ACBJ hires four new managers

Charlotte-based American City Business Journals, which operates 40 business newspapers across the country, announced four new hires  to help grow its print and digital publishing business.

Lori Michaels was hired in the newly created position of chief technology officer. Jenn McGuigan joins in the newly created position of chief marketing officer. Ashley Ganci was hired as vice president, human resources, and Michelle Vargo was hired as vice president, product development of The Business Journals, a division of ACBJ.

“With these new hires and their deep expertise in their respective fields, we are demonstrating our commitment to the continued growth of our company,” says Whitney Shaw, president and CEO of ACBJ, in a statement. “We are looking forward to their contributions that will drive revenue, new products and organizational change.”

Michaels joins ACBJ from Scripps Networks Interactive in Knoxville, Tenn., where she was vice president, digital engineering. One of Michaels’ most significant projects with Scripps was the launch of a newhgtv.com and accompanying sites. Prior to Scripps, Michaels held a variety of positions with The Economist Group, including that of chief digital officer and executive vice president, digital solutions. Earlier in her career, she worked for Time Inc., Christie’s and Viacom.

McGuigan most recently ran her own marketing consultancy in New York, specializing in demand generation for clients such as The Economist, CQ Roll Calland Kittyo. Prior to that she was Executive Marketing Director, Demand Generation, for The Economist Intelligence Unit. Jenn also held senior-level marketing positions with National Geographic Channel and Hallmark Channel.

Ganci worked as an employment attorney for New York City-based Sabin, Bermant & Gould LLP, where she counseled the firm’s media clients (including ACBJ) on a wide array of employment issues.

Vargo also joins from Scripps Networks Interactive, where she led the Home category digital product team. She is a veteran of AOL where she led the launch of products like the Instant AOL Touchpad, the AOL service in China, AOL’s payment platform and broadband analytics modules. As a digital consultant, Vargo was the practice lead for developing products working with brands like Food Network, HGTV, Coke, Federated Media, and American Express.