AOL names Susan Lyne as CEO of its brand group
Vice chairman of Gilt and AOL board member Susan Lyne has been announced as the CEO of AOL’s portfolio of brands that serves in excess of 100 million consumers worldwide.
As CEO Lyne will now oversee all aspects of the Brand Group’s growth strategy, including increasing traffic across all properties, maximising partnerships with advertisers and publishers, and attracting talent, with a particular focus on content, design, programming, and product.
Lyne will remain as vice chairman of Gilt having recently transitioned to that role from the position of chairman. Lyne brings with her a decade of experience in the television industry, including serving as president of ABC Entertainment, where she oversaw the development of shows such as Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy. Lyne has also held the role of president and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
Of her appointment, chairman and CEO of AOL, Tim Armstrong said: “In her roles as CEO then chairman of Gilt, and previously as president and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Susan has a proven track record of brand building and aggressive growth. I know she’ll bring that same drive and growth-oriented mentality to our Brand Group. AOL ended 2012 growing revenue for the first time in eight years, and we expect Susan to help build on this momentum and take our brands to the next level.”
Lyne added: “In my three years as an AOL board member, I have partnered with Tim Armstrong and my fellow directors to help drive the company’s transformation, and have seen AOL make great strides as it continues to innovate, grow and evolve.
"I’m looking forward to contributing to the company’s continued evolution in my new role, and will focus on creating additional value with all of AOL’s premium brands. Our efforts center on making all of our brands true destinations for audiences worldwide, and to provide marketers with innovative opportunities to connect with these audiences.”