We are making some strategic changes at AAN and as a result we will be parting ways with Rick Mundy, who has been our director of sales and marketing for just over a year. Rick’s last day here will be May 15.

Rick is a model employee, but he joined AAN at precisely the moment his main responsibility — the AAN CAN classified network — was about to go into the tank. Unfortunately, sales have continued to lag despite Rick’s best efforts to turn the situation around (and despite the recent appearance of a few green shoots).

We developed a new program — the AAN BRAN 1/8-page network — to supplement our AAN CAN income, but have managed to sell only one AAN BRAN ad in eight months.

So we are going to have to come to grips with the fact that AAN CAN’s best days are behind it and that the AAN BRAN program is, at best, only a partial solution.

Our current plan calls for developing a new advertising program utilizing the websites and email newsletters of our member papers. Once the program is up and running, we plan to focus our sales efforts on the progressive non-profit and advocacy sector in D.C. Here’s the job ad we placed earlier today:

Digital-Media Advertising Sales

We’re looking for a hungry and creative salesperson who will share in the upside for developing new markets.

We are the trade association for alternative newspapers like the Village Voice and Washington City Paper. The classified advertising program that has supported our organization for almost ten years is in decline, and we need a new source of revenue.

So we are developing a new advertising program utilizing the websites and email newsletters of our member papers. Once the program is up and running, we plan to focus our sales efforts on the progressive non-profit and advocacy sector. Are you the salesperson to lead the effort?

You will need sales experience in digital-media advertising. Experience working with or selling to non-profit and/or advocacy organizations is a plus.

The job comes with a modest starting salary, decent benefits and the potential for large commissions. In fact, with a mix of creativity and aggressiveness the right person could easily earn six figures in this position.

Cover letter and resume to resume to rkarpel at aan.org or AAN, 1250 Eye Street NW, Ste. 804, Washington, DC 20005.