Jean Jennings Named Editor in Chief of Automobile Magazine

Posted on November 18, 1999

David Tanzer, president and chief executive officer, Primedia Consumer Magazines, announced that Jean Jennings, 45, currently deputy editor of Automobile Magazine, has been named editor in chief of the magazine, effective January 1, 2000. Jennings will succeed Founding Editor David E. Davis, Jr., 69, who has been promoted to a senior position working on Primedia's automotive-related Internet activities and who will continue to contribute a monthly column to Automobile Magazine.

"Jean has been instrumental in the creation, development and growth of Automobile Magazine and has worked side by side with David E. Davis, Jr. for the entire history of the magazine," said Tanzer. "She has been a driving force in making Automobile Magazine a must-read for 'the enlightened automotive enthusiast,' and I am confident that she will continue to make Automobile Magazine even stronger."

Jennings has been writing for automotive enthusiast titles since 1980 including at Automobile Magazine since it was founded in 1985. She has won numerous awards for feature writing and for her monthly column, Vile Gossip, in Automobile Magazine. She has also served as the automotive correspondent for Good Morning America since 1994 and is the automotive correspondent for Oxygen Media. Jennings will be the first female editor in chief of a leading automotive enthusiast title.

Jennings said that she plans to further develop Automobile Magazine's website -- with plans to add an automotive insider newsletter, "Scoop," for the industry and for "super" enthusiasts. Other plans are to continue to build the "Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year" and "Automobile Magazine All-Stars" awards.