MSNBC.com on Tuesday appointed Charlie Tillinghast publisher and general manager.
In his new position, Tillinghast, a longtime MSNBC.com executive, will provide both operational and strategic leadership.
“MSNBC.com is an outstanding example of online journalism success, making it the first and best place for news consumers to get the news that’s relevant to them,” Tillinghast said. “My role is to not only continue those achievements, but to improve upon it by combining quality journalism with the latest Internet technology.”
In addition to managing MSNBC.com’s daily business operations, Tillinghast will set and direct the company’s business priorities. Editor-in-Chief Dean Wright and Technology Director John DeVitis will report to Tillinghast.
Tillinghast joined the company in 1999 as business development manager, before becoming senior director of sales and business development. He was later named vice president of that department. Under his management, MSNBC.com advertising sales have grown 40 percent in the past year.
“Leadership is critical to the growing business at MSNBC.com, and their success is critical to NBC News,” said Neal Shapiro, president of NBC News.
“Charlie has done a superior job leading business development, ad sales and marketing. As general manager he will continue MSNBC.com's leadership of the online news category and ensure its success continues in the future,” said Scott Moore, general manager of MSN Network Experience.
“Charlie will build on his excellent relationships with our content and distribution partners and will help MSNBC.com cultivate even stronger interactions within MSN and NBC,” Moore said.
Before joining MSNBC.com, Tillinghast held business development and sales positions in the software, semiconductor and health-care industries. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in American civilization from Brown University. He attended the Wharton School’s executive education program on leadership. He is also on the board of trustees of Albertson College of Idaho.
MSN is a subsidiary of Microsoft. MSNBC.com, and its cable television arm, MSNBC TV, are joint ventures of Microsoft and NBC Universal.