Publishing Veteran Joins e-learning Magazine as Editor-in-Chief

SANTA ANA, Calif. — In order to offer readers more of the e-learning insights and solutions it has become known for, e-learning magazine and elearningmag.com announce the addition of a seasoned publishing professional, Gene Smarte, as editor-in-chief. With the addition of an editor-in-chief, e-learning magazine and Advanstar Communications affirms its commitment to e-learning.

“I am delighted to have Gene Smarte on our team,” said Joe Flynn, General Manager, e-learning/Collaboration Media Group. “Gene’s leadership and experience in technology will keep us at the forefront of e-learning as it evolves.”

A skilled editor, Smarte has over 15 years of experience as a business-to-business technology editor, and also has several years experience creating online versions of print publications. He has held previous editorial positions, including executive producer of Digital Media On-line, an online web community for the digital media market, and editor-in-chief of two Advanstar publications, CADALYST and PC Graphics & Video. As editor-in-chief of these two magazines for over five years, Smarte helped establish the first online versions of any Advanstar publication, and set the standard for quality print and online editorial content. Prior to his work with Advanstar, Gene was the managing editor, special projects editor, and senior editor of BYTE Magazine, a McGraw-Hill publication, where he managed a staff of 40 editors in one of the IT industries’ largest publications.

“I welcome Gene’s wisdom and publishing experience to the e-learning team,” said Publisher Keith Gallagher. “His leadership will enable us to deliver our readers and advertisers the industry’s most trustworthy and timely information and resources.”

Smarte will work with Editor Paul DeVeaux and the magazine staff to quickly establish a strong web presence and a robust editorial line-up for e-learning magazine. Smarte will be based in Advanstar’s Santa Ana office and can be reached at gsmarte@advanstar.com.

Teleconference magazine is now part of the e-learning folio, combining the fast converging world of e-learning and collaborative communications products and services into one industry-leading monthly publication.

e-learning magazine evaluates the benefits and effectiveness of e-learning, and provides information on e-learning content, technology and services for high-level educators and trainers in the enterprise, government and academia. e-learning magazine is the official publication and media sponsor of the e-learning Conference & Expo. April 17-20, 2001 in Washington, DC.

e-learning magazine is published monthly by Advanstar Communications Inc., a worldwide business information company serving specialized markets with high-quality information resources and integrated marketing solutions. Advanstar has 106 top business and professional publications, 108 exhibitions and conferences, 79 web sites, and a wide range of direct marketing, database and reference products and services Advanstar serves targeted market sectors in such industries as telecommunications, CRM/call center, e-commerce, retail, travel, hospitality, beauty, fashion, healthcare, pharmaceutical, currently operates from multiple offices North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. For more information on Advanstar Communications, visit www.advanstar.com

sdobak@advanstar.com