New York, NY – Gordon T. Hughes, II, the current president and chief executive officer of American Business Media (ABM), has announced his decision not to renew his contract in July. The association is now beginning a search for his replacement. Hughes has been with ABM for 16 years. Though he did not share his reasons for the decision, he stated his intention to return to the entertainment industry. His prior experience includes 20 years with CBS Television and two Emmy Awards.
In his announcement, Hughes highlighted some of the accomplishments the association achieved under his leadership, including the launch of the association’s website (1994); the creation of new awards, such as the first digital Neal Award (1994), the Grand Neal (1995) and the Creative Excellence in Business Award (CEBA), (1995); the introduction of the Business Information Network in 1996, which reports business media revenues; a number of association awards, such as the Robert L. Krakoff Lifetime Achievement Award for Publishing; and an overall increase in membership.
When Hughes came on board in 1994, ABM had 107 members. Membership peaked at 340 companies in 2008, but has since fallen. ABM currently lists 261 member companies on its website.
Last year, the association sought to develop a new strategy to prepare for an economic recovery, as reported in Folio: magazine. Staff was reduced by 40%, including Nicholas Ferrari, executive vice president in charge of the ABM’s membership sales efforts since 2007. The association also saw the departure of John Holden, senior vice president of business media services and business development, when he retired earlier this year.
Reach Gordon Hughes at (212) 661-6360 x3314 or g.hughes@abmmail.com
