New Ad Director Named For Newspapers

— Northwest Arkansas Newspapers has named Crystal Thurman advertising and marketing director for the newspaper group jointly owned by WEHCO Media and Stephens Media.

The addition of Thurman, 33, was made possible by restructuring the management hierarchy of the business’ production division, according to Jeff Jeffus, president of the company.

Jim Blankenship will now manage the classified advertising department following the recent departure of Debbie Foliart, Jeffus said.

Kent Eikenberry remains as sales manager for Benton County, Kaye Hunton is the sales manager for Washington County and Jim Quillen is sales manager for the company’s weekly newspapers. All four managers will report to Thurman.

She will oversee 57 members of the newspapers’ advertising and marketing department for all of the group’s publications including Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition, Benton County Daily Record, Northwest Arkansas Times, Rogers Morning News and Springdale Morning News.

Thurman will report to Jeffus and office at the Fayetteville location.

Jeffus said Thurman has a proven track record of creating new products and bringing fresh ideas into the marketplace.

“She will provide excellent leadership for our staff,” he said.

Thurman joined the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 2003 and was promoted to director of promotions and marketing in 2006.

During her tenure at the Democrat-Gazette she launched Arkansas Life, a statewide magazine, and Sync, a weekly tabloid distributed in the Little Rock metro area. She is also responsible for more than 100 special sections published annually by the newspaper, the release notes.

“I grew up in Deer, AR, near Jasper in Newton County so relocating to the beautiful region is a bit like coming home,” Thurmansaid. “There is so much opportunity here and I can’t wait to get involved with more new products.”

As a big Razorback fan Thurman says she’s anxious to settle into the family’s interim home in Fayetteville. Her husband Ben and sons Tanner, 12, and Max, 10, will be locating here from Little Rock in the next month.

News, Pages 2 on 02/24/2010