OREANDA-NEWS. October 13, 2009. Rambler Media Limited (RMG.LN) (“Rambler” or the “Group”), the operator of one of Russia’s most popular internet brands, announced the appointment of Maxim Azarov as the Group’s new Chief Product Officer (“CPO”) and the appointment of Pavel Rogozhin as the Group’s Chief of Product Development (“CPD”) with immediate effect.

As Rambler’s CPO, Maxim’s primary objective will be to continue to build an active and loyal internet audience by adapting Rambler’s range of products to the ever evolving needs of Russian internet users. As Rambler’s CPD, Pavel will be focused on creating a unified and advanced development platform further ensuring Rambler’s technological leadership.

Maxim Azarov joins Rambler from Google, where he held the position of Product Manager and was responsible for the development and performance of selected Google products in the Russian and CIS markets since 2007. Between 2005 and 2007, Maxim was software architect at SMSC (Standard Microsystems) and was responsible for the planning, definition and execution of software development projects for the company's silicon chips. Prior to that, Maxim was Team Leader at computer software producer Digital 5 in New Jersey where he managed the design and implementation of software for networked consumer electronics devices. Maxim Azarov holds an MBA in Product Management from the Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts, USA. Maxim also holds a Master of Sciences degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and a PhD in Physics of Atmosphere and Hydrosphere from the Central Aerologic Observatory of the Russian Federation.

Pavel Rogozhin joined Rambler in November 2008 as Head of its Communication Products. Since then, Pavel contributed to upgrade Rambler’s mail services as well as launch new services such as Rambler’s open social networking platforms MyRambler and Virtus. Pavel also has a solid experience of the internet having successfully managed internet events and consulted on the launch of several start up projects in Russia. Pavel holds a degree in Electronic instruments and devices from the Tambov Institute of Instrumentation.

Olga Turischeva, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer commented: “We are delighted to welcome Maxim to Rambler and to appoint Pavel to a new role. Both of them are part of a new breed of Rambler managers, whose focus is to develop high quality and innovative products at the heart of our corporate brand values, thus unifying our product strategy with our users in mind, and strengthening Rambler’s position as a leading internet portal in Russia. We also intend to encourage innovation by allowing our employees to develop new ideas and fulfill their goals within Rambler”.