Former LA Times publisher named CEO of Chopra-backed media company

Fox market wire/Aug 7, 2000

Kathryn M. Downing, former publisher of the Los Angeles Times, has been named CEO of MyPotential Inc., a startup that will produce books, television programming and Internet content about health and well-being.

MyPotential, co-founded by spiritual counselor and author Deepak Chopra, will formally launch a Web site, MyPotential.com, and other ventures later this year, said Mallik Chopra, daughter of Deepak Chopra and also a co-founder.

Downing started working at the company in July.

"We are so thrilled to have her on board. I think she brings real leadership and vision,'' Mallik Chopra said.

Downing was named president and CEO of the Times in 1998 and was publisher of the Times from June 1999 until April 2000, when Times Mirror Co., the Times' parent, was purchased by Chicago-based Tribune Co.

Before joining the Times, Downing led Times Mirror's legal and medical publishing unit, Mosby Matthew Bender.