Veteran New Media Executive to Oversee Editorial Direction and Supervision for Digital Media Sites

Lane Beauchamp has been named Managing Editor for the Viacom Television Stations Digital Media Group, it was announced today by Jonathan Leess, President of the new division. In this newly-created role, Beauchamp will be responsible for editorial direction and supervision of the group's centralized operations, in addition to coordinating with each station's staff at the company's 40 individual sites. Beauchamp, previously General Manager of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/ Journal Communication's online components, will report to Leess.

"Lane is that rare executive who offers both Internet savvy and real shoe leather reporting experience," said Leess. "In addition to helping build and maintain websites for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its corporate cousins - which average more than 1 million users a month under his watch - Lane established strong journalism credentials early in his career as a reporter for the Kansas City Star. Finding a combination like this is rare, and I'm confident he will excel as our managing editor much as he has throughout his entire career in journalism and new media."

Most recently, Beauchamp served as General Manager for Journal Interactive, the online division of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Journal Communications. There, he was responsible for the integration and supervision of all online components (news, sales, marketing, Web development and design) with a focus on building readership, revenue and profitability. Journal Sentinel's sites were widely considered among the most successful and most honored among media Web sites. Before that, he worked as the division's General Sales Manager, where he led all business development efforts for Journal Interactive, directly supervising an eight-person team responsible for advertising, promotions, marketing, Web development and licensing. He also previously served as Director of Audience Development for Circle 1 Network/ Spectracom Inc., where he oversaw all aspects of the company's corporate Web development efforts, negotiating partnerships for promotions, advertising and co-branded site development. He also previously worked as Director of Audience Development and Communications Manager for a Milwaukee-based online publisher and marketing agency, building content and Internet strategies for a variety of companies, including the NFL.

Beauchamp started his career as a reporter for The Kansas City Star, spending eight years as a national correspondent, arts & entertainment writer and general assignment reporter.

Beauchamp holds a Bachelor's of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri.

The Viacom Television Stations Group now consists of 40 stations, including 21 CBS, 16 UPN and three stations not affiliated with the major networks. The group owns multiple stations in 10 markets.