chief marketing officer, he is responsible for leading the brand's worldwide
marketing and communications strategy and execution.
Lewis' history with VIBE dates back to 1996 when he served as vice
president of marketing. He is a pioneer in evolving the industry's
participation in the urban market. Prior to re-joining VIBE, Lewis was
director of corporate sponsorships at Time Inc.'s, Essence Communications.
Other recent staff promotions, include (in alphabetical order):

Chauncie Burton to Marketing Director
Kevin S. Ford to Research Chief
Janelle Grimmond to Associate Market Editor
Sarah Hambrick to Interactive Art Director
Cher Harrison to Entertainment Account Manager
Shanel Odum to Associate Editor
Aileen Payumo to Marketing Associate
Williams Perkins to Sportswear & Footwear Manager
Anthony Ragusa to Designer, Creative Services
Heston Roberts to Web Producer
Audrea Soongg to Account Executive, Interactive Media
Michelle Tennant Timmons to Office Manager

ABOUT VIBE:
VIBE Media Group, an affiliate of The Wicks Group of Companies, L.L.C., is
a leading music/lifestyle media company that publishes the award-winning VIBE
magazine, the preeminent brand in urban and music culture, which was founded
by Quincy Jones in 1993. Additional VIBE Media Group properties include
Vibe.com; Comcast's VIBE video-on-demand channel; The VIBE Awards; the
wireless content service mVibe; and VIBE Books, which published The New York
Times bestseller, Tupac Shakur.
SOURCE VIBE Media Group

Gena Gatewood, Communications Manager, Project 2050, +1-917-689-3884,
ggatewood@p2050.com, for VIBE Media Group