AOL taps Lyne to serve as CEO of its Brand Group

NEW YORK (AP) — AOL has hired one of its board members, former Martha Stewart Living CEO Susan Lyne, to run the AOL portfolio of brands.

The Internet company said Thursday that as CEO of its Brand Group, Lyne will be responsible for increasing traffic across its properties, bringing top talent on board and maximizing partnerships with advertisers and publishers.

Lyne takes over at the Brand Group from chief operating officer Arthur Minson, who was overseeing the company's three divisions. He will stay on during a transition period.

AOL says Lyne's experience as CEO and chairman of the retail shopping site Gilt, as well as her time as president and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, should help her at AOL. She also served as president of ABC Entertainment.

AOL says Lyne currently serves as Gilt's vice chairman and will continue in that position.