Veteran Executive Thomas W. Ehardt Joins Advanstar Communications as Chief Administrative Officer

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanstar Communications, Inc., a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries, today announced that it has appointed Thomas W. Ehardt to fill its newly created position of Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer.

For the past several years, Advanstar has embarked upon an aggressive strategy to secure its market-leading positions in several of its segments, and the addition of the key operations position of Chief Administrative Officer was seen as instrumental in accomplishing this goal. Ehardt's primary focus as Chief Administrative Officer will be to report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and oversee the support units of the Company.

Ehardt previously served as Chief Executive Officer for Advogent Group within the Platinum Equity Group. His role at Advogent Group was to oversee four business units that develop, provide and deliver full life cycle solutions for Publications planning services, Healthcare Communications and Event Management and Logistics. He led the restructuring/reengineering efforts within the company post acquisition and successfully developed strategies for long term growth.  Before joining Advogent Group in 2007, Ehardt held the position of CEO at Jobson Publishing Group where he led the company through a major management restructuring resulting in substantial increases in revenues and profits across the organization. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting at Pace University, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Long Island University, graduating Valedictorian.

About Advanstar

Advanstar Communications, Inc. (www.advanstar.com) is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 141 events, 60 publications and directories, 233 electronic products and Web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 750 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

SOURCE Advanstar Communications, Inc.