Leon Mandel Replaced As AutoWeek Publisher

DETROIT, Nov. 26 -- Crain Communications has named Rich Ceppos, a well-known automotive editor and marketing executive, as publisher of AutoWeek, the nation's largest weekly consumer car magazine. Ceppos replaces the legendary Leon Mandel, recipient of the Automotive Hall of Fame 2000 Distinguished Service Citation, who will remain with the magazine as publisher emeritus.

``With nearly 30 years in automotive journalism and communications, Rich has tremendous experience and deep knowledge of the industry,'' said Keith Crain, chairman, Crain Communications Inc. ``And, I am also pleased that Leon will continue to be a prominent face of the magazine that he has grown so well, as publisher, columnist and public car guy. Their combined experience and love of cars makes them excellent drivers of our publication for our readers.''

Ceppos joins Crain on December 10. All departments of AutoWeek will report to him. He is currently executive vice president of Campbell & Co., Michigan's largest marketing communications firm. Since joining Campbell in 1995, Ceppos has led the firm's public relations group, founded the Automotive Communications and Education Group and headed Campbell's strategic consulting discipline. He also works extensively in the area of new business development.

Before joining Campbell, Ceppos held a number of editorial posts at major national publications. He was executive editor of Automobile magazine from 1991-1995; he served as executive editor of Car and Driver magazine from 1986 to 1991; and he was an associate editor of that same publication from 1978-1986. Ceppos was also an associate editor at Popular Science magazine from 1977 to 1978. He began his journalism career at Cars, a hot rod magazine. He lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. with his wife and daughter.

Mandel was named publisher of AutoWeek in 1988 from editor-in-chief. He has been reporting and writing about the car world for nearly 40 years. He began his career at a weekly newspaper in northern California and was variously editor of Competition Press, senior editor at Motor Trend and managing editor of Car and Driver. He is the author of six books including a one-volume history of the domestic car industry titled American Cars which was an alternate selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club. In his earlier years he sold cars for 15 years at a dealership under Kjell Qvale in San Francisco. In 2000, he received an Automotive Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Citation recognizing him for decades of support of auto enthusiasm.

Mandel is also managing editor of the AutoWeek television show. He lives in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.