High Gear Media Names Matt Heist as CEO

Posted: 08.18.2009 | By jeff

Founder Hesky Kutscher appointed Chairman

PALO ALTO, Calif., August 18, 2009 – High Gear Media, (www.highgearmedia.com), a publisher of automotive digital media content targeting in-market car buyers by interest and lifestyle, today announced that Matthew Heist has been named chief executive officer and appointed to the board of directors. Founder Hesky Kutscher has been named chairman of the board of directors. High Gear Media’s content platform powers 39 owned and operated automotive websites including TheCarConnection.com, MotorAuthority.com, GreenCarReports.com, and AllCarsElectric.com.

Since joining High Gear Media as COO in September of 2008, Heist has been responsible for day-to-day operations as well as general corporate strategy as the company has built out its content platform and network of owned and operated sites. “I am thrilled at the acceleration we have demonstrated over the last 10 months,” said Heist.  “I’m incredibly excited about High Gear Media’s momentum and opportunity creating high quality, original content, and delivering engaged audiences to advertisers.  We have an amazing team that is executing very well.”

Hesky Kutscher, High Gear Media’s Founder, has been named Chairman of the Board and will focus on continuing to expand High Gear Media’s network as well as all business and corporate development initiatives.  “Our decision to make Matt CEO reflects a natural evolution of High Gear Media,” said Kutscher.  “Over the past 10 months, Matt has done an exceptional job driving results and I look forward to continuing the work that we have begun together.”

In the last nine months, High Gear Media has expanded rapidly with the launch or acquisition of 39 owned-and-operated automotive websites. Last week, the company announced the acquisition of MotorAuthority.com, a luxury and performance car site. Traffic and revenue have grown substantially in the first half of 2009.  The company closed a Series B round of funding last month with Accel Partners, Greylock Partners and DAG Ventures and expects to be profitable with this round of financing.

Prior to joining High Gear Media, Heist was senior vice president and general manager of Sidestep.com, where he was responsible for the company’s core vertical search product. Sidestep was acquired by Kayak in December 2007. Prior to Sidestep, Heist was vice president of business operations at Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO), responsible for driving strategy and operations for Yahoo’s vertical search and commerce listings properties, including Yahoo Autos, Shopping, Travel, Real Estate and Local.

About High Gear Media
High Gear Media is a next generation media company building a network of owned-and-operated websites for car consumers targeting every interest and lifestyle. High Gear Media owns and operates 39 automotive content sites, including its anchor site, TheCarConnection.com, the “green suite” – GreenCarReports.com, AllCarsElectric.com,  AllAboutPrius.com,  and other sites such as MustangBlog.com, CamaroBlog.com and ChallengerBlog.com.  High Gear Media’s content is syndicated across the Web to partners including Yahoo! Autos, Glam Media, FoxNews.com, Huffington Post, BusinessInsider.com, Oodle and The San Francisco Chronicle.   Independent automotive writers and people who are passionate about cars can contribute content alongside the company’s editorial experts by visiting HighGearMedia.com. High Gear Media is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. and received its funding from Accel Partners, Greylock Partners and DAG Ventures.

Press Contact:
High Gear Media
650.353.2433

http://www.highgearmedia.com/contact/

info@highgearmedia.com

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