Tom Ott, president of Smithsonian Publishing since October 2005, has been named acting chief executive officer of Smithsonian Business Ventures effective immediately. Acting Secretary Cristián Samper made the announcement today.

Smithsonian Business Ventures is the revenue-generating arm of the Institution, which includes Smithsonian and Air and Space magazines; 29 museum stores; the mail-order gift catalog; restaurant businesses; three IMAX theaters; and all licensing and media enterprises of the Smithsonian, including Smithsonian Networks and adult and student travel programs. All earnings from Business Ventures support the Smithsonian Institution.

"The Smithsonian is fortunate to have such an accomplished and experienced business leader step in to run Smithsonian Business Ventures during this time of transition," said Samper.

As president of Smithsonian Publishing, Ott continues to be responsible for managing and directing overall operations and strategy for Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines and goSmithsonian, as well as the three brands’ respective Web sites. Ott’s accomplishments to date within the publishing group include an editorial redesign, the launch of online business units, the creation of a special 13th issue of Smithsonian magazine and the implementation of a cost management structure which resulted in favorable, multimillion dollar contract renegotiations with outside suppliers.

Prior to joining the Smithsonian two years ago, Ott, 48, worked as the general manager of the Home & Garden Division of Reader’s Digest North America Publishing Group. He was group publisher of Time4 Outdoors from 2001 to 2005. Before that, Ott was president and publisher of Time Inc.’s This Old House, one of the most successful magazines of the 1990s. His additional positions at Time Inc. included associate publisher of Time magazine (United States) and publisher of Time magazine (Canada).

Ott, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Providence College in Rhode Island in 1981, began his career with Hearst Magazines as advertising manager, business manager and circulation manager. Ott replaces founding CEO of Business Ventures Gary Beer, who joined the Smithsonian in August 1999.

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