Time Warner Digital executive transfers to international arm

Time Warner has appointed the former chief operating officer of its Time Warner Digital Media division to head Time Inc.'s international unit, the company said.

As previously reported, Michael Pepe and two other high-level Time Warner executives who were involved in the company's Internet strategy have left their positions within the past few months.

The departures have raised questions about the division's role now that Time Warner plans to merge with America Online.

The division is largely responsible for overseeing issues related to the companies' combination. But its former objectives to create a fully staffed division to manage Time Warner's Web sites and its stake in cable Internet service provider Road Runner have been eliminated since the merger announcement.

Pepe has been with Time Inc. since 1986 and has held numerous business strategy posts in the various magazine divisions. He assumed the helm of Time's Internet efforts in January 1999, but the division's focus changed, as seen in the shuttering of its Pathfinder business.

He eventually shifted to the newly created Time Warner Digital Media division when the parent company decided to consolidate control of its myriad Internet efforts.

In his new position, Pepe will oversee Time's magazine publishing efforts around the world. His appointment fills a management void since former international head John Marcom quit in January to join online movie distributor AtomFilms.

Pepe will report to Don Logan, chief executive of Time Inc.