By Dan Kennedy • The press, politics, technology, culture and other passions

Lisa DeSisto leaves Globe, heads north

Lisa DeSisto

Big news coming out of the Boston Globe today: Lisa DeSisto, chief advertising officer of Boston Globe Media and general manager of Boston.com, is leaving to become chief executive officer of MaineToday Media and publisher of the Portland Press Herald.

I worked with Lisa at the Phoenix back in the 1990s, and I think I can safely say that the Globe will miss her. Just recently, Lisa came up with the idea of launching an online radio station at Boston.com, RadioBDC, featuring several folks who had been laid off when the Phoenix sold WFNX Radio. WFNX continues online as well, and is formally relaunching on Oct. 31.

Here’s the announcement from Globe publisher Christopher Mayer:

I’d like to update everyone on a change in the leadership of the Globe. After 17 years, Lisa DeSisto will be leaving the Globe to become chief executive officer of MaineToday Media and the publisher of the Portland Press Herald. Lisa’s contributions to the Globe and Boston.com have been enormous, and she will be missed.

Fortunately, she has a strong team in place. Jason Kissell, Jane Bowman, and Tom Cole will report to me. Jason Kissell, vice president for advertising, will take on all advertising sales responsibilities, including digital advertising operations. Jane Bowman, executive director of advertising, will retain her business development responsibilities and add oversight of marketing and RadioBDC. Tom Cole, executive director of business development, will continue in the role of strategic planning and development for advertising.

Lisa will be with us for the next two weeks. During that time, she will help with the transition. Though we will miss her creativity, enthusiasm, and friendship, this is a great opportunity for her. Please join me in wishing her well in her new role.

And here is the MaineToday announcement.

Previous

The classics endure

Next

Talking about Wednesday night’s Senate debate

4 Comments

  1. Martin Callaghan

    Hmm.. This is interesting news. Love to know the back story here.

    • Dan Kennedy

      @Martin: Haven’t been in touch with Lisa lately, so I have no insight. But an opportunity to live in Maine full-time, running several newspapers for new local ownership, doesn’t strike me as a hard sell.

      • It’s as Dan says. I’m the media industry executive recruiter who led a broad national search for MTM’s new CEO on behalf of the company’s Board. This is a compelling new career platform for her, and a pivotal time for the newspaper brands as the company’s new ownership supports the reinvigoration of the media franchise (with digital focus). It’s a win/win!

  2. She’ll enjoy getting to know Paul LePage.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén