Rothenberg Calls Time on New Role to Return to IAB

After a brief stint at Time Inc., Randall Rothenberg has returned to the IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) in New York, in his previous role of President and Chief Executive Officer.

Rothenberg announced he would be leaving the IAB in December, to take up the new position of EVP, Chief Digital Officer with Time Inc. However, following the ousting of the magazine publishing giant's CEO Jack Griffin, Rothenberg resigned after less than a month to return to his former role.

In an internal memo, the publisher told staff that Rothenberg has been a 'valued and collegial member' of its management team, and that his departure would be mitigated by his assurance that he will continue to work closely with Time Inc., which is a member of the IAB.

The firm said that getting to know Rothenberg better had been of great benefit, and as a result, Time Inc. would be redoubling its commitment to the IAB by becoming a charter sponsor of the association's new IAB Lab, sponsoring its cross-industry measurement standardization initiative, and continuing Board-level sponsorship of the IAB Mobile Marketing Center of Excellence.

Founded in 1996, the IAB educates marketers, agencies, media companies and the wider business community about the value of interactive advertising.

Rothenberg originally became its leader in 2007, prior to which he was the Senior Director of Intellectual Capital at strategy and technology consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. He also spent six years at The New York Times as Technology Editor and Politics Editor, and ten years as a marketing and media columnist for Advertising Age.

Recently appointed IAB Chairman Bob Carrigan said the Board is excited by Rothenberg's return at a time when the industry is at a 'critical point'.

According to press reports, Rothenberg made about $600k a year at the IAB in 2009, the last year for which figures are available, and is believed to be returning for a salary close to $700k, less than the $750k paycheck he was receiving at Time Inc.

'I am thrilled to be returning to IAB, to this superb team, and to a membership I feel honored to serve,' Rothenberg commented. 'I'm energized by our efforts to assure that data usage and control are negotiated fairly and transparently among trading partners, with consumer rights squarely in the forefront. This will be a great year for IAB and its members.'

Web site: www.iab.net .