High Gear Media Names David Armitage as Chief Revenue Officer; July Represented Company's All-Time Traffic High

PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 16, 2010; High Gear Media (www.highgearmedia.com), a premium vertical content company that publishes more automotive content than anyone on the Web, today announced that David Armitage joined the company as its Chief Revenue Officer. Armitage will oversee all revenue initiatives with a particular focus on accelerating the growth in brand advertising on the company's fast growing owned and operated network of automotive destinations. The company also announced its July traffic hit an all-time high of 3 million visitors -- representing year over year growth of 104%.

"David is a proven sales and marketing executive who understands exactly what automotive clients seek from their digital efforts, especially as ad spend continues to move online," said High Gear Media CEO Matt Heist. "We're excited to add his expertise as we develop High Gear Media into the leading publisher of automotive content and a proven, high-performing solution for brands to connect with audiences making car buying decisions."

Armitage will drive the comprehensive sales strategy and execution for High Gear Media's owned and operated network of premium automotive properties including its anchor site, TheCarConnection.com; its luxury and performance site, MotorAuthority.com; green and electric car sites, GreenCarReports.com and AllCarsElectric.com; its family-focused site FamilyCarGuide.com and its industry site, SocialCarNews.com.

"Automotive marketers are inundated with choices for reaching buyers, but the key is creating unique ways for them to connect with audiences and build brand affinity with customers as they interact with content on the Web," said Armitage. "The High Gear Media team has a totally unique approach that has resonated with automotive consumers and demonstrated growth. While the usual players will continue to garner their share of ad dollars, this is a tremendous opportunity to deliver innovative solutions for marketers looking at new ways of winning customers."

Most recently, Armitage served as VP and GM of the automotive group at Blue Kai. Previously he was VP of Advertising at Autobytel and Executive Director of Advertising & Sales for Edmunds.com. Before that, Armitage was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for PRIMEDIA's Digital Automotive and Motorcycle Groups.