Madrona Venture Group partner Brian McAndrews, the former aQuantive CEO and Microsoft executive, has been elected to the New York Times Co. board of directors, part of a broader effort by the newspaper’s board to boost its tech experience.

Also joining the NYT board is Joi Ito, the director of the MIT Media Lab and the board chairman of the Creative Commons nonprofit.

“Joi Ito and Brian McAndrews bring deep digital experience to the Board of the Times Company, which will be invaluable as we continue our digital transformation,” said New York Times publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr in a news release announcing the appointments.

He continued, “Joi is world-renowned as a digital innovator and thought leader, with significant expertise in technology policy. Brian is highly recognized for his expertise in both digital and traditional media, with a noteworthy understanding of digital advertising and the integration of emerging technologies. Each brings to our Board extensive insight on the intersection of technology and content.”

McAndrews oversaw the sale of aQuantive to Microsoft for $6 billion in 2007, the largest deal in the Redmond company’s history until its acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion last year. McAndrews had been among the tech execs whose names were floated for the Yahoo CEO position before the hiring of the since-departed Scott Thompson.

 

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