From Observer-Reporter, June 23

Miller named Observer-Reporter advertising director

Matt Miller, an eight-year employee of Observer Publishing Co., has been named advertising director for the Observer-Reporter.

In his new position, Miller is responsible for a staff of 32, which includes inside and outside sales representatives, managers and support staff who work for the Observer-Reporter in Washington and Waynesburg, as well as The Almanac, a weekly newspaper in McMurray covering Pittsburgh's South Hills region.

Miller, 31, of Washington, joined the newspaper's advertising department as an intern in April 1997 while completing his degree in communications and information systems at Robert Morris University. He was assigned to outside sales in the retail advertising department in August 1997.

In 1998, he was promoted to outside classified sales consultant, handling auto dealers, and in October 2000, he helped to launch cobwebcars.com, the O-R's online Web site for auto dealers. He was promoted to regional sales consultant for major/national accounts in April 2001, and in September 2001 was promoted to retail advertising manager and corporate advertising trainer. He was named outside classified advertising manager in June 2003, and in January 2004 also took additional responsibilities as Internet advertising manager.

In announcing the appointment, Observer-Reporter Publisher Thomas P. Northrop noted that Miller has been involved in every aspect of advertising at the newspaper.

"He's proven himself in every single department he's worked in," Northrop said.

While noting that the newspaper industry is mature and has many challenges, Northrop said Miller is up to the task.

"He's got the drive and enthusiasm to be successful," he said.