November 7, 2005–New Times Media announced today that Michele Laven has resigned as president of the Ruxton Group, the alternative newspaper company’s national advertising sales agency. Laven is leaving to head up the newly created integrated media department for Clear Channel Radio in Los Angeles.

“Michele has done an outstanding job for our weeklies in every position she has held,” said New Times chief executive officer Jim Larkin. “All of us at New Times wish her continued success and thank her for her hard work and her key role in New Times’ and Ruxton’s dynamic growth.”

“I have had an opportunity over the last nineteen years to work with the best people and products in the alternative newspaper business,” said Laven. “Jim Larkin and [New Times executive editor] Michael Lacey have built an amazing company that is poised to grow and thrive in the future. I’m proud to have been a part of New Times.”

Laven has led Ruxton since its acquisition by New Times in 1995. During that time, she built the agency into a national advertising powerhouse which now represents 29 alternative newsweeklies across the U.S. The Ruxton Group has a staff of seven, including four full-time salespersons. Ruxton national advertising director Joe Larkin and Ruxton senior vice president Susan Belair will split Laven’s duties at the agency.

“We expect to have continued and ever greater success in the national arena with Ruxton’s strong customer base, solid operational framework and rock-solid reputation,” said New Times CEO Larkin. “We have a strong and dedicated staff that is committed to serving our member papers. This is an exciting time for us thanks to the national sales platform we are able to offer our customers.”

That platform should grow pending federal Department of Justice approval of the merger between New Times and Village Voice Media. The addition of the six Voice papers, which include the flagship Village Voice in New York City and LA Weekly in Los Angeles, along with award-winning publications in Seattle, Minneapolis, Orange County and Nashville, will bring Ruxton’s total membership to 35 papers and will give the agency and its clients a strong presence in all of the nation’s Top Five media markets and nine of the Top Ten U.S. media markets. The local footprint of these papers coupled with Ruxton’s national reach and integrated approaches will allow Ruxton to offer clients even more customized local and regional marketing opportunities and partnerships.

For more information, contact Scott Spear, New Times senior vice president of corporate affairs: 602-271-0040 or scott.spear@newtimes.com