Lonely Planet Names New MD for EMEA

LONDON: Douglas Schatz is to join Lonely Planet in January as the managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, reporting to Matt Goldberg, the company’s CEO.

Schatz will be responsible for leading the company’s European business and delivering the strategy for print and digital expansion. A key area of focus will be on growing and broadening its audiences across print, digital and emerging platforms. He joins Lonely Planet from Stanfords, a retailer of travel books and map data, where he was managing director for more than ten years.

Goldberg commented, “Douglas brings an exceptional knowledge of the travel-book market and insights into the development of digital media to support Lonely Planet on our journey towards becoming a diversified travel media and services provider.”

Schatz added, “I have long been an admirer of Lonely Planet for its great brand, its independent culture and its talented people, and I’m delighted to be joining them at such an exciting time. I am very much looking forward to helping the business extend its reputation as the world’s leading source of travel inspiration and information across the full range of media in the digital age.”