Former TMZ GM lan Citron has been named president of Buzz Media (formerly Buzznet). He will oversee programming, marketing, engineering and product development at the company, whose portfolio of more than 30 sites includes Stereogum, Absolute Punk and a recently marginalized Idolator.
The move could signal a chain in the tone at Buzznet's online properties towards TMZ's more gossip and celebrity focused offering. Citron’s appointment also comes as part of an expansion of the Buzz Media management team. Anthony Batt, the company’s founder and former President, will become COO and Karina Kogan has been upped to EVP, Marketing.
Citronserved as a senior advisor to Buzz since August 2008. Prior to that, he was the founding general manager of TMZ. A former L.A. Times reporter and editor, he was also the founding president of Ticketmaster Online. Citron subsequently served as chairman of Ticketmaster Online-Citysearch, and president of USA Networks Interactive under Barry Diller. He was also the founding president of MusicNet, one of the first digital music services. "Buzz Media has an embarrassmentm of riches when it comes to music and celebrity properties,” said Citron. “It’s a pleasure to be associated with these great brands.”
Buzz Media’s portfolio includes online music and celebrity brands such as Buzznet, Celebuzz, Absolute Punk, GoFugYourself, JustJared, Stereogum, TheSuperficial, WWTDD, and the official sites for celebrities like Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie and others.
