Ch-ch-changes! at Mountain Xpress

As part of ongoing efforts better interface with and represent our community, Xpress has created two new positions and rearranged the management of our Advertising Department this week: James Fisher has stepped up to become our director of business development; Marissa Williams takes over as advertising manager; and John Varner becomes supplements ad manager.

James Fisher — who has been the Xpress ad director for four years (and joined the Xpress ad sales team shortly after its inception in 1994) — says, “I will be working on three fronts: regional/national sales; community involvement, which includes consolidating all trades and sponsorships and growing new ones; and identifying community events that Xpress will sponsor or cosponsor. Essentially, I will be taking some of the things I have done for years here to another level.”

And as Fisher steps into his new role, Marissa Williams, who until now has been Web marketing manager, becomes manager of the Advertising Department. John Varner moves to a new position too: supplements ad manager, charged with overseeing ad sales of Xpress’ numerous supplements, both in-paper and standalone.

Publisher Jeff Fobes remarks, “These are key changes that I believe put Xpress in a strategic position to build its leadership roles in reporting on and interacting with Asheville’s increasingly dynamic and creative community.”

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We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

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4 thoughts on “Ch-ch-changes! at Mountain Xpress

  1. James P. Fisher

    Looking forward to the new role-keep an eye out for many new initiatives from good ol’ Xpress in the future! BTW, I was Director of Advertising for four years, not three, Sales Manager for about 3 years before that, and began as an Ad Rep in July 1995…just to be accurate!

  2. Marissa

    I’ll let it slide that you gave me an extra “r” just this once Ms. Williams. Just. This. Once.

  3. Curious

    Why do Mountain Xpress employees use the public comment section to communicate with one another? Don’t they see each other in person? Don’t they have an internal e-mail system?

  4. Margaret Williams

    That’s the Spanish Marrrrrrissa! As you know often happens at Xpress, the more editors with a hand in an article (whether to read it, proof it or tweak it), the more interesting things often happen.

    Besides, I simply can’t type well on Fridays.

    (Curious: We Xpressers try to stay psychically connected at all times, 24/7, using all modes of possible transport. I’m surprised Fisher didn’t Tweet me already ….)

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