Michael Leeds, a 1974 ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder College of Business graduate and former CEO of CMP Media Inc., will speak May 12 at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder MBA graduation ceremony.
He will address "Realities of the ‘New EconomyÂ’ and the Importance of Ethical Behavior in the Business World" at the 6 p.m. ceremony in Macky Auditorium on the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder campus.
Leeds recently completed the sale of CMP Media Inc. to a British media firm and became the former president and CEO of the company. Under his leadership, CMP evolved from a privately held publisher of trade publications to a public company that provides critical information to a broad spectrum of the high-tech market through a mix of trade newspapers and magazines, paid-circulation publications and online services.
"We are proud to have such a successful and accomplished executive speak to our graduates," said College of Business Dean Steven Manaster. "Michael LeedsÂ’ career is inspirational. His discussion on "Realities of the New Economy" explains how traditional business values still have relevance in todayÂ’s new economy. The speech will give our students great motivation as they enter the work force."
Leeds joined CMP in 1984 to start Business Travel News, the companyÂ’s first travel publication. After 10 successful years in the travel business, the travel publishing unit at CMP was sold to devote the companyÂ’s resources to the technology market.
Prior to joining CMP, Leeds was publisher at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, marketing director at Ziff-Davis Publishing, director of publications for the U.S. Parachute Association, editor of Parachutist magazine and business manager for the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Daily.
Leeds lives in New York with his wife, Andrea, and their three children.