McClatchy Interactive, the online division of The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), today named David G. Fitzpatrick II as vice president for strategic initiatives. Fitzpatrick recently served as vice president, sales for McClatchy Interactive and general manager of Real Cities Network, a national advertising network serving the newspaper industry.

As vice president for strategic initiatives, Fitzpatrick will lead McClatchy's efforts to develop vertical and niche sites that complement its existing lineup of news and information sites. McClatchy's network of more than 30 sites is currently visited by more the 27 million consumers every month.

"It's clear there's a tremendous opportunity to provide local readers with a richer online experience by creating niche and vertical websites that combine our local experience and content with national brands and content," said Christian A. Hendricks, vice president, interactive media for McClatchy. "We are confident advertisers will also benefit greatly from better targeted advertising opportunities and increased traffic in topic-specific content areas on these sites."

Fitzpatrick, 41, joined McClatchy in 2006 and had been responsible for McClatchy's interactive product sales as well as general management oversight for the Real Cities Network. From 2000 to 2006, Fitzpatrick was the managing partner of Vasari Communications, a leader in wireless PDA technology for conferences and events. Prior to Vasari, he was an executive in marketing for IBM from 1997 to 2000.

"We're confident David's broad sales and marketing experience coupled with his creative approach to product development will serve McClatchy well," Hendricks said.

Fitzpatrick earned a bachelor's degree in advertising from the School of Journalism & Mass Communications at San Jose State University. He resides in Raleigh, N.C., with his wife, Lisa, and three daughters.

About McClatchy

The McClatchy Company is the third largest newspaper company in the United States, with 30 daily newspapers, approximately 50 non-dailies, and direct marketing and direct mail operations. McClatchy also operates leading local websites in each of its markets which extend its audience reach. The websites offer users comprehensive news and information, advertising, e-commerce and other services. Together with its newspapers and direct marketing products, these interactive operations make McClatchy the leading local media company in each of its premium high growth markets. McClatchy-owned newspapers include The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Kansas City Star, The Charlotte Observer, and The (Raleigh) News & Observer.

McClatchy also owns a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 14.4% of CareerBuilder, the nation's largest online job site, and 25.6% of Classified Ventures, a newspaper industry partnership that offers two of the nation's premier classified websites: the auto website, cars.com, and the rental site, apartments.com. McClatchy is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MNI.

SOURCE The McClatchy Company