Hart Resigns as Infogroup President and CEO

Clare Hart, the President and CEO of database giant Infogroup, is stepping down 'to pursue new opportunities' just 18 months into the role. She will be replaced by the firm's Chairman Michael Iaccarino.

Hart joined Infogroup, until recently the parent of ORC International, in July 2010, prior to its acquisition by CCMP Capital Advisors in a deal valued at $468m.

At the time of acquisition, Infogroup was split into 18 separate business units, but Hart reduced this number to five and eliminated around 140 staff positions in the process. Shortly afterwards, Infogroup sold off its global market research arm ORC International to a group of the firm's senior managers.

Richard Zannino, Infogroup's lead director and a MD at CCMP Capital, commented on Hart's departure: 'We sincerely appreciate Clare's tireless efforts over the past 18 months which have enhanced the company's very strong financial position and increased our equity value. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.'

Hart is replaced by digital marketing veteran Iaccarino, who joined the firm in July 2010 and has been Chairman since August 2011. He was previously President and CEO of mobile tech firm Mobile Messenger, prior to which he was President and CEO of Internet marketing company Epsilon and a Senior Manager at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Separately, sources claim that CMO Slade Kobran will be leaving the firm, because Infogroup is decentralizing its marketing function. He has held the role for the past two years, before which he served as Senior VP & Director of Marketing at ORC and SVP Marketing at Guideline.

Infogroup is currently suing Database101, the new company of its founder and former CEO Vin Gupta, for illegal practices, including the alleged theft of its database. Gupta denies the charges.

Web site: www.infogroup.com .