Tad Smith has been promoted to CEO of Reed Business Information, a move that puts him in charge of more than 100 business-to-business publications. Smith had been executive v-p for RBI with direct responsibility for the media group—which includes PW, Library Journal and Variety—and the retail division. Smith succeeds Jim Casella, who has been promoted to vice-chairman of RBI.
Smith, who joined RBI in 2000 as head of Internet operations, said he intends to continue many of Casella's initiatives, including investing in print products, while accelerating electronic publishing efforts.
In his role of v-p of the media group, Smith conceived of the Quill Awards, the first of which were given this fall. Smith said he remains "enthusiastic" about the awards, and a survey is being conducted among industry members to gauge their support for the program. As long as the industry is behind the Quills, Smith said, the event will go forward.
