ImpreMedia launches ImpreMedia Digital.

ImpreMedia Chairman and CEO John Paton announced the creation of ImpreMedia Digital, LLC. ImpreMedia will pursue all of its online efforts through the new company, including acquisitions.

Mr. Paton also announced the appointment of Arturo Duran as the Chief Executive Officer of ImpreMedia Digital, LLC. Mary Zerafa, who had been appointed General Manager of ImpreMedia’s digital efforts in March of 2006, will become Vice-President, Strategy of ImpreMedia Digital, LLC. Both appointments are effective immediately.

“The creation of ImpreMedia Digital, LLC is an important event in the history of our young company,” Mr. Paton said. “We intend to rapidly build upon our online strengths to better serve our audience and our advertisers.”

“We will aggressively expand our digital offerings – which will not only include updates to our existing industry leading newspaper online sites – but also the development of new digital content sites as well. We will develop the new sites internally as well as through acquisition,” Mr. Paton said. “The team of Arturo Duran and Mary Zerafa will lead these new initiatives. They are indeed a dynamic duo with a great track record of success.”

Mr. Duran, who recently resigned as President of Interactive and Business Integration for Canwest Mediaworks, led the growth of online revenue of that organization to a record level and converted it into the largest Canadian News and Information Network with more than 50 sites. Most of this growth came from the launch of a suite of online Classifieds that quickly grew to the largest in Canada (working.com, driving.ca, remembering.ca, renting.ca etc). Mr. Duran has a long and distinguished career in the online field. He previously served in executive roles at AOL including those of Vice President, Multicultural, for AOL Media Networks, VP Marketing and Interactive Content for AOL Canada, and Director Business Development for AOL Mexico as member of the Team that launched AOL Latin America. Prior to those appointments, Mr. Duran was the Director of Business Development, Internet Division for the Polaroid Corporation.

“The creation of Impremedia, more than 3 years ago, was intended to serve a market with enormous potential. I am pleased to join its latest revolutionary endeavor, Impremedia Digital, LLC, Mr. Duran said. Duran continued, “Hispanics online are an under-served market and serving this market requires an innovative approach. Impremedia assets are the perfect entry points to help build this new robust community.”

“Arturo has a stellar track record in the online field. He has demonstrated a unique and compelling vision for building digital companies and the ability to execute successfully on that vision,” Paton said.

Prior to her appointment in March 2006, Ms. Zerafa was Corporate Director of Marketing for ImpreMedia and Vice President of Market Development and New Media for La Opinión. From 2000 to 2005, Zerafa served as Director of New Media for La Opinión, ImpreMedia’s largest newspaper. Zerafa launched laopinion.com and led it to its position as the #1 Spanish language news and information site for US Latinos.

“Mary’s online experience and her extensive knowledge of ImpreMedia’s content offerings will be essential to our success in the rapid expansion of our online initiatives. Her can-do attitude and insightful approach to any issue will prove to be invaluable as we grow the company,” Mr. Paton said.