L.A. Times Names New Marketing Chief

Jim Helin has been promoted to senior vice president, chief marketing officer and general manager, sections, of the Los Angeles Times, the newspaper announced Wednesday. In assuming those positions, effective immediately, he oversees The Times’ marketing department.

Helin succeeds Jaynie Studenmund, 44, who joined The Times earlier this year and is leaving for personal and family reasons, The Times said.

Helin, 56, last year led The Times’ efforts to launch and market its new National Edition. Before joining The Times more than a year ago, he headed his own management consulting company and was chief executive of advertising agency D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles in Los Angeles.

“This position gives Jim a great opportunity to expand his responsibilities and allows us to take full advantage of his considerable marketing background,” said Kathyrn M. Downing, president and chief executive of The Times, a unit of Times Mirror Co. Helin now heads “a more integrated marketing operation that will help us grow readership and revenues,” Downing added.